Characteristics of Ancient Literature from the Iliad

The Iliad presents several features of ancient literature. The first one is the presentation of the narration in the form of an epic poem. It is a single narrative episode describing the events of the Trojan War, which took ten years in a span of ten days period. There is a Greek heroic idea included in the narration, name of Achilles, who was the most significant Greek warrior, also the central character in the story. The poem describes Greek histology through the story of the Trojan War, which represents a crucial event in Greek mythology. The Iliad also presents a tragic drama, which is part of ancient literature. The war is presented in an exaggerated way because it took ten years, which is long for a normal battle. The war was as a result of a disagreement between goddesses Aphrodite, Athena and Hera, part of Greek history. 

Characteristics of Renaissance Literature 

Shakespeare's Julius Caesar illustrates aspects of Renaissance literature. The first element is use of the theater. Shakespeare wrote Julius Caesar in the form of a play, where he reworked the characters and events, which his audience would relate. Julius Caesar plays portrayed the actual events in Roman history, set in 44 BC in Rome. The other element is the use of mythology and the classical tradition. The play revolves around the conspiracy of assassinating Julius Caesar so that he could not become a dictator in Rome. The conspiracy was organized by recognized figures in Rome, Brutus and Cassius. Humanism is the other aspect, and it revolves around friendship, patriotism and honor. As the play ends, Brutus is referred to as “the noblest Roman of them all” an indication that his mission was to save Rome from dictatorship. It indicates that he cared for all Romans and would not want them to suffer, showing humanism.