Final answer:
The question addresses the intersection of history and literature, focusing on how historical context can deepen one's understanding of literary works. College students are encouraged to make these connections to enhance both historical and literary comprehension. New Historicism is an approach that emphasizes the reciprocal influence of history and literature.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question seems to revolve around the relationship between history and literature, specifically how historical context can inform the understanding of literary works. When studying literature, history is an essential backdrop that can provide depth and clarity to the narrative, themes, and characters. For example, understanding the history of Elizabethan England could provide insight into Shakespeare's plays, while knowledge about the Irish struggle for independence can inform the reading of Yeats's poetry.
Making connections between history and literature can enhance the comprehension and appreciation of both disciplines. Examining poetic narratives like "Bajadas" by Francisco Cantu or "Hamlet" by William Shakespeare with a historical lens can reveal layers and complexities in these texts that might otherwise be overlooked. Applying a theoretical lens, such as New Historicism, one can explore how literature not only reflects historical realities but also contributes to shaping them. This approach contrasts with earlier scholarly views that treated history as a static list of events and facts.
The importance of connecting literature to other fields is underscored by exercises from some college-level textbooks, which encourage students to jot down examples from previous classes where literature and history intersect. This fosters a multidisciplinary understanding and allows students with different interests, such as sports or environment, to apply their perspectives to literary analysis.