in a poetry class

After my bout of Sillliman University’s goal of holistic learning to be instilled in all of its students, of which I took up classes in Physics, Biology and Chemistry though I’m majoring in English, at long last all of my subjects this semester deals with literature.

Literature is my darling but I must admit I lacked enough information of the classics. Though I may be caught off guard with that actuality, I must live to love it. Enthusiasm and appreciation for it is in a disturbing decline these days.

And one specific subject I enjoyed hours ago was Literature 41 – Tradition of Poetry. And who better to discuss and impart knowledge to us such sophisticated subject? But of course that will be Cesar Ruiz Aquino; the person who have been dedicated with countless written stories and poems by prominent young (and old) writers.

Despite stories surrounding upon this guy, from dropping grades and near-silly habits, I forgot the tales altogether since he is Cesar Ruiz Aquino facing before you. It is not everyday you get to see both a great writer and critic, unless of course, you are his shadow or conscience.

Well, I’ll end up to this point but I’ll leave you with some interesting tidbits I got from him:

1) In epic times, people are not afraid to boast. That’s why heroes in epic poetry tend to outdo and speak up confidently to their deserved adversary. Before the belief of God, life runs with faith only in Physical Strength and Courage.

2) In the real book written by Homer, Achilles lived till the end of the tale. He was not really killed with any arrow and the like, hitting in his heels or whatsoever. That heel-concept was actually taken from narrative myths that were way older than the author’s time.

3) Though not yet fully proven but most likely to be, the first roots of poetry is magic; magic to heal and to correct. Known as “Incantations,” one specific kind of poetry has an equivalent specific ailment that would serve as a remedy.

4) What makes a poem a poem is not because it is a product of intellect. According to the Greeks, the function of poetry is to teach, to enlighten, to elevate, at the same time to make you wiser, and it must be prized for it.

5) We have read some of Plato’s living written works and it do sound very arty and even poetic, but the irony is he banished poetry, in the republic, in his time. He even burned all of his poems when he decided to be a philosopher.

and much more...