Category Archives: Literature

Why I do not want to be the King of Scotland

Posted on February 25, 2020 by marklangley

I’m not so certain that I want to be king of Scotland anymore. After reading The Tragedy of Macbeth with my students, I am having a difficult time shaking off a sense that life is meaningless when worldly ambition is the governing principle. … Continue reading →

Posted in classical education, Literature, Shakespeare, Temptation, truth for its own sake | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Sin is first in the will: a brief lesson in morality from Lady Macbeth

Posted on February 20, 2020 by marklangley

Of all the authors we should compel our students to read, surely no one is so foolhardy as to demand a reason for reading Shakespeare. I can forgive the one who asks, Why should students read Aeschylus? Or Why do you force them to … Continue reading →

Posted in aeschylus, Augustine, catholic education, classical education, Literature, Shakespeare, Temptation | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Reading Dickens-Dombey and Son

Posted on August 30, 2015 by marklangley

I finally finished my summer reading, Dombey and Son, clocking in at 1040 pages! That is, if you read the Penguin Classics edition. The Wordsworth Edition that I read was only 808 pages, but if felt like 1040 pages. Don’t get me wrong. … Continue reading →

Posted in classical education, Dickens, Homer Sightings, Literature | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow

Posted on March 22, 2015 by marklangley

I’m not so certain that I want to be king of Scotland anymore. After reading The Tragedy of Macbeth with my students, I am having a difficult time shaking off a sense that life is meaningless when worldly ambition is the governing principle. … Continue reading →

Posted in beauty, classical education, Literature, Seven Fine Arts, Shakespeare | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Attempt And Not The Deed Confounds Us.

Posted on February 27, 2015 by marklangley

Of all the authors we should compel our students to read, surely no one is so foolhardy as to demand a reason for reading Shakespeare.   I can forgive the one who asks, Why should students read Aeschylus? Or Why do you force them … Continue reading →

Posted in classical education, Literature, Shakespeare | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

In Which the Lion and Ox Discuss the Furies

Posted on December 8, 2014 by marklangley

Lion:  That last post about Aeschylus’ Eumenides was too long – and frankly Langley began to lose me when he started talking about conscience. The lengthy citations were no help either. Ox: Yes, the post was rather long-winded. Langley talks … Continue reading →

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Reading Dickens

Posted on June 13, 2014 by marklangley

Every summer I have made it my habit to read a Dickens novel. “Yes,” you say “I have heard that before. The fact is that you have not read a Dickens novel for the past two-if not three summers!” Well … Continue reading →

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Homerus Omnes Docuit

Posted on November 10, 2013 by marklangley

Every serious discussion about Catholic Liberal Education (which I call “Catholic Classical Education” sheerly for marketing purposes) must perforce dwell at considerable length from time to time on Homer and his works- especially the Iliad and the Odyssey. And this is because, as … Continue reading →

Posted in classical education, Literature, Newman, slavery, Wisdom | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Six Characteristics By Which To Identify The Wisest Man

Posted on August 2, 2013 by marklangley

As Heraclitus said (and we never tire of repeating) “If you do not expect the unexpected you will never find it, for it is hard to find and inaccessible.” This is certainly a wise statement. A clear example of its … Continue reading →

Posted in education, Literature, Music, Shakespeare, Wisdom | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

History and Poetry

Posted on April 28, 2013 by marklangley

What has more the character of a scientist, the poet or the historian? That question might appear rather odd I suppose, because in our day we are accustomed to limit the word “scientist” only to those who wear some kind … Continue reading →

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