The Classical World
When I was a student, the classical world - everything from Gilgamesh to the Dark Ages - bored me silly. I didn't see the people of Greece and Rome as human beings. No, they were teachers, people who wanted me to do better. It never occurred to me that they had no idea that we were (and are) their future. I really thought they knew. The teachers did, of course.
I did everything I could think of to reduce my exposure to classical antiquity. This was largely a matter of avoiding Latin classes. But by the time I got to prep school, I was already sufficiently dubious about my resistance to buy a Latin textbook and try to teach myself something on the side. Nowadays, of course, I am sickened by the thought of the legacy that I might have enjoyed (just as I enjoy the legacy of France's Grand Siècle). But I regarded myself as very clever when I was in school.
Comments
When one is ready, the fascination of a new subject opens for us. In all likelihood, being force-fed information about the Classical era is what turned you off. A good teacher would have slowly seduced his or her students into self-discovery of the ancient world and its relevence to our own, providing guidance and enthusiam. Even chocolate becomes sickening when force-fed...
Do not waste time lamenting the perceived loss due to the callow arrogance of youth. The good news is that there is always a subject of study available to keep us happy and mentally sharp. With age too, comes deeper appreciation; all in all, not a bad situation.
Posted by: LXIV | July 23, 2007 10:41 AM