I know to start with the Greeks. If I want to read Finnegans

the western canon

>>7887290
Everything. It would quicker to list what you don't need.

>>7887307
>>7887302
these posts would be good starters

the latins

Start by learning French, Gaelic, Greek, Latin, Italian, Triestino, Norwegian, and German.

>>7887290
How about you read Finnegans Wake once, and anytime something comes up that makes you think of something you note and make a reading list you move through before your second reading?

If you're going to hype a book, at least hype it right.

>>7887290
>reading finnegans wake for the plot
You're supposed to appreciate the words, deciphering the plot/references isn't as fun as just sub-vocalizing every syllable and giggling at how nice it sounds

You will never be ready for the wake desu.
Best you can do is read the Western Canon an learn some parts of the languages which appear in the book

>>7887464
I read it for the character development. Is there a problem here?