Homer's Iliad 2019: Lecture 15: Homer’s Iliad Bks 8-9 Pt.1
In this lecture, we observe (a) Zeus prohibiting the other gods from the battlefield; (b) the last-chance effort of Agamemnon and the Achaians to placate Achilleus by means of an embassy; and (c) the ...
23 Sep 201927min
Dante's The Divine Comedy 2019: Lecture 11: Geryon, Fraud, and Structure of Circle 8 (Cantos 17-18)
In this lecture, we (a) consider in which ways Geryon represents fraud; (b) we consider how fraud makes a predator of a person (like a snake or scorpion), and (c) the remaining two circles (and second...
19 Sep 201923min
Homer's Iliad 2019: Lecture 14: Homer’s Iliad Bks 7-8
In this lecture, we (a) review Hektor's trip back to Troy and his farewell speech to Andromache, his wife; (b) we observe single combat between Aias the Greater and Hektor upset by nightfall, and (c) ...
19 Sep 201924min
Dante's The Divine Comedy 2019: Lecture 10: Brunetto Latini, The Sodomites, Usurers, and Geryon (Cantos 15-17)
In this lecture, we (a) review the first two sub-circles of Circle 7, Violence before continuing through sub-circle 3; (b) we meet and converse with Brunetto Latini, Dante's former teacher, and (c) co...
18 Sep 201934min
Homer's Iliad 2019: Lecture 13: Bk 6
In this lecture, we discuss (a) the concept of xenia and (b) its relation to Glaukos and Diomedes' strange interaction and exchange, and (c) we conclude by observing Hektor back in Troy meeting Hekabe...
18 Sep 201929min
Dante's The Divine Comedy 2019: Lecture 9: The Suicides (13), Blasphemers (14), and the Old Man of Crete (14) (Cantos 12-14 covered)
In this lecture, we (a) begin with a lesson in Italian negation and consider the "negating" aspect of self-harm from Canto 13, Circle 7.2; (b) we observe the pagan Capaneus from The Seven Against Theb...
16 Sep 201921min
Homer's Iliad 2019: Lecture 12: Bk 5 Pt 3
In this lecture, we (a) observe the first major Trojan champion (Sarpedon) defeat an Achaian champion (Tlepolemos); (b) we witness the cruelty of Hektor in the wake of his friend's pleas for help, and...
16 Sep 201917min
Homer's Iliad 2019: Lecture 11: Bk 5 Pt. 2
In this lecture, we (a) review the concepts of tîmê (honor) and kleos (glory), (b) we observed the epic battle of Diomedes and Sthenelos vs. Pandaros and Aineias, and (c) witnessed the stabbing of a g...
11 Sep 201926min
