Camelot Assignment

Thank you for enduring this old-fashioned musical, actually my favorite movie of all time, Camelot. Your job is to look past the campy songs and 60's sensibility to see the depth of the human drama. Watch the actors' faces. The performances are emotionally RICH.

This movie is based on a 1950's novel, which in turn was based on a medieval book by Sir Thomas Mallory. It was, perhaps, the first real novel written in English. Indeed, the legends of King Arthur are some of the most enduring of Western culture. In class we will talk about how the legends got started and how they've changed over the years. Perhaps you have enjoyed retellings of the Arthurian legend in other films.

For your blog, please just comment on your reaction to Camelot. Talk about what you appreciated in the story and/or the performances. Talk about why the film has universal human appeal. Also, you might look for Christian significance -- what do you think the story has to say about human beings, sin, Jesus, salvation, hope, or forgiveness? Your response may be free-flowing, but it should be in reasonably good form (capitalization, etc.).

On Monday, we will likely finish up the movie and do a little creative response. I know how you love creative responses :)

Acts 17

In our final bit of Hellenistic lit, we've looked at Acts 17. Please note the references to the Epicureans and Stoics as well as allusions to two Greek writers:

1) Aratus, The Phaenomena, about the stars/astrology, in which he gives an opening invocation to Zeus, saying "for we are indeed his offspring."

2) Epimenides, Cretica, a poem in which the speaker addresses Zeus:

They fashioned a tomb for thee, O holy and high one—
The Cretans, always liars, evil beasts, idle bellies!
But thou art not dead: thou livest and abidest forever,
For in thee we live and move and have our being.

One final concept to note in this passage -- Paul uses rational logic to make his point. Here's a summary of his argument, after the philosophers ask him to explain his strange stories about the resurrected Jesus:

1) We both worship a deity

(PROOF= your idols, temples, and altar to an unknown god)

2) My deity, unlike yours, does not live in a temple or need your petty sacrifices

3) My deity, like yours, determines our fates

4) My deity, like yours, created "offspring" and "lives and moves" in us

(PROOF= two Greek poets who worshiped Zeus)

5) Therefore, if Point #4 is true, then the real deity could not be a statue in a temple

6) Therefore, my concept of a deity is much stronger, and you should listen up because He is no longer putting up with nonsense and will one day come to judge us all

Wasn't Paul an amazing evangelist? He was well-read, logical, sympathetic, observant, and bold. I hope you will study and remember this passage!

January Book Club Details

Book Club Discussion Guide - Christian Fiction

1) What would you say is the purpose and audience of this book? Do you think the book succeeded?

2) What about the book seems universal or archetypal? In other words, what aspects of the book might be relevant to ANY audience, not just a Christian or Western one?

3) How does this book depict classical Western themes? Here are some we've studied in our Greek and Roman literary selections: fate/providence, rationalism/logic, idealism/realism, democracy/order, etc.

4) Western culture has been profoundly influenced by Christendom. What Christian influences, ideals, or reactions do you detect in the book?

5) Consider your list of literary terms. Can you come up with a few literary observations relevant to the book? For instance, where was the climax of the story? Was there any use of symbol or motif? Last book club, everyone did climax and symbol -- this time, please branch out and use more terms! Consult your "popcorn" booklets.

6) What was the group's opinion of the book? Did you like it or not? Why? Defend your opinions.

For this Friday's book club forum, I will not talk as much as I did last time. All group members need to be prepared to do significant, meaningful talking about their book and the 6 questions. You are allowed to bring snacks to share with the class.

Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, and Stoicism

Please read the first book of Marcus Aurelius' Meditations.

In class, we will view an excerpt from Gladiator, in which Richard Harris portrays Aurelius. The movie's depiction of characters is roughly accurate, but the plot is a fabrication. Wikipedia has a page that explains the similarities and differences between the movie and actual historical record.

Extra credit for those bothering to read this post: Vote in the Stoic and Epicurean polls to the right and comment on this post so I know who voted. I am checking to see if you're making use of this site!!