Themes in literature can be complex or simple, and a strong reader will look to identify the overarching theme of any literary work he or she encounters. One way to strengthen such skills is to compare works of different literary periods to understand how their similar themes were expressed. This is a good way of gaining a clearer understanding of the historical context of the work and the literary period and is also a good way of learning how themes have varied according to their eras.

For example, any of the universal themes will be expressed differently when they appear in literary works across different time periods. Consider that the theme of “lost paradise,” which appears in the first book of the Bible, also appears throughout literary history. It can be found in each literary period, and right into the modern era. The writer who compares works using this theme will need to identify the ways the texts differ and the methods used by authors throughout the ages to express this concept.

In addition to universal themes, readers might be able to persistently find the classic archetypes in literature. These can include things like epic journeys or tragic flaws as well as many common characters, and they first appeared in the myths of the classical era.

When reading any literary work, it is important to remain aware of the appearance of any of these archetypes because they will often indicate the plot of the story, the potential outcome of a tale, or what the reader might expect from certain characters.

For example, the reader who can analyze or identify the archetypes in mythic, classical, and traditional literature will be able to recognize heroes, shrews, scapegoats, star-crossed lovers, quests, loss of innocence, initiations, and more. He or she will then be able to comment on them when assessing a story from any era.

When seeking to understand theme or genre, it is also important to be able to put any appearances of figurative language into an appropriate context. For example, when a literary work relies on figurative language it might often make it easier to relate that work to its historical or cultural setting.

Consider one of the world’s most well-known users of figurative language: Shakespeare. His sonnets and dramatic works often use the comparisons that are the core of figurative language. And, the words and concepts he selected make it relatively easy to date the works to their historical setting or period. Often, the terms and phrases selected by an author using figurative language will allow the reader to relate the work to its setting or time period.