The Divine Comedy
This book of course was written by a man of the name Dante Alighieri and the version
I read was translated by Allen Mandelbaum. It was
written in about 1320 I think, but the story takes place at the turn of the century
in 1300. Dante does this so that he can write prophecies into his work that
actually come true! It's quite brilliant if you ask me. This book is really a very,
very long poem that is broken up into three different sections. Inferno (which every
one is most familiar with), Purgatorio, and Paradisio. Each of which are broken up into
about 33 different canto's.
The story line starts out with Dante the pilgrim at the base of a mountain along the edge
of a forest. He then is met by the famous Virgil who guides him through the different
layers of Hell. There Dante sees many famous characters from both fiction and non-fiction;
everyone from Popes and kings to mythological figures can be found suffering according to
their own sin. It is interesting to note that all throughout Hell, there is not one person
that is willing to take responsibility for their sin. They are there because of someone
else's fault, not theirs.
Dante the poet then takes us on a journey through the different levels of Purgatory. Here
we find a completely different attitude toward suffering. People being purged according to
their sin recognize the fact that it was their sin, and willfully suffer for the crown ahead.
Next of course we have Paradise. Here Dante sees the nine layers of Heaven and sees and experiences
different graces and glories. Here he is lead by the beautiful Beatrice and it is in paradise where,
in my opinion, the story finds its completion. It is a shame that most people stop at Inferno.
All in all I did enjoy the read. I think it is a very good book to be familiar with, though I
did find it extremely cumbersome to read. All throughout the book, we come across different
political scenes that are references to Florence at that time. These segments were very hard for
me to read mainly because I had no clue what they are talking about. For me, they were stumbling blocks
to the story.
The First Blast of the Trumpet Against the Monstrous Regiment of Women
by John Knox
This piece of work was first published in Geneva in 1558, and as one can easily see was one
of John Knox's most controversial works. He starts his dissertation with a thesis statement that
would enrage the heart of every femi-nazi, which is partly why I read it.
To promote a woman to bear rule, superiority, dominion, or empire above any realm, nation,
or city, is repugnant to nature; contumely [an insult] to God, a thing most contrary to his
revealed will and approved ordinance; and finally, it is the subversion of good order, of all
equity and justice.
Now this does sound a bit harsh to modern ears, believe it or not even mine. However, Knox does
make several valid points both from tradition and the sacred scriptures. The most interesting
to me is the historical interpretations of
1 Corinthians 14:34 and 1 Timothy 2:12 .
In short, Knox claims the ancients applied these verses to all women, not just those in the church.
But, you will have to read and determine for yourself whether or not the arguments are valid.
On the other hand, he does go a little too far,
For who can deny but it is repugnant to nature, that the blind shall be appointed to lead
and conduct such as do see? That the weak, the sick, and impotent persons shall nourish and
keep the whole and strong? And finally, that the foolish, mad, and frenetic shall govern the
discreet, and give counsel to such as be sober of mind? And such be all women, compared unto
man in bearing of authority. For their sight in civil regiment is but blindness; their strength,
weakness; their counsel, foolishness; and judgment, frenzy, if it be rightly considered.
That quote always makes me smile. Here he makes the argument that women are not capable
of leading, and this is of course not true. Knox does much better with his case when he sticks
to the God ordained roles of man and woman rather than capability. Here is another fun quote
that he takes from Aristotle.
For thus writes Aristotle, in the second of his Politics. What difference shall we put, says he,
whether that women bear authority, or the husbands that obey the empire of their wives, be
appointed to be magistrates? For what ensues the one, must needs follow the other: to wit,
injustice, confusion, and disorder. The same author further reasons, that the policy or regiment
of the Lacedemonians (who other ways amongst the Greeks were most excellent) was not worthy to
be reputed nor accounted amongst the number of commonwealths that were well governed, because the
magistrates and rulers of the same were too much given to please and obey their wives. What would
this writer (I pray you) have said to that realm or nation, where a woman sits crowned in
Parliament amongst the midst of men?
This is a quick read and to be done so with a light, but open, heart. Knox does make some
good observations, but if you cannot look past the rhetoric, my advice is not to read it. You
can find the entire work HERE.
At the Back of the North Wind
by George MacDonald
This book was written by George MacDonald, 1824-1905. It has been one of the most enjoyable
fairytales to read so far, right behind the Chronicles of Narnia. It has a great story line and wonderful characters. It is basically MacDonald's
version of the Character, North Wind, and is depicted through the life a small poor boy called Diamond, who was named after
a horse, not a stone. Anyway, I highly recommend anyone read this. It can be found online HERE.
Enjoy!!
Coriolanus
by William Shakespeare
I first started to read Coriolanus because of an article in First Things by Peter J.
Leithart entitled, "The
Politics of Gratitude". If you want a good overview of the work, I think you better read the
first two paragraphs of his article, it it much better than anything I could compose. None-the-less,
I enjoyed the read. It had many a great lines and moving speeches as do most of Shakespeare's plays.
You can probably find it online, but I am too lazy to find the url right now.
The Aeneid
by Virgil
Virgil's Aenied is a continuation of the story of the Trojan people from Homer's Iliad.
According to Greek Mythology, Priam, the king of Troy was told that his son Paris was to cause
the great city of Troy to burn to the ground. So, being the good father that he was, he dumped
him out on the country side. At the same time the gods were having a party. However, one of them
was not invited (I believe it was strife, but don't quote me) and placed a golden apple on the
table which was to be the prize of the most beautiful goddess. So naturally Minerva, Juno (Hera),
and Venus decided it was to be theirs. But no god in heaven was foolish enough to be the judge.
Thus enters Paris. He was called upon to be an impartial judge. And, as men are so naturally prone
to bribery, all three goddess offered Paris a prize for his vote. Minerva offered wisdom and military
glory, Juno offered him true power, and Venus offered him a woman as fair and beautiful as herself.
Paris, not being of Solomon's decent, chose the beautiful woman. And Venus was awarded the prize.
The woman to be was the famous Helen of Troy, though at this time it was Helen of the fair cheeks,
wife of the Greek king Menalaeus. To make a long story short, Paris took Helen and the Greeks came
looking for her at Troy.
Homer gives this account of the battle at Troy in the Iliad. Virgil, in his Aeneid picks up this
story where Homer left off. Within these pages you can find the famous Trojan Horse. Virgil's main
thrust of the book is to tract the many adventures of Priam's descendant, Aeneus, from Troy to Latium,
Italy, where he settles and becomes the ancestor of the Roman Empire. The reason behind this was
to give Rome a heritage. Before Virgil, Rome did not have much of a history as far back as the
Greeks. So, to give Romans credit and an ancient lineage, Virgil wrote a new story of the Trojans.
This is a classic and all who can should read it. My suggestion is to read the Iliad first
in order to get an idea of the characters and story line. You can find an internet copy
HERE.
The Worlds Last Night
by C.S. Lewis
I don't have time at the moment to write anything, so please be content with the table of
contents. My favorite was "Lilies that Fester" and my least favorite was "Religion and Rocketry."
- The Efficacy of Prayer
- On Obstinacy in Belief
- Lilies that Fester
- Screwtape Proposes a Toast
- Good Work and Good Works
- Religion and Rocketry
- The World’s Last Night