A reminder why the "great works" are considered great.
And also a reason why City Journal is one of my favorite publications.
I quite agree. That a 16th-century fellow who spoke a vernacular most modern English-speakers - well, I for one - wouldn't even understand could present human drama in terms that are still relevant argues real genius.
I have, however, once heard a sound I shall never forget - a young classmate intoning "O for a Muse o' fahr, what would ascend da brahtest heaven o' invention..." I swear it wasn't me.