History and Community

In ancient Greece and up to the nineteenth century thought about literature is generally identified with thought about poetry. There is a clear concept of poetry, but there is not a concept of literature in the present-day sense of the word. Lyric poetry, of course, was sung; and epic poetry was often chanted to musical accompaniment. These activities were common in those communities. they have their special convention, roles and tasks. In order to be part of the community an indivudal must adhere to all these conventions, roles and tasks. Then they must learn when and how to do what in the community which is something that can only be done if you are constantly involved in the activities of the community. Thus if you want to be good in a particular issue or tasks, you must be in the midst of the activities.

Music was also a main feature in drama: Greek tragedies must have been closer to operas than to modern tragedies in this sense. Thus, since Greek was a great culture and they listen to music in appreciation of their cutural activities, we should listen to music too.