The salvation of the Classics: Faithful adaptations to the original

Abstract

In this essay I intend to outline a possible procedure to adapt with accuracy a classical text, having as a main goal the transmission of the treasures it contains, but with an absolute respect not only towards the oral story, but also to the unique perception of the tale. The classical philosophers established monere et delectare as the main goal for literary creation; we cannot forget this: texts always intend to make a learning, and what we have to achieve is also an enjoyment for the nowadays reader. I will use as an example of this theoretical exposition the difficulties I have encounter in the many classical adaptations to children and students I have published, and also in the forms I have looked for to give them an appropriate solution.