Dante's The Divine Comedy 2019/2020 Lecture 29: Paradiso's Sphere of Mercury: Cantos 5-7
In this lecture, we consider (a) the second sphere of Paradise: Mercury and make several connections between the number six (6th century emperor, 6th cantos in each canticle, 6th book of Virgil's "Aen...
7 Jan 202029min
Lecture 10: Introduction to Homer's Odyssey Bks 12 and 13
In this lecture we observe: (a) Odysseus' encounter with the Sirens, Skylla and Charybdis, and the Cattle of the Sun on Thrinakia; (b) Poseidon turning the Phaiakian ship to stone (and Odysseus being ...
7 Jan 202035min
Dante's Purgatorio: Cantos 1-27 Reviewed
In this review session on Dante's "Purgatorio," cantos 1-28 are reviewed: from Dante's entrance to Purgatory to his third and final dream before his ascent into Terrestrial Paradise. If a review on Te...
16 Dec 201942min
Homer's Iliad: The Entire Story Reviewed (Bks 1-24)
In this lecture, the entire narrative of Homer's "Iliad" is rapidly reviewed. The review includes major events, characters, and themes.
16 Dec 201939min
Lecture 9: Introduction to Homer’s Odyssey Bk 11 Pt. 2
In this lecture, we conclude our trip into Homer's underworld: (a) we meet Agamemnon, Achilleus, and Aias the Greater again, (b) see the arch-sinners Tityos, Tantalos, and Sisyphos, and (c) learn abou...
12 Dec 201928min
Dante’s The Divine Comedy 2019 Lecture 28: Introductory Lecture on Dante’s Paradiso: Cantos 1-5, The Sphere of the Moon (Lecture 1)
In this lecture, we introduce Dante’s “Paradiso”. Specifically, we consider (a) Ptolemy’s geocentric model of the universe and its relation to Paradise; (b) we consider Ovidian elements in Dante’s “Pa...
10 Dec 201941min
Lecture 8: Introduction to Homer’s Odyssey Bks 10 and 11 Pt. 1
In this lecture, we meet (a) Aiolos, the Laistrygones, and the sea-witch Circe; (b) we see Circe’s transformative magic, and conclude by (c) entering the underworld and meeting the Theban prophet Teir...
10 Dec 201928min
Dante’s The Divine Comedy Lecture 27: Lecture 10: Entrance to Earthly Paradise, The Procession of Revelation in Paradise, the Introduction of Beatrice and Departure of Virgil
In this final lecture on Dante's "Purgatorio", we discuss (a) the idyllic and pastoral nature of Eden, its place outside of time, and its connection to Parnassus and the Golden Age of ancient poets; (...
5 Dec 201938min
