9/11 Memorial misuses Virgil quote

[thesaurus]

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/07/opini ... er.html?hp

I thought this was an interesting and relevant read, especially given the number of requests for Latin/Greek quotes that people make. In the age of soundbites, I guess context doesn't count for much.

[Kasper]

On the contrary, context counts for all in this instance, and the present context is the commemoration of those who died on 9/11.

One would be hardpressed to find a worthy line in a roman poem about an airplane crashing into a skyscraper. The criticism in the article seems to be typical of those academics whose sole aim is to make some display of their "useless, and pointless, knowledge" (to use another quote).

[thesaurus]

On the contrary, context counts for all in this instance, and the present context is the commemoration of those who died on 9/11.

One would be hardpressed to find a worthy line in a roman poem about an airplane crashing into a skyscraper. The criticism in the article seems to be typical of those academics whose sole aim is to make some display of their "useless, and pointless, knowledge" (to use another quote).

I agree that it's hard to find an adequate quote, and that this is largely a classicist's pet peeve. However, if we're only concerned with the present context, I don't see a need to quote anything. Why do we need to take a line from a Roman poet? Why not just invent a new sentence for the occasion? They could have a submission contest for New York poets, or something like that.

I think quoting a canonical literary work is an attempt to create a sense of culture and elevation, so you leave yourself open to literary scrutiny if you go down this road. Plus, you leave yourself vulnerable to academic types with nothing better to do. Creating a new statement seems to get around this.

[edonnelly]

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/07/opinion/07alexander.html?hp

I thought this was an interesting and relevant read, especially given the number of requests for Latin/Greek quotes that people make. In the age of soundbites, I guess context doesn't count for much.

Her logic doesn't seem at all persuasive to me. I think the quote is rather appropriate and works well.

[pster]

I think choosing Virgil was appropriate, but I could probably find a better quote from him.

[calvinist]

Thesaurus, I think using a quote from a Roman author is very valid. The US was born out of the Renaissance and the Enlightenment, which reached back to ancient Rome and Greece. It's no accident that the White House has neo-classical architectural influences. In fact, this very website probably wouldn't exist had Rome and Greece not enjoyed the sense of adoration in the West that is the very reason that a quote from Vergil was chosen for such a monument.