Ian Hislop on the importance of Classics

Classics for All Patron, Ian Hislop explains how he got into Classics and why the subject should still be studied today.
This video was made possible through a pro bono studio recording by Penguin Classics (publisher of ‘Little Black Classics’) www.littleblackclassics.com/

[@frankdsouza2425]

We are blessed by having this genius in our midst.

[@jodypritchard5425]

Hilarious

[@imerupp]

Ian Hislop is so intuitive, perceptive and someone to look to as a hero figure in my opinion.

[@astorre3212]

My Latin teacher did exactly the same with the Odyssey, reading it to us at the end of the lesson. I will never forget that story, the messages it provides, just superb. As ever, Mr. Hislop is a voice of wisdom and integrity

[@HO-bndk]

Why would a Latin teacher read the Odyssey?

[@martinstevens5892]

I got into the Classics as a result of y father insisting that I learn Latin, despite never having done so himself. Best favour he ever di me.

[@ThePierre58]

Very good piece... I’m off to the bookshop soon

[@jonathaneffemey944]

Thanks so much for posting.

[@ReallyGottaTap]

I appreciate this upload. Thank you.

[@japeking1]

Classical studies should have their place, an equal place, with all the other realms of study. And drama and music should be up there in the pantheon as well. The key point would be that the delivery should be enthusiastic and without compulsion. Good luck with that.

[@avriljack1893]

I bet Ian was ecstatic with the cricket result today

[@TesterAnimal1]

That aged well. What?

[@suebalmer1506]

Loved the clip and thanks to Ian Hislop for extolling the virtues of studying the Classics but wouldn't you think that those who put the recording together would have corrected their spelling of "Recording". I know, I am a pedant! Sorry!

[@nejuw]

loved learning by rote too. V ery handy

[@stefanpietrzyk8079]

Quite right Ian, but tell me what is Latin for uhmm ?

[@LudvigIndestrucable]

Completely agree about language learning, I had years of language labs and modern engaging approach, learnt nothing and hated it, then had a year of rote learning and actually learned a foreign language.

[@TheKamikazenaz]

What language was it and how old are you now?

[@LudvigIndestrucable]

@@TheKamikazenaz French and German, old enough to know that I'm not answering that question

[@huepix]

Wots "the classics"? Catches from the last ashes series?

[@davidc4408]

If you are lower class or middle class then do a useful stem degree like mathematics, electrical engineering, medicine, dentistry etc if upper class and loaded then sure do classics

[@pulchralutetia]

ITA VERO

[@Andr3Wild3]

Classics are Very Demanding, yet, then (once 1 is in), Truly (and, actually, Overly)--Gifting. Kindly, &AA*.###

[@michaelmoreton5042]

Twirlyhead, I do not agree. My working class mother read the classics too me and in the 50s and 60s every grammar school taught Latin

[@prettytse7762]

CLASSICAL RESONANCE////STANDING ON THEIR SHOULDERS////THE ODYSSEY////

[@howardsend6589]

Classics. “Reconrding”. The irony. :)

[@Grummash]

👏🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣👏🤣👏👏👏👏

[@Twirlyhead]

He's a nice chap for sure but he seems unaware that the _classics_ are the (not so) secret language of the privileged in the UK. It is all about class and the subtleties that keep people in their assigned place. Two upper middle class Brits meet for the first time and each recognises the other's classics steeped self immediately and, equally, they will both recognise the working class guy who is not of their ilk.

[@dorothywilson5855]

So if classics could be available to all.....

[@dorothywilson5855]

This isn’t about class, but about accessibility and possibly academic aptitude

[@TheValeyard92]

So surely what he's suggesting would be a democratisation of the Classics?

[@dogblessamerica]

@@dorothywilson5855 Accessibility is tied to class though. Classics are only deeply taught at private schools. Government policy, ironically set predominantly by Etonians and their ilk, dictates that state schools focus on "employability" and "skills training".... the arts are seen as disposable.

[@SpiderDijon2]

I think the point of the video, and indeed the channel, is that studying Classics is important, intrinsically, and should be more accessible. When I was in high school, twenty-odd years ago, a Higher and Advanced Higher in Classics (Scottish education system) was still offered because we had a teacher who could teach Latin and Greek. He was very elderly at the time so I imagine, if he has not passed away, he is long retired. I would be very, very, surprised if the state school I went to even entertained the thought that it was important to replace him.

[@sanjek]

Maybe he had learnt some science, Private Eye wouldn’t have championed the cause of Andrew Wakefield

[@jodypritchard5425]

Classics should help teach humility, wisdom and rigour, together with a love of truth, justice and beauty. Perhaps Hislop needs to study the subject as his disgraceful interventions calling decent people racist, refusing to expose Saville or publish anything about Muslim rape gangs or any of the endless anti-White atrocities but only too willing to label Tommy Robinson as a Nazi, demonstrate his putrid and rotten character. Mocking the patriotic and traditional including anyone opposed to endless mass migration and shunting non entities into public life via the quotas and special schemes for minorities he supports and initiates. Opposing Grammar schools whilst sending his own two spawn to selective schools and generally being a smug, sanctimonious hypocrite whilst being paid to condemn hypocrisy in others (is this hypocrisy cubed?). An establishment enforcer who pretends to be a satirist. I would love to know what Pope and Juvenal would have made of this nauseating, despicable creature.

[@shugaroony]

Won't take advice from a guy who was rude to Tom Waits.

[@ftumschk]

Do you mean this? "Waits rounded on a hapless Ian Hislop during a glib chat on the TV show Loose Talk. "Could you speak up a little?" Hislop innocently requested, unable to make out a word the gravel-toned Californian was saying. "I'll speak any damn way I please," was Waits' terse response to the future editor of Private Eye." (Source: Mojo magazine interview archived at www.tomwaitslibrary.info) Sounds like Waits was rude to Hislop, not vice versa.

[@northernexciles01]

I saw that interview. I had trouble hearing waits too. Of which I'm glad in a way. Arrogant person that he is.

[@bertharius9518]

How childish.

[@bbqsauce6529]

Classics is bad. Only for boomers

[@cosmichamster9428]

no u

[@rudmanpaul2812]

U ok hun?

[@8.5gc-liber]

William Shakespeare would not been famous if he had not read the Greek classics. The myths and legends told in classical literature were the popular stories in their times and relevant today as they cover all human emotions.