Category Archives: Shakespeare

The Ability for Large Discourse

Posted on July 30, 2016 by marklangley

Today we shall content ourselves with a purely intellectual discourse. Why? Because you and I, my dear reader, both possess the ability for large discourse! And as we all know, reaching way back to the vestiges and remnants of learning from our … Continue reading →

Posted in Shakespeare, Wisdom | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

The Purpose of Classical Education – An Unintended Dialogue

Posted on December 23, 2015 by marklangley

Every so often we need to remind ourselves of the point of a classical education. As readers of these pages know, the phrase classical education is just a clever way to cloak our real meaning which is Liberal Education. But present fashions dictate … Continue reading →

Posted in classical education, discussion, Liberal Arts, Newman, Shakespeare, truth for its own sake | 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

Wisely and Slow: Salutary Advice For Students in the New Year II

Posted on December 31, 2014 by marklangley

Today is an excellent day for me to post the salutary advice that I have gathered from the wisest man in the world, with whom, as I have mentioned before, I have a direct (but carefully guarded) line of communication. … Continue reading →

Posted in Shakespeare, Socrates, Wisdom | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

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

The Lyceum: Making the Extraordinary Ordinary

Posted on June 2, 2013 by marklangley

Yesterday The Lyceum celebrated its Ninth Annual Commencement Exercises and as is now traditional the day began with Holy Mass. I think an alternate motto for The Lyceum should be “making the extraordinary ordinary” because that is what happens just … Continue reading →

Posted in classical education, Fine Arts, Music, Shakespeare | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Education And Second Thoughts

Posted on March 30, 2013 by marklangley

As often noted in this ‘little journal’ which is ostensibly about liberal education and the “formation of Catholic liberally educated ladies and gentlemen,” liberal education is supposedly something that frees students. I say “supposedly” because as a high school teacher, … Continue reading →

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Shakespeare and Lying (A Useful Example)

Posted on February 22, 2013 by marklangley

I can’t remember which pope said something to the effect that a thorough reading of Shakespeare constituted a complete education in Ethics. I was struck by that today, reading Macbeth Act iv scene 3. Ross enters fresh from Scotland and … Continue reading →

Posted in Shakespeare | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

γνῶθι σαὐτόν Know thyself

Posted on February 16, 2013 by marklangley

I am reading Macbeth with my ninth grade English Literature class and was particularly delighted with this little nugget of wisdom in Act 4 scene 2. Lady MacDuff has just discovered that her husband has fled and Ross is attempting … Continue reading →

Posted in Literature, Shakespeare | Tagged , , | 5 Comments