Poetry and music serve as two fundamental pillars of human experience. Both transcend local cultures, and are so situated in human history that they present themselves as uniquely necessary—almost natural—to man. But why is this so? And what does this teach us about what it means to be human?
In Greek antiquity, poetry served as the most rudimentary basis for the exploration of philosophical ideas about humanity, the natural order of justice, and the divine. Fittingly, these ideas were oft accompanied by ballads and tunes; music, the auditory expression of mathematical progression and harmony. Together, these two expressed a consistent and aesthetic vision of the cosmos—a vision of reality which so encapsulated the Christian idea that these arts were brought to their apex by devout Catholics through the ages.
Join the Alcuin Institute as we explore the nature of poetry and music, as well as their use and development in the culture of Christendom! This online correspondence course will be taught via email by William Dunn, S.T.L. For more information, contact Becky Holder at becky.holder@dioceseoftulsa.org.