Literature is one of the earliest and fundamental streams of education. Along with science and commerce streams, literature is widely acknowledged as a main stream of studies worldwide. The introduction to literature is made very early in a student's academic career. All the academic institutions in the world have literature as a main course of study at all levels. Introduced at the primary level, literature stays all along the academic tenure of a person. Now this stream differs from other major streams on one crucial aspect. It deals with language.
Language and literature are related to each other and the language acts as a vehicle of literary expressions. Since there are so many languages in the world, the range of literature is truly incredible. Almost all the official languages in the world have their own brands of literature. Western literature is one of the prominent and most cultivated brands of literature in the world. Education in Western Literature is not a new concept. It has been there since ages. In fact Education in Western Literature is based a great deal on English language.
Etymologically, western literature involves the literary tradition which is based on the Indo-European group of languages. Europe being a big continent with so many countries has a huge diversity in terms of language and literature. Countries such as France, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Ireland, Greece, Germany, Portugal, Denmark and last but by no means the least the United Kingdom (including Scotland) speak different tongues and each one of these nations has a glorious cultural as well as literary tradition. France, for instance, has always been inundated by outstanding literary creations. The expression of aesthetic values in literature can be seen in the French literature. Majority of the modern and post-modern literary theories have their origin on the French soil. Education in Western Literature owes a lot on French literature.
The Greek literature is one of the earliest forms of western literature. The masterpieces of Greek literature have been translated into numerous languages. Greek literature is home to some of the greatest tragedies (literary form) ever written. The mentionable tragic dramas include Sophocles, Oedipus, Antigone, etc. You cannot rule out the resourceful Greek literature if you attempt to discuss Education in Western Literature.
In addition to the Indo-European group of languages, western literature also takes within it periphery a few other languages that are originated in places or countries geographically closer to the mainland Europe. Mentionable examples include the Hungarian literature, Basque literature and so on and so forth. These brands too form an inseparable part of Education in Western Literature.
The Western Canon is widely regarded as the best manifestation of western literature.
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