Classic Literature Series--Introduction

Since my sobriety and following my graduation from college, one of my main goals has been to acquaint myself with the cultural history (initially Western, but hopefully veering into Eastern and other cultures as I become more adept and familiar) of great literature.  Although I was an English major in college, I really didn't care too much more about reading than anyone else who merely enjoyed it as a hobby.  Honestly, being forced to read so many books on a strict schedule was a huge turn-off for the rebellious soul in me, so I didn't read a large number of the books I was assigned in college (or I only read them partially).  I have never been a good learner or student when being forced to do something, but I am naturally very curious and obsessed with the acquisition of knowledge when it comes to my own personal interests.  I would much rather have read deeply for my own pleasure, rather than doing so because teachers/my parents/"society" forced me to.  So basically, coming out of college (and this was really one of my main motivations to get sober), I wanted to brush up (or really, paint the first coat of paint, since I hadn't read all too many) on the classics of Western literature.  This is a goal that is easier said then done, of course.  My initial goals are to conquer the two most important texts of the English language: the King James Bible and the works of William Shakespeare.  I am almost done with the Old Testament of the King James, which will be my first entry on here.

The books I'd like to address in this classics series aren't just known for being difficult--they are known for containing the wisdom of the entire human race; for shaping the lives of generations of men and women who have read them, who in turn shaped the rest of the world around them.  The classics perhaps have a reputation as being difficult because they are books that richly reward multiple readings.  They are the type of book that you get more out of with each reading.  That is why they have lasted for hundreds, or in some cases, thousands of years  They are also the type of book that reaps even greater rewards when being discussed and thought about passionately.  This is mostly my reasoning for creating this series.  I don't particularly just want to rant about each book.  What I really want to do is discuss the ideas and the writing of the book with the other readers on here, so that we can get a (Socratic?) dialogue going, which will lead to illuminations we might not have otherwise stumbled upon from these novels, poems, short stories, essays, treatises, plays, or sacred scriptures.  Also, I want to get other people enthusiastic about literature, and hopefully turn them onto some good books.  If nothing else, at least writing about each book will flesh out my own opinions of the work, and what exactly I have taken from it.  Sometimes these things aren't easily seen until one does the actual work of discussing the book.

In a week or so, I will have a post ready about the King James Old Testament.  Everyone, get psyched!

--Edward