The Rhesus is a highly disputed tragedy that is commonly attributed to Euripides. It is a short play, though not altogether a tragedy in the classic sense of the word. Unlike many other Greek tragedies, Rhesus takes place during the Homeric canon, during the events of Book X of the Iliad. The plot encompasses the events of a … Continue reading Brief Notes on the Rhesus
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The Odd Story of the 1919-1920 Pulitzer Prize for the Novel
When the Pulitzer Prize committee met in 1919 for the award for best Novel, they hastily exchanged telegrams and letters, and nominated Booth Tarkington's The Magnificent Ambersons at the last minute. They initially reached a "reluctant" conclusion that no novel was deserving of the award, however shortly before the announcement was released one of the jury … Continue reading The Odd Story of the 1919-1920 Pulitzer Prize for the Novel
Case Study: Neoclassicism, “The Death of Socrates”
"The Death of Socrates" or "La Morte de Socrate" is perhaps the most famous painting from a French artistic epoch dubbed the Neoclassical period. It is an oil on canvas painting, painted in 1787 by Jacques Louis David (1748-1925), one of the main creators behind the Neoclassical period. Our initial observations reveal the central action … Continue reading Case Study: Neoclassicism, “The Death of Socrates”
Outline of the Theaetetus
As Strauss notes, there are always three different layers to a Platonic dialogue. On the surface, the Theaetetus is a dialogue addressing the question of knowledge. Contextually within the larger series of dialogues, the Theaetetus is the first in a series leading up to the death of Socrates (Theaetetus, Euthyphro, Sophist, Statesman, Apology, Crito, Phaedo). It is, first and … Continue reading Outline of the Theaetetus
The Virginian
The Virginian (1929) Director: Victor Fleming The Virginian is an important film in the history of Gary Cooper's career, as well as in the history of western films. Cooper plays a Virginia man (filmed in California) as the foreman in Wyoming. He gets into a scuffle with a cattle rustler named Trampas who routinely tries … Continue reading The Virginian
Gaslight
Gaslight Director: George Cukor (1944) Adopted from Patrick Hamilton's play of the same name, Gaslight is a great film that is wildly suspenseful and amusing, though it deviates significantly from the play. It stars a young Ingrid Bergman, Charles Boyer, and Joseph Cotton. It was nominated and won a number of Academy Awards. The term "gaslighting" … Continue reading Gaslight
Seventh Academy Awards (1935)
The seventh annual ceremony was held at the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles in February of 1935. It was hosted by Irvin S. Cobb, a writer for Joseph Pulitzer's The New York World newspaper. It Happened One Night made a clean sweep of the awards, and Shirley Temple won a Juvenile Academy Award, making her the … Continue reading Seventh Academy Awards (1935)
Sixth Academy Awards (1934)
Hosted by Will Rogers, the Sixth Academy Awards ceremony was held in March of 1934 at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. There was a mistaken moment when Rogers announced for Frank to "come up and get it!" -referring to Frank Lloyd for Cavalcade but instead Frank Capra ran up thinking the award for Best Director … Continue reading Sixth Academy Awards (1934)
Mutiny on the Bounty
Mutiny on the Bounty (1935) Director: Frank Lloyd Mutiny on the Bounty tells the swashbuckling tale of the British royal navy during the late 18th century. It is a retelling of true events. Captain Bligh (Charles Laughton) is the tyrannical leader of the H.M.S. Bounty who brutally punishes his shipman. Fletcher Christian (Clark Gable) as … Continue reading Mutiny on the Bounty
Fifth Academy Awards (1932)
The Fifth Annual Academy Awards ceremony was held on November 18, 1932 at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, California. It was hosted by Conrad Nagel, a well-known silent film actor. It featured films released between August 1, 1931 and July 31, 1932. Walt Disney also made a short animated clip for the banquet. Additionally, … Continue reading Fifth Academy Awards (1932)
