I realize that this post is pretty late (and short) and I didn't write anything last week so...sorry about that.
November 3--7th, 2014
The Dream of the Rood: So I had to read this for everyone over lunch on Monday and try to sound like an Anglo-Saxon bard. That proved a little difficult, because someone saying "Please pass the chicken" during your attempt at a dramatic pause kind of ruins the effect. All the same, I like how dramatic this poem is. I also thought it was interesting how similar this idea is to a modern writing prompt many writers use: telling a story (in this case, the crucifixion) from the point of view of a character no one really thinks about. Of course, the cross (or 'rood') is a very important element in the crucifixion story, but no one thinks about what it would have said if it could have talked. The rood is an interesting character. It sounds honored to have Christ hanging from it, making itself sound like a sort of throne for Him.
The Correspondence of St. Boniface:
Letter #1: I wish I could write persuasive essays like St. Boniface. He quotes Scripture eleven times (I counted) and obviously is passionate about what he's writing about. He says: "Can there be a more fitting pursuit in youth or a more valuable possession in old age than a knowledge of Holy Writ? In the midst of storms it will preserve you from the dangers of shipwreck and guide you to the shore of an enchanting paradise and the ever-lasting bliss of the angels." That was probably a whole lot more effective than just saying "don't do drugs, stay in school" like we say now.
Letter #3: This letter from Pope Gregory III makes St. Boniface sound like a government agent going on a secret mission. I think Christians took evangelization a lot more seriously at that time than we do now. I also like the line "bound by the shackles of paganism".
November 3--7th, 2014
The Dream of the Rood: So I had to read this for everyone over lunch on Monday and try to sound like an Anglo-Saxon bard. That proved a little difficult, because someone saying "Please pass the chicken" during your attempt at a dramatic pause kind of ruins the effect. All the same, I like how dramatic this poem is. I also thought it was interesting how similar this idea is to a modern writing prompt many writers use: telling a story (in this case, the crucifixion) from the point of view of a character no one really thinks about. Of course, the cross (or 'rood') is a very important element in the crucifixion story, but no one thinks about what it would have said if it could have talked. The rood is an interesting character. It sounds honored to have Christ hanging from it, making itself sound like a sort of throne for Him.
The Correspondence of St. Boniface:
Letter #1: I wish I could write persuasive essays like St. Boniface. He quotes Scripture eleven times (I counted) and obviously is passionate about what he's writing about. He says: "Can there be a more fitting pursuit in youth or a more valuable possession in old age than a knowledge of Holy Writ? In the midst of storms it will preserve you from the dangers of shipwreck and guide you to the shore of an enchanting paradise and the ever-lasting bliss of the angels." That was probably a whole lot more effective than just saying "don't do drugs, stay in school" like we say now.
Letter #3: This letter from Pope Gregory III makes St. Boniface sound like a government agent going on a secret mission. I think Christians took evangelization a lot more seriously at that time than we do now. I also like the line "bound by the shackles of paganism".
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