Author Archives: s.husain

Now, in our times, we could use the word Hamlet the way Shakespeare used the character Hamlet. Realistic humanism is something Shakespeare brings forth in his plays, where characters are not portrayed one-dimensionally. Thus, the character Hamlet is dynamic like a real human … Continue reading →

1) A devaluation of our existence: Dante’s Infernal vision of the afterlife makes the implication that the human Will, when exposed to the knowledge of non-being (death), is the foundational principle of morality. Sophocles expresses the same principle in his Antigone. Both … Continue reading →

The first realization that comes to a reader, who has never read this epic before, is that this Divine Comedy is not completely theological (and sadly not a joke book). The second realization the reader comes to is that this … Continue reading →

It is related, O happy King, that the first old man with the deer approached the demon and, kissing his hands and feet, said, “Fiend and King of the demon kings, if I tell you what happened to me and that deer, and you find it strange and amazing, indeed stranger and more amazing than what happened to you and the merchant, will you grant me a third of your claim on him for his crime and guilt?” The demon replied, “I will.” The old man said: That deer is my grandson, a former chamberlain to King Khosrau II. Demon, my grandson was married to a woman that came from a humble family and … Continue reading →

Original Text: “I have of late—but wherefore I know not—lost all my mirth, forgone  all custom of exercises; and indeed it goes so heavily with my  disposition that this goodly frame, the earth, seems to me a sterile  promontory; this most excellent canopy, the air, look you, this brave  o’erhanging firmament, this majestical roof fretted with golden fire,  why, it appears no other thing to me than a foul and pestilent congregation  of vapors. What a piece of work is a man! how noble in  reason! how infinite in faculty! in form and moving how express and  admirable! in action how like an angel! in apprehension how like a  god! the beauty of the world! the paragon of animals! And yet, to me,  what is this quintessence of dust? man delights not me; no, nor woman neither…” First Translation: I have, as of late- I do not know why- lost all my joy and ceased all my physical activities. Yes, this mood of mine … Continue reading →

The assumption preceding the “Ode of Man” was that a man must’ve buried the body of Polyneikes. Kreon doesn’t assume anyone other than a man to do this deed (“What are you saying? What man would dare do this?” (line 281)). The ode then starts to praise man’s will-to-power over nature and all … Continue reading →

Introduction: The Odyssey, which stands as one of the pillars of early Greek tradition, speaks to us with a strong emotional appeal and showers us with experiences that are radically different from ours. Through the prism of literary realism, The Odyssey’s relevance … Continue reading →

Focus: It has been said that epics like The Odyssey were the cornerstones of Ancient Greek life, thus creating a consilience between literature and life- actual life. I endeavor to find what sort of message the episode of Hades/Death gives … Continue reading →

“Hear me, Poseidon, blue-maned Earth-holder, If you are the father you claim to be. Grant that Odysseus, son of Laertes, May never reach his home on Ithaca. But if he is fated to see his family again, And return to … Continue reading →

“You know how precious a father’s life is To children who have seen him through a long disease, Gripped by a malevolent spirit and melting away, But then released from suffering in a spasm of joy.  The land and woods … Continue reading →