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1."The Iliad" by Homer 2."The Odyssey" by Homer 3."The Aeneid" by Virgil 4."Beowulf" 5."The Divine Comedy" by Dante Alighieri 6."One Thousand and One Nights" 7."The Canterbury Tales" by Geoffrey Chaucer 8."The Brothers Grimm" 9."The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" by Mark Twain 10."The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald

By BVTPublished about a year ago 8 min read
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1.The Iliad" by Homer:

"The Iliad" is an ancient Greek epic poem attributed to Homer. It tells the story of the Trojan War, a legendary conflict between the city of Troy and the Greek armies. The poem centers around the character of Achilles, a powerful and fierce warrior who is considered the greatest of the Greek heroes. The main plot of the poem focuses on the anger of Achilles, who withdraws from battle after a dispute with Agamemnon, the leader of the Greek forces. This allows the Trojans to gain the upper hand in the war, leading to a series of battles and conflicts that ultimately result in the fall of Troy. Along with its focus on war and battle, "The Iliad" also explores themes of honor, pride, and the human condition.





2."The Odyssey" by Homer:

"The Odyssey" is an ancient Greek epic poem attributed to Homer, and it is the story of Odysseus, a Greek hero, and his journey home after the fall of Troy. The poem describes Odysseus' encounters with gods and monsters, as well as his long and eventful voyage back to his homeland, Ithaca. The poem is divided into 24 books and tells the story of Odysseus's ten-year journey, which includes being held captive by the Cyclops Polyphemus, navigating the treacherous straits of the Siren, and facing the wrath of the sea-god, Poseidon. Along the way, Odysseus faces many obstacles, but he also receives help from the gods, especially from Athena, who helps him throughout his journey. The Odyssey is also famous for its exploration of themes such as hospitality, cunning, and piety. It is also famous for its representation of Penelope, Odysseus's wife, and her struggles to maintain his kingdom and his reputation during his absence.





3."The Aeneid" by Virgil:

"The Aeneid" is an epic poem written by the Roman poet Virgil. It tells the story of Aeneas, a Trojan prince, and his journey to Italy, where he becomes the ancestor of the Romans. The poem is divided into 12 books and narrates the story of Aeneas's journey, starting with the fall of Troy, his wanderings through the Mediterranean and his arrival in Italy. The poem is a blend of history and mythology, and it tells the story of Aeneas's heroic journey through the lens of Roman mythology and history. Aeneas is portrayed as a pious, brave and dutiful hero, who is destined to found Rome. The poem also explores themes such as destiny, piety, and the founding of a great civilization. The Aeneid is considered one of the greatest works of Latin literature and it has had a profound influence on Western literature, art and culture.





4."Beowulf":

"Beowulf" is an epic poem that tells the story of a warrior named Beowulf and his battles against monsters and dragons in Scandinavia. It is written in Old English and is one of the oldest surviving epic poems in the Germanic language. The poem is divided into 3,182 lines and is divided into two parts, the first one is focused on Beowulf's battles with Grendel and his mother, and the second one is focused on his fight with a dragon. The story of Beowulf is set in the 6th century and it tells the story of a warrior who is called to help a Danish king, Hrothgar, who is being terrorized by a monster named Grendel. Beowulf defeats Grendel and his mother and becomes a hero among the people, later in his life, he also defeats a dragon that threatens his own people. The poem explores themes of heroism, leadership, bravery, and the human condition. It is also famous for its representation of the Germanic society, culture, and its values.





5."The Divine Comedy" by Dante Alighieri:

"The Divine Comedy" is an epic poem written by the Italian poet Dante Alighieri. It is divided into three parts: "Inferno," "Purgatorio," and "Paradiso." The poem tells the story of the poet's journey through the afterlife, guided by the ancient Roman poet Virgil. The poem begins with Dante being lost in a dark forest and being confronted by three beasts that block his way. Virgil appears to guide him through Hell, where Dante encounters various sinners and their punishments, then through Purgatory where the souls are being purified before reaching Heaven. In the final part, "Paradiso," Dante reaches the realm of Heaven, where he sees God and the souls of the blessed. Throughout his journey, Dante encounters many historical and mythical figures, and he also reflects on the state of the Church and politics of his time. The Divine Comedy is considered one of the greatest works of world literature and it is famous for its vivid and detailed descriptions of the afterlife, its exploration of human emotions and its representation of medieval theology and philosophy.





