Exploring the World of Literature: From Classics to Modern

A Journey Through Time and Space of Literature

Literature, the art of language, has always accompanied humanity for thousands of years. From ancient oral stories to modern massive novels, literature reflects the true society, people and timeless issues of life. This article will explore a small part of this vast world, from classic works to contemporary literary trends.

Classical Literature: The Source of Creation

Homer with Iliad and Odyssey, two immortal epic works of ancient Greece, opened a new era for world literature. The stories of heroes, wars and love still resonate today. Shakespeare, with immortal plays such as Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, created a peak in the art of drama. His works are still staged and studied worldwide. It’s impossible not to mention The Tale of Kieu by Nguyen Du, a masterpiece of Vietnamese literature, with exquisite poems, which realistically portrays the fate of people in feudal society.

Modern Literature: Continuous Development

Entering the 20th and 21st centuries, modern literature has undergone significant changes. The emergence of literary schools such as realism, romanticism, surrealism has brought new and diverse perspectives on life. Ernest Hemingway with his concise, powerful writing style in works like The Old Man and the Sea, Gabriel García Márquez with the magical realism in One Hundred Years of Solitude, or Haruki Murakami with his mysterious, profound novels… are all representative examples of modern literature.

Contemporary Literary Trends

Today, literature continues to develop with many new trends. The use of diverse language, combining realistic and unrealistic elements, focusing on hot social issues… are all characteristic features of contemporary literature. The development of technology has also significantly impacted literature, with the emergence of new literary forms such as online literature, digital literature…

The Importance of Literature

Literature is not only a form of entertainment, but also a means for us to understand more deeply about life, people and the world around us. It helps us improve our vocabulary, develop our thinking, and nourish our souls. Reading books and interacting with good literary works is a great way to broaden our horizons and improve the quality of life.