Virginia Woolf (1882-1941) was one of the most influential writers of the 20th century. Born in London to a prominent literary family, she received a private education that included learning Greek and Latin. Woolf was fascinated by the ancient Greeks and their culture, and often referred to them in her diaries, letters, essays and novels. She also visited Greece twice in her life, in 1906 and 1932, and wrote about her impressions and experiences.

Woolf was a pioneer of modernism and experimented with different forms and techniques of writing, such as stream of consciousness, nonlinear narrative, and multiple perspectives. She also wrote about topics that were considered taboo or controversial at the time, such as feminism, sexuality, mental illness, and war. Some of her most famous works include Mrs Dalloway (1925), To the Lighthouse (1927), Orlando (1928), A Room of One’s Own (1929), and The Waves (1931). She wrote an essay, “On Not Knowing Greek” about the importance of learning Greek to really understand the meaning of the ancient texts, watch the video below for that:

Greek influences on Virginia Woolf

Woolf’s interest in Greek literature, mythology and poetry can be seen in many of her works. For example, in Mrs Dalloway, she uses the myth of Persephone and Demeter to explore the themes of life and death, and the contrast between the underworld and the upper world. In Orlando, she creates a fantastical biography of a gender-bending character who lives for centuries and meets several historical figures, including the poet Alexander Pope and the Greek princess Sasha. In A Room of One’s Own, she imagines a fictional sister of Shakespeare, Judith, who is denied the opportunity to write and express herself, and compares her to the Greek poet Sappho, who was celebrated for her lyrical poetry. In The Waves, she uses the image of the sea and the sun as symbols of the cycle of life and the passage of time, and draws inspiration from the Greek chorus and the Homeric hymns.

Woolf was also influenced by the works of other writers who were inspired by the Greeks, such as George Eliot, Matthew Arnold, Oscar Wilde, and T.S. Eliot. She admired their ability to reinterpret and reinvent the classical tradition for the modern age, and to use it as a source of creativity and criticism. She also engaged with the contemporary debates and issues surrounding the study and appreciation of the classics, such as the role of gender, class, and imperialism in shaping the reception and interpretation of the ancient texts.

Woolf suffered from bouts of depression and anxiety throughout her life, and committed suicide in 1941 by drowning herself in the River Ouse. She left behind a legacy of literary innovation and cultural influence that continues to inspire and challenge readers and writers today. She is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most original voices of English literature.