6."One Thousand and One Nights":

"One Thousand and One Nights" is a collection of Middle Eastern and South Asian stories and folk tales, also known as the "Arabian Nights." The collection is made up of a series of stories, told by a queen in order to delay her execution, and it is believed to have been compiled over many centuries and in various languages. The stories are a mix of folk tales, legends, fables, and fairy tales and they include a wide range of characters such as kings, princes, merchants, and genies. The stories are famous for their exotic settings, magical and supernatural elements and their exploration of themes such as love, betrayal, adventure and the power of human wit and intelligence. The most famous stories include "Aladdin and the Magic Lamp," "Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves," and "The Seven Voyages of Sinbad the Sailor." The collection has had a significant influence on literature and popular culture, and it continues to be widely read and adapted in various forms of media.





7."The Canterbury Tales"

"The Canterbury Tales" is a collection of stories written by Geoffrey Chaucer in the 14th century. The book is written in Middle English and it tells the story of a group of pilgrims who are traveling from London to the shrine of Thomas Becket at Canterbury Cathedral. The stories are told as part of a storytelling contest among the pilgrims, and the tales range from serious moral lessons to bawdy and comical stories. The characters in the tales include a knight, a miller, a friar, a merchant, a wife of Bath, a pardoner and many more. Each of the tales is told from the point of view of a particular character and in a different narrative voice. The tales are diverse in genre, including romance, fabliau, saint's life, and mock-heroic poetry. The Canterbury Tales is considered one of the greatest works of English literature, as well as one of the greatest works of the Middle Ages. It is famous for its vivid and realistic portrayal of medieval society, its use of a wide range of literary forms, and its exploration of diverse themes such as love, religion, and social class.





8."The Brothers Grimm":

"The Brothers Grimm" is a collection of German folk tales compiled by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, two German scholars and linguists, in the 19th century. The collection, also known as "Grimm's Fairy Tales," contains over 200 stories that were passed down through oral tradition and were collected from across Germany. The stories were initially intended for children, but they also have great value as a historical and cultural document. Many of the stories have become famous around the world, such as "Cinderella," "Rapunzel," "Hansel and Gretel," "Snow White," "Sleeping Beauty," "Little Red Riding Hood," "The Frog Prince" among many others. These tales are famous for their vivid imagery, their exploration of universal themes such as good and evil, and their representation of German folklore and culture. The Brothers Grimm tales have been widely read, retold and adapted in various forms of media and have become an important part of the literary canon.





9."The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" by Mark Twain:

"The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" is a novel by Mark Twain, first published in 1884. The story is set in the Southern United States and follows the adventures of a young boy named Huckleberry Finn as he travels down the Mississippi River with a runaway slave named Jim. Along their journey, Huck and Jim encounter a variety of characters, including con artists and thieves, and they also experience a wide range of adventures and obstacles. The novel is famous for its vivid portrayal of life on the Mississippi River and its portrayal of Huck's moral development as he grapples with the institution of slavery and his own conscience. The novel is written in a vernacular, colloquial style, which gives it a sense of realism and adds to its humor. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is considered a classic of American literature and is widely studied in schools and universities. It is known for its exploration of themes such as freedom, racism, and the struggle for individuality and self-discovery.





10."The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald:

"The Great Gatsby" is a novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, first published in 1925. The story is set in the fictional town of West Egg on Long Island in the summer of 1922, and it follows the life of the wealthy Jay Gatsby, who throws lavish parties in an attempt to win back his former love, Daisy Buchanan. The novel explores the themes of love, wealth, social class, the decline of the American Dream, and the moral decay of the wealthy during the "Jazz Age" of the 1920s. Through the characters of Gatsby, Daisy, and Nick Carraway, the narrator, the novel examines the idea of the 'American Dream' and how its pursuit can lead to tragedy and disillusionment. The novel is known for its vivid portrayal of the Roaring Twenties and its exploration of the themes of wealth, power, and social status. The Great Gatsby is widely considered a classic of American literature and is studied in schools and universities around the world. It is celebrated for its lyrical, poetic prose and its powerful exploration of the human condition.

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