The account of human life described and, at times, advocated throughout the Bible is a radically different vision from political philosophy offered to us in the writings of Plato and Aristotle. In the Bible, an infinitely distant God creates the world and then places humans in it. He is an artisan and a poet -He … Continue reading Political Theology in the Bible: An Exegesis
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Deprivation and Excess in The Tale of Sir Thopas and The Tale of Melibee
Chaucer, the pilgrim, is the only member of the group who is allowed to present a second tale on the way to Canterbury. He delivers his second tale following the failure of his minstrel song, "The Tale of Sir Thopas." The second tale is told in prose form. It is about a rich man named … Continue reading Deprivation and Excess in The Tale of Sir Thopas and The Tale of Melibee
The Principle of Exchange in The Shipman’s Tale
The Shipman is a western man, perhaps hailing from Dartmouth (as Chaucer suggests in the "General Prologue"). He is a modest man, riding a cart horse, and wearing a wool cloth with a dagger around his neck. He is a "good felawe." On his way to the pilgrimage had stolen a good deal of wine … Continue reading The Principle of Exchange in The Shipman’s Tale
Jesus and John the Baptist Briefly Mentioned in Josephus
Yosef ben Matityahu, better known by his Latin name Titus Flavius Josephus ("Josephus"), was a Jewish warrior, politician, and documentarian particularly of the early 1st century Jewish wars against the Romans. He came from a wealthy family in Jerusalem. In his twenties he was sent to help negotiate with Roman Emperor Nero for the release … Continue reading Jesus and John the Baptist Briefly Mentioned in Josephus
Perception in Aristotle’s On The Soul
Aristotle's On The Soul (or "De Anima" as the Latins later transcribed it) addresses the question of what it means to be alive. It explores the self-organization of all natural and living things, from the perspective and perception of an observer. The text is a qualified addendum to the Physics, and its corollary is a short … Continue reading Perception in Aristotle’s On The Soul
Pity and Promises in The Franklin’s Tale
The test of a great story is whether or not it is a true representation of reality. The various themes explored in The Canterbury Tales point us to the question of a good marriage, the most fitting employment in life, and the nature of knowledge (can a good clerk also be a good person?) and … Continue reading Pity and Promises in The Franklin’s Tale
