Why Has The Odyssey Endured For Centuries As The Single Most Popular Book In Western Civilization?
What issues does not result in the book that make it so popular and easy to read on?
Categories: Uncategorized book, Centuries, Civilization, Endured, Most, Odyssey, Popular, Single, Western
I don’t think that the Odyssey can be said to be the single most popular book in Western civilization.
The most popular book in western civilization is the Bible, not the Odyssey.
The popularity of the Odyssey is mainly due to its place in classical education, and this is because it is, of the few surviving writings from Classical Greece, the most important.
It is not only considered for its artistic qualities but also for its historical and archaeological value.
ETA:
Also, you are wrong to think that the popularity of the Odyssey has been linear thorough time, it certainly wasn’t during the medieval era or Dark Age, it started to regain popularity only since the Renaissance era with the Humanist movement and the ‘rediscovery’ of Antiquity; although it could be said that enlightened minds have always had an appreciation for the work, even with its pagan theme.
I would venture to say that it is because of its universal themes:
Overcoming adversity, fighting for your desires, etc.
Anyone can relate.
Its a good story, has a nice happy & bloody ending. A tale of a man who would return to his love.
Monks in the medieval period also used it to copy & thus learn greek.
But it isn’t the most popular book by sales. Sadly, the Bible has that honor.