Tuesday, 8/20 - Finish Leithart Intro Tonight

• P&P

• Discuss J2

• Read

Think about the following questions as you merely read the rest of Leithart's Introduction.

J 3 – Heroes (35-38): “Hesiod, Homer, and Moses” / “Conclusion”

“Hesiod, Homer, and Moses”

1.      Outline/discuss Leithart’s rationale for a “Christian reading of ancient pagan literature” that “arises from a biblical understanding of ancient history.”

2.      Explain how the Medieval Church often mishandled “the inheritance of the pagan classics,” and give one example.

3.      In what way were they correct with their handling of said texts?

4.      What are the only two options available concerning the relationship between Scripture and all other stories? And if you think there is a third option, try and justify your thinking.

“Conclusion”

5.      What has the church historically believed about the “devil’s stories” and what should be her relationship to them?

6.      What is your favorite quote from this reading?

  

Monday, 8/19 - Get a light heart

"What has Jerusalem to do with Athens?"

• P&P

• J1 - discuss  

• Begin HW

HW (At least read the pages below for tomorrow's discussion. If you'd like to stay ahead of the game, finish the journal. Finish the journal for Wednesday at the latest):

J2 - Heroes (29-35): “Our Stories and the Story of God”

1.      What is Leithart's goal in writing this book?

2.      Leithart claims that biblical parallels or "archetypes" can and should be found in pagan literature. What line of argument does he make (pg 30) concerning creativity?

3.      What does Leithart claim is the aspect of being created in God's image that is commonly forgotten? What are those most commonly mentioned?

4.      What about God's (and man's) "making/creating" is different from that of the animals? He (and we) create(s) unnecessary things that display an unnecessary beauty."

5.      What is his line of argument that concerns story?

6.      What are the three “books” of God? 

7.      What is the basic “story” of Scripture that contains all other stories and that all other stories somehow reflect, albeit sometimes in warped (pagan) ways?

8.      What is your favorite quote from this journal’s reading?

 

Friday 8/16 - So we begin . . .

• P&P

• Finish discussion from yesterday

• Begin HW (Journal) below 

HW (Mon 8/19): 
Make sure that you order a copy of Peter Leithart's Heroes of the City of Man: A Christian Guide to Select Ancient Literature. Also order Stanley Lombardo's translation of Hesiod's Works and Days and Theogony (one book). Both of these books are only available in hard copy (not hard cover). All other electronic/hard copy purchase decisions are up to you. Please see the links on the right column of the blog for book info. Many books are cheaper if purchased used. Some overall orders are cheapest if you order everything from Amazon, since order over $25 qualify for free shipping. For Monday, begin reading Leithart and do assignment below (I will post a scanned copy of the first chapter on Moodle by Friday):

J1 (Journal) Heroes (Heroes of the City of Man) (13-23): “Intro” / “The Problem with the Classics”)

1.What did church father Tertullian mean when he asked the question, “What has Athens to do with Jerusalem?”

2.Why does Peter Leithart quote Tertullian? Why is Tertullian's question apropos for today, according to Leithart? 

3.What little (actually huge) bone does Leithart pick with the authors of Who Killed Homer? and why?

4.Cite two examples of biblical heroes of the faith using pagan literature?

5.What did St. Augustine mean by "plunder the Egyptians"?

6.What are some of the difficulties/pitfalls to plundering the classics?

7.What are three of Leithart's premises (reasons) for why Christians should study the classics?
8.Do you take issue with any of Leithart's premises or conclusions? If so, which one(s) and why? If not, what is your favorite insight of his?

Thurs 8/15 - Why are you taking this class?

St. Augustine of Hippo - Spoiling the Egyptians

Hello! And welcome to Classical Literature, the MV English class designed for people who love to read good books, discuss said books, and not have to take quizzes on, say, what a gerund is.

If you are in this class and you hate reading, I strongly encourage you to change your schedule. (Pause). If you hate reading and you're still here, you must be a fighter, and fighting is what we will be reading about, so you're in good company.

Now that we have that settled, please take about ten minutes to write down responses to the following questions:

1. Should Christians study ancient pagan literature?
2. Why should Christians study it?
3. Is there a Christian approach to reading these texts? If not, explain. If yes, answer the question below.
4. What would a Christian approach consist of, look like?
5. What do you most look forward to in this class?
6. What ancient texts have you read before?

Tuesday, 5/14 - Not Much More Ado

• P&P

• Finish le play

HW: study for a Much Ado test for tomorrow. 

Block, 5/10 - The Rotten Orange

"I must confess Keanu is the best of all us actors; how I envy him."

• P&P

• Read Much Ado

HW: Finish Leithart on Much Ado and take notes. This will be the final HW assignment of the course. Enjoy!

"You know you should bow down and worship me, down prostrate 'fore my stone-faced altar here."

 

Block, 5/3 - lotz ta do about nada

• P&P

• Read Much Ado.

HW: Read and take notes on the first installment of Leithart on Much Ado, through page 258.