Homer and Shakespeare

Homer and Shakespeare

“…the names of Homer and Shakespeare are consecrated.” (pg. 2)

Homer was famous Greek story-teller who created and told what we now call the Iliad and the Odyssey. These two epic poems have long been considered radically important to the development of literature as a whole. Both works take their plot and form it around the Trojan War, a possibly fictional battle between the Trojans and Greeks. The Iliad and Odyssey both feature heavy themes including bravery, glory and identity.


Shakespeare has long been considered the greatest English playwright. Famous throughout for his tragedies, comedies and histories, Shakespeare is still studied (some would say ad nauseum) in most schools across the world. Shakespeare has also defined many archetypes in the modern world such as the classic romantic (“He’s such a Romeo”), the over-controlling wife (Lady Macbeth) and any power-hungry ruler (Macbeth or Claudius).

Credit/Links: http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/MINOA/HOMER.HTM