Wednesdays with Words: Laughter and Tears

I’ve mentioned before that I’m reading the Iliad along with Miss A and Mr. D. Our discussions continue to be one of the highlights of my week – frankly I’m amazed at how much my non-fiction-preferring son is obviously enjoying it! I’m trying to copy a passage from each chapter in my commonplace book, and the one below from Book Six is definitely a favorite. It is just such a human scene, one I think everyone can identify with, because sorrow and joy are both a part of life, and are often experienced at the same time and in the same place.

So speaking glorious Hektor held out his arms to his baby, who shrank back to his fair-girdled nurse’s bosom screaming, and frightened at the aspect of his own father, terrified as he saw the bronze and the crest with its horse-hair, nodding dreadfully, as he thought, from the peak of the helmet. Then his beloved father laughed out, and his honored mother, and at once glorious Hektor lifted from his head the helmet and laid it in all its shining upon the ground. Then taking up his dear son he tossed him about in his arms, and kissed him […]

So glorious Hektor spoke and again took up the helmet with its crest of horse-hair, while his beloved wife went homeward, turning to look back on the way, letting the live tears fall.

Also read/listened to recently:

  • Hubby: The Songs of Jesus devotional by Tim Keller
  • Me: Got these two today, and started one already (because I didn’t have enough books to read 😛 ). I feel another CM Quote of the Day series coming on…

  • Miss A: Anne of Ingleside L.M. Montgomery (the edition I linked is so pretty – I just wish they had Rilla!)
  • Mr. D: He was comparing the story of Antony and Cleopatra he read in Augustus Caesar’s World to Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet in his narration to me today. Love seeing those connections being made!
  • Mr. E: The Twits by Roald Dahl 😀
  • Little L: he’s read me a few more Bob Books recently – still making slow progress (but progress neverthless!) in The Ordinary Parents’ Guide to Teaching Reading.
  • Little R: The Tale of Mrs. Tittlemouse by Beatrix Potter – I think every mother can identify with Mrs. Tittlemouse’s complaints about “little dirty feet”, although she isn’t the best example of hospitality. 😉

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