Tag: classics
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The Dangers of Populism in All The King’s Men
“Mason city. To get there you follow Highway 58, going northeast out of the city, and it is a good highway and new” (opening lines) In an age where populist demagoguery has once again captured the hearts of the American voter, it has been illuminating for me to sit down and read this classic novel […]
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A Classical Hero in the Modern World: A Reading of Macbeth
The standard reading of Macbeth is that it is a tribute to King James I, Shakespeare’s patron. As a relatively new king to the throne of England, James was fascinated with two chief themes found in Macbeth: witchcraft and regicide. James was a prolific writer and he wrote a book on the subject of witchcraft […]
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Introduction to Macbeth
In all likelihood The Tragedie of Macbeth was first performed in 1606 at the court of King James I. Its first public performance likely occurred at the Globe Theatre in 1611 (a review of this performance was given by the sometimes misleading astrologer, Simon Forman). Macbeth was first published in Shakespeare’s First Folio of 1623, […]
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Perception in Aristotle’s On The Soul
Aristotle’s On The Soul (or “De Anima” as the Latins transcribed it) addresses the question of what it means to be alive. It explores the self-organization of all natural and living things, from the perspective and perception of an observer. The text is a qualified addendum to the Physics, and its corollary is a short treatise […]
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How Green Was My Valley (1941) Review
How Green Was My Valley (1941) Director: John Ford How Green Was My Valley is the film version of Richard Llewellyn’s popular 1939 novel of the same name. He claimed the story was autobiographical, but this was proven to be untrue after his death. Instead, he interviewed a number of families from Gilfach Goch, where […]
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Intentionality in The Friar’s Tale
In his prologue, the Friar is called a “beggar” with a “scowling face at the Summoner.” In the “General Prologue” the Friar is characterized as a “wantowne” and “merye” man who dwells within an assigned region. He has a white neck like a ‘lily flower,’ and he knows great dalliance and fair speech. He is […]
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