2023-12-30
- I have enjoyed Will & Ariel Durant’s tome on Ancient Greece. I listen to it as an audiobook while I walk Jofi. Today’s section was on Euripides. I found it to be really excellent. Especially in the comparisons between Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides. Durant at one point notes that those poets follow a similar trendline to Italian renaissance painting with Giotto, Rafael, and Michelangelo. The first one establishes the foundations of the relevant art form (Aeschylus with Greek dramatic plays, Giotto with Italian renaissance painting). The next achieves technical perfection (Rafael, Sophocles). The final stretches the limits of the form as an act of tortured genius (Michelangelo, Euripedes). He also notes that a similar trajectory exists in classical music with Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven. Personally, I am insufficiently familiar with any of these artists to judge Durant’s claim, but enjoy the notion that history rhymes like this across different art forms.
- Had a wonderful phone call with Rob today. Should remember to call him more often. Somehow always come away from our calls more excited (about life, doing things, all of it) than when I picked up the phone. An invaluable part of the best friendships.
- Damn, I just hung out with one of Elena’s friends. She was so good at listening that I felt a little embarrassed that I had thought of myself as a “good listener.” Realizing that I’m just ok. Exciting (and humbling) to be learn that I still have a ways to go.
Date
December 30, 2023