Role Of Humanism In Greek Literature

Improved Essays
Humanities: Society of Greece
Throughout the course of history, in particularly the society of Greece, it is presumed that the idea of gods and divine supernatural beings have a high importance, especially in their literary works. On the contrary, an impacting theme of humanism is developed throughout many of their works. Similarly, but not limited to; Iliad, Antigone, and Nicomachean Ethics. These three works either emphasizes the human experience at the center of events, counteract their given societal views, or encapsulates the goals of their society.
To begin, the epic Iliad by Homer, emphasizes the society of the Greeks by representing human nature, defining civilization, and showing the moral code they believed in. In short, this epic
…show more content…
In book 1 chapter 7, he states, “The good for man is an activity of the soul in accordance with virtue, or if there are more kinds of virtue than one, in accordance with the best and most perfect kind.” Aristotle connects good life with the idea of virtue and happiness, and how once good life is achieved, we should try to continue to strive for more happiness because life does not end once we achieve our goals, which is a moral Aristotle wanted to represent to the world. Also, it is not just a physical goal that can be obtained but a mental peace of mind should also try to be obtained while living life. These ideals and thoughts that are trying to be exemplified throughout his work can tie into humanism not just of the Greeks but also of our time period as well. We try to become the best person we can ever become by working hard and becoming the best person they will be. During the Greek time, this is the message that he wanted to portray to

Related Documents

  • Decent Essays

    To conclude, Aristotle is a strong believer that in order to live a truly good life, a virtuous person is someone who performs the distinctive activity of being a human. Rationality is our unique activity, that is, the activity that characterizes us differently from animals. Since our rationality is our distinctive activity, its exercise is the supreme good. Moral virtue is simply a matter of performing well in the function of being human. In order to be virtuous, the end of human life could be called happiness (or living well).…

    • 185 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Aristotle was an ancient Greek philosopher, a student of Socrates, and the teacher and mentor to individuals such as Alexander the Great. His influence has spanned the cultures of the world for thousands of years (Shields, 2015). Aristotle contended that a virtuous life was the key to a happy life. For him, virtue was the mean between two extremes. A virtuous person, said Aristotle, was neither excessive nor depleted in his good characteristics and actions.…

    • 842 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    To Aristotle, character is defined by what outcomes or results use desire, the different types of actions we are enjoined to or prohibited from taking, and the habits we may be advised to cultivate within ourselves. For instance, we may feel obligated to pursue a life of duty through some sort of service, or we may feel concern for the public. The Greek ethical proposes, “What is good for man?”. Aristotle believes that ‘eudaimonia’, or happiness, is good for man.…

    • 132 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Miss Evers Boys Sparknotes

    • 1537 Words
    • 7 Pages

    The great philosopher Aristotle believed that being a “good person” is about being virtuous, finding the right balance between the two extremes of character, also known as the ‘golden mean’. He believed that we could all become good by doing…

    • 1537 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Even though Aristotle was not a direct student under Plato at The Academy, he became and developed into one of the most famous Greek philosophers. After his years spent at The Academy, Aristotle developed his moral of philosophy in his book the Nicomachean Ethics. In this book, Aristotle explains the origin, nature, and development of virtues, which are essential for achieving the best and highest good that human beings are capable of, which is happiness. According to Aristotle, happiness is defined as to live well and do well, where virtue is key, but alone it is not enough. In order to be happy, you need full virtue across a complete life, which means that you need to regularly perform all the virtues.…

    • 1602 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Back in history the good life was about none of that. According to Aristotle, the good life is defined by possession and having all that is good for humans throughout their lifetime. In order to live the good life humans needed to acquire these three possession. Bodily goods, which consists of health, vitality, vigor, and pleasure (Aristotle). The second possession all humans need is external goods.…

    • 1148 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    In the epic The Iliad there are many themes that Homer presents. Many of these themes presented can pertain to real life. A main theme of The Iliad is pride Homer presents this theme in multiple ways. In The Iliad, pride is presented in multiple ways such as a Prize of Honor.…

    • 460 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Violence In The Iliad

    • 597 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The Iliad is an epic poem that defines Greek culture as many have said. This epic poem recounts the events of the Trojan war in Greek history. Many themes are presented in this epic through scenes of violence. Many different themes can be identified in Homer’s Iliad, when Achilles and Hector battle.…

    • 597 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Greek myths give people a different way of looking at life and how they live; what views and morals they believe in, their culture, and the society they live in as a whole. It has become extremely important for people to know and understand why the ancient Greek civilization were known as one of the greatest civilization in the ancient times. This civilization worshiped many Greek gods and goddesses. Most of these mythological figures come with some sort of moral or lesson the can be taught. Others tell stories of how things, such as the earth or hermaphrodites, came to be.…

    • 1198 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The gods interact with humans, constituting Greeks to easily approach the epic as a comic relief. Nowadays, the Iliad and Odyssey are the important literature toward the ancient Greece. It contains the history, mythology, and their view regarding their life. Through the epic, Ancient Greeks gained moral lessons and the common set of values- history, heroes, gods, and glory.…

    • 808 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The Greeks are, for the most part, appropriately admired. Although ancient Greek civilization has negative qualities, the advancements they contributed should not be disregarded. Many positive aspects of Greek life, including politics, art, rationalism, and scientific thought, continue to resonate throughout modern society. The negative components in Greek society were mainly issues regarding equality. There were great divides between genders and between socioeconomic classes.…

    • 1330 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The Beginning of Greek Drama and Storytelling Drama and storytelling both played an important role in the Greeks lifestyle. Stories and theatre were used as forms of entertainment and their ideas were passed down from generation to generation. They began orally and were later on transformed into writings. Some of the myths and designs for theatre are used in modern day, and have been modified into the plays produced currently. In addition, there were many different types of writings such as poetry and speeches.…

    • 543 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    “Every art and every inquiry, and likewise every action and choice, seems to aim at some good, and hence it has been beautifully said that the good is that at which all things aim.” As Aristotle makes inquires and deliberates over what is the highest end for the human life, he debates over what constitutes the highest good. Throughout the Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle argues that we aim at some end through our pursuits of action, and that those ends are in some way connected at achieving the highest good. Aristotle suggests the possibility of happiness, translated from the Greek word eudaimonia, which refers to a “state of having a good indwelling spirit or being in a contented state of being healthy, happy and prosperous.” For the one who…

    • 1453 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Essay On Greek Culture

    • 964 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Greek culture had been a huge impact on history, mainly due to their discoveries in education and social standards. Although their culture still live on today, there methods differ from the modern American culture. Greek cultures still lives in modern society in the areas of education, architecture, politics and women in society. Greece educational system was manly dived into three levels, which were primary, secondary, and tertiary. Primary schooling consisted of kindergarten for one or two years from ages 5 to 12.…

    • 964 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Every single person has a different standpoint of what is important to make his or her life a good and happy life, and everyone has the control to make that life possible. Aristotle believed the good life is one which thrives and that individuals live happily and opportunely. Socrates was another philosopher that contributed in the argument on the good life and how it should be achieved. According to Socrates, the good life is one that is not materialistic but rather about the mind of an individual. He argued that an individual with a healthy mind tends to live the good life as compared to that who is wealthy.…

    • 837 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays