Blinded by Pride

We began our last class of the day today by sharing our Renaissance and 17^th Century Poetry Assignment. We had a good mix of choices, including carpe diem and regret poems, sonnets (Holy and not), and responses to poems. It was a good time for us to display our creativity and rhyming skills. We also received a marble for our work!

Once our poetry was read, we talked about the unit test and a take-home essay. We established that both would be assigned for the end of November (see below for exact dates).

Following this brief side track from literature (although related and very important), we read Milton's On His Blindness poem. The only part of the human body that has no blood supply is the cornea in the eye -- it receives oxygen directly from the air outside the body. We found it challenging to think about what Milton was telling us through his use of Biblical reference and his own thoughts. We eventually concluded that though our talents may be stripped from us, it is all to the glory of God and we can still serve Him, even if we can't see it right away.

We then moved on to Paradise Lost. We discussed the questions, especially the confusion regarding Question One. It was mentioned that the "beginning" of the epic may not refer to the beginning of this book -- rather, that this entire book was the beginning (first out of ten books). We continued reading after the questions, and finished up to line 124.

Thus concluded our Literature class for November 6th.

HOMEWORK:

 - The Unit Test on the Renaissance is currently set for Thursday, November 22nd. This date is subject to change, depending on how far along we get in the coming classes.

- The take-home essay will be due on Thursday, November 29th. This date is not subject to change, as we have already read almost all the topics given out (refer to the sheet titled "Take Home Essay" for page references and topics).

- Read Paradise Lost and do the questions up to and including #24 (this means, you can stop reading once you have answered that question, at line 191).