The term ‘Classic’ casts quite a wide net in the world of literature. From ancient Greece and Rome, through the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, flowing down through dissolved civilizations and more modern cultures, all the way through the 20th century. Some would argue that classic literature is only based on works which are centuries old; others feel that classic literature can easily have been published within the past 50 years. They can also come from various genres and types, from William Shakespeare to Stephen King. There’s no complete way to define a classic piece of literature, since people are subjective. However, there are some basic guidelines that one can follow in order to gain a bit more of an understanding.