Please read Chapters 15-19 of Machiavelli's The Prince (either pp. 84-104 of the Signet edition or at the link below).
Renaissance humanists had a very positive view of mankind. They greatly appreciated past human achievements, and had an exceptionally high view of human potential . Read through some of Pico della Mirandola's Oration on the Dignity of Man at the link below. Cite a line or two that particular well illustrates Pico's "humanism," i.e., either his appreciation for the past or his optimism about human potential. As an alternative, just cite a line that you particularly like from this work and explain why you like it.
Read Boccaccio's account of the plague in Florence at the link below. What can you tell about Boccaccio's values and concerns from this account? In what ways might seeing the kinds of things he describes affect his writing and his general view of life?
Passover this year actually begins on April 20, but the CICS group asked for an earlier date for my annual presentation of passover traditions. I'd appreciate feedback from those of you who attended the presentation. What parts of the presentation were the most fun for you, and what would you like to see more of if we did a "real" passover seder in late April?
Many of my students seem to think Socrates' questioning frivolous, that, like the Sophists, he is simply playing with words. Do you think that's what he is doing in this dialogue? Is he simply trying to make a fool of Euthyphro? Or is there a purpose in this conversation? You might note what Euthyprho is about to do when Socrates interupts him, and note what practical problems Socrates himself faces. Any connections to the subject of this dialogue?
The Greeks regarded the words of their great playwrights as "theopneutos," i.e., God-breathed. Do you agree? Cite a line or two from Euripides' "Trojan Women" that might show why the Greeks regarded writers like Euripides as almost equivalent to prophets. Explain why you find this line/these lines inspired or inspiring.
In understanding Ancient India, you may find it helpful to look at some of the online adaptations/summaries of works we talked about in class. You might find useful, for instance, this Retelling of the Ramayana or this translation of the Code of Manu. Take a look at one of these sources. What do you find in this source that helps show India as a "road not taken" by Western Civilization?
