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Mar. 7th, 2008 06:11 pmEnglish Seminar today was mad.
We ended up discussing the mating habits for birds for a good twenty minutes (Ros: Chaucer - he's not David Bloody Atenborough!) and general craziness ensued, from various contributors (read: Seb, Jem, and myself.) I managed to steer things back in the right direction by encouraging Seb to research bird-sex in his own time. But of course, someone had to send things in the wrong direction again...
Ros: So we have the sun shining, the crops growing, the birds shagging...
Seb and I: *snort*
Ros: *overlooks* ...and pilgrims going on travels. Any ideas why?
Me: *suddenly serious* For religious reasons. Most likely placing their lives in the hands of God, and trusting in him to protect them through the journey. As such, when they arrive at their destination in order to give thanks, it is with a strengthened faith. Chaucer also points out worship of St Thomas, suggesting they also wish to give thanks for his protection from sickness during the winter months.
Ros: Good! A very good, reasoned observation.
Me: ...or maybe they were just going on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem to escape the winter weather.
Seb: Like birds!
Jem: That's a FANTASTIC idea!
Ros: *facepalm*
We ended up discussing the mating habits for birds for a good twenty minutes (Ros: Chaucer - he's not David Bloody Atenborough!) and general craziness ensued, from various contributors (read: Seb, Jem, and myself.) I managed to steer things back in the right direction by encouraging Seb to research bird-sex in his own time. But of course, someone had to send things in the wrong direction again...
Ros: So we have the sun shining, the crops growing, the birds shagging...
Seb and I: *snort*
Ros: *overlooks* ...and pilgrims going on travels. Any ideas why?
Me: *suddenly serious* For religious reasons. Most likely placing their lives in the hands of God, and trusting in him to protect them through the journey. As such, when they arrive at their destination in order to give thanks, it is with a strengthened faith. Chaucer also points out worship of St Thomas, suggesting they also wish to give thanks for his protection from sickness during the winter months.
Ros: Good! A very good, reasoned observation.
Me: ...or maybe they were just going on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem to escape the winter weather.
Seb: Like birds!
Jem: That's a FANTASTIC idea!
Ros: *facepalm*
