Unity Today

Do you think that our culture still values Unity--and the values associated with the Roman idea of Unity: gravitas, pietas, simplicitas, virtus? What evidence can you cite to support your claim?

Take the Week Off

Honestly, I thought our class discussion so good yesterday that I flat out can't think of anything to ask you! We will pick up the discussion next week!

Oedipus and the Inquiry into Perfection

From what you know about Oedipus now, and what you will know when you finish the play, how do you think the Greeks dealt with the role of Fate in the the human inquiry into perfection? In other words, how much can/could humanity actually do to achieve Beauty, Truth, Freedom, etc. alone?

Inquiry Into Perfection

How do you see the values associated with the value system integrated by the Greek notion of "Inquiry into Perfection" in our culture today? Are those values still valid?

Making New or Keep Old Connections

We have had very good class discussion of how Hector, Achilles, and Ulysses valued connections--old and new. Many of you defended Ulysses' view of connections--to his men, to home, to honor--very well in your homework. What we haven't done, as a class, although some of you have done so on you values-analysis essays, is discuss if you think current culture values connections, both keeping old ones and making new ones. How important is that to us today?

Hector v. Achilles

Who do you think is more heroic, Hector or Achilles, and why? Feel free to use references from Books 6 and 9 of the Iliad and from the movie, Troy. It might be interesting so see how close the Achilles of Troy is to the Achilles we read about in Book 9.

Heroes Today

I’m convinced that heroes exist today but I think the definition of a hero has somehow been tainted. A hero doesn’t necessarily have to be Spiderman, but a hero can be an ordinary person, like a mother that puts her children before herself, a fireman on 9/11, or a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who had a dream. Coming from a mother of two I believe it’s important that the future generation understands that a hero is far more than super powers but a person who is a leader, selfless, and has courage.