Magdalia and Utilitarianism

I found it interesting that Mags had a very sophisticated look on life for this point of time, and it relates to the thinking of utilitarianism. Ant says that people gain through worldly pleasures but Mags says it is actually through the higher pleasures that one finds true enlightenment. This is cool but strange to me. Its cool because utilitarianism has not truly been an ideal at this point in history, but strange because it is the belief of ethics if their is no God. She clearly has faith in God though, but shares these same views as people who do not. And Julius needs to be slapped...

I commented on Ashley's

Learning = Love

This reading was fantastic! Many people (my mother in particular) have called me snarky at one time or another, but even I could take some serious sass lessons from Magdalia!

But, since her wit has been so thoroughly covered already, I'll try and talk about something else.

We don't know much about Magdalia's husband but we get a couple glimpses... And I love him! In particular, when Antronius says, "I wouldn't want a learned wife," and she responds with, "But I congratulate myself on having a husband different that you. For learning endears him more to me and me to him," I find myself greatly admiring their relationship. My husband and I spend a lot of time together and enjoy doing lots of different things, but one of our favorite things to do is read together. We'll take turns reading something and then we'll spend many minutes, sometimes hours, discussing it and picking it apart. I almost never feel so close to him as when we're learning together. I thought maybe that was just us, but I'm glad to see that we're not such weirdos after all!

P.s. I commented here

Pride

Tonight's reading was great. It's so true that we put so much hope and effort into things that won't last. Both stories showed the value of wisdom, faith, love, etc., and I thought both stories put things into perspective really well. One of my favorite lines in the dialog was when Peter asked that if Christ commanded him to keep out those who cast out demons and prophesied in His name, why would he let in anyone in the name of Julius? Though few of us are as prideful as this Julius fellow, it's an eyeopening statement on the realities of pride.

*Abbie George

She would be an Honors student

Mags would certainly be in Honors.  She has it all right.  I relate to her character, as I assume many in Honors do.   Antronius is everywhere: "I'm wise enough, so far as I'm concerned."  Too many people believe that about themselves, which is sad. 

The brevity of this post is probably unacceptable, but I feel that Magdalia said enough.

***A. Griffin

The Gate Keeper and The One Kept Out

I absolutely loved our readings for tomorrow. While "The Abbot and The Learned Lady" was brilliant, my favorite has to be "Julius Excluded from Heaven." I read this in highschool but reading it a second time was even better. The reason I love it so much is because there is so much great truth expressed by Peter as he completely takes Julius apart.

Of all of the great come-backs, though, the best moment for me is when Peter addresses Julius' outer garments (his keys, his crown, and his cloak). He takes each article and explains how they are unimportant and insufficient for getting him into heaven. But after that Peter makes this remark, "In all of this stuff-the key, the crown, the cloak-I recognize marks of that rascally cheat and impostor who shared a name with me but not a faith, that scoundrel Simon whom I once flung down with the aid of Christ."

Here Peter displays every quality that Julius lacks. He shows a complete knowledge of what things are truly eternal, a great humility in remembering his old self, and a total dependence upon Christ. It is precisely for this reason that Peter is the gate-keeper while Julius is the one kept out of the gate.

P.S. I commented on Abbey's post.

A comical twist on the cave?

As I read this I find myself comparing the text more and more to a comical version of Plato's Cave. Magdilia being female with knowledge of both Greek and Latin representing wisdom, and Antronius being male and skilled in the ways of the land (French, hunting, courtly things) representing a lack of knowledge. Magdalia is trying to "pull" Antronius out of the darkness, however with the twist of the french humor mixed in the story is quite comical.

Abbey

Monty Python?

This text had me rolling with laughter due to the overwhelming snark content. It was like the Monty Python of the middle ages. I understand why it was so wildly popular. I blogged last week about how difficult it is to understand some satire but it was pretty clear in this text.  This text reminded me so much of the scene in Monty Python and the Holy Grail when the knights were standing at the gate arguing with the Frenchmen. All I am suggesting is a deleted scene of the cast acting this text out. It would be phenomenal. 

While these men are bickering at the gate, Julius questions Peters priestly power. Peter responds by saying, "Doubtless  because I'm dead." I don't quite understand why but I love this line.  

I commented on Abbey Griffin's blog!