Book IV opens with yet another revolt from allies of the Athenians, this time the city of Messana. Syracuse encouraged the revolt to prevent Athens from a clear path to Sicily. Additionally, Athens is again invaded by the Spartans under King Agis, son of Archidamus. Meanwhile an Athenian fleet builds a fort as an outpost … Continue reading The Peloponnesian War, Book IV: Armistice and Mounting Losses
history
The Dangers of the Poets in The Bacchae
The Bacchae (Bacchantes) is Euripides's greatest play. It tells the story of Dionysus, the god of wine and revelry, as he jealously rebukes Pentheus, ruler of Thebes (the latter city of Oedipus), for his lack of faith in Dionysus's sovereignty. Pentheus's impiety ultimately costs his city and family their nobility -Dionysus, in disguise, persuades Pentheus … Continue reading The Dangers of the Poets in The Bacchae
What is the Chorus in Greek Tragedy?
In Classical Greek drama, the existence of a Chorus strikes the modern audience as odd. Why is there a Chorus? What role does it play? Where did the Chorus come from? The origin of the word "khoros" is cloaked in mystery, however it has been suggested by modern scholars that the word references an open dance … Continue reading What is the Chorus in Greek Tragedy?
Further Consideration of Jonah
Though we know almost nothing about the author of the Book of Jonah, it has been suggested that the book emerged after the Babylonian exile due to its universalist monotheistic message which came about with Second Isaiah, the anonymous sixth-century prophet of Babylonian exile. This global conception of God is a wholly different than the … Continue reading Further Consideration of Jonah
In Appreciation of the Song of Songs
The foundational books of the Hebrew Bible were originally composed, though not edited, from the 10th or 9th century to the 7th century BC, excluding a few archaic poems. The critical moment in biblical history was the Babylonian exile, which began after the conquest of Judah and Jerusalem in 586 BC. The Song of Songs, … Continue reading In Appreciation of the Song of Songs
The Little Colonel
The Little Colonel (1935) Director: David Butler The first of four films starring Shirley Temple alongside Bill Robinson, The Little Colonel is a fun film of north and south comaraderie post-civil war, however portrayals of African Americans in the film will, no doubt, be troubling for modern audiences. Ironically, the famous scene of dancing on the … Continue reading The Little Colonel
The Littlest Rebel
The Littlest Rebel (1935) Director: David Butler The film is a beautiful and classically heart-warming tale of a Southern plantation family during the American Civil War. It was released in 1935, and became a top box-office film, along with Shirley Temple's signature performance in Curly Top, which was also released in 1935. Shirley Temple stars alongside Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, the … Continue reading The Littlest Rebel
Man on the Flying Trapeze
Man On The Flying Trapeze (1935) Director: Clyde Bruckman Starring W.C. Fields, Man on the Flying Trapeze is a hilarious film. It is actually a loose remake of a film called Running Wild originally made in 1927, also starring W.C. Fields. It tells the story of Ambrose Wolfinger a "memory expert" for a woolen manufacturer - a memory … Continue reading Man on the Flying Trapeze
The Age of Innocence on Trial
The title of Edith Wharton's most famous and Pulitzer Prize winning novel is most likely derived from a famous painting by Sir Joshua Reynolds. The painting was created sometime between 1785-1788 (see below). Sir Reynolds did not actually title the painting, as the name was given to the work after his death. The painting was … Continue reading The Age of Innocence on Trial
The Invisible Man
The Invisible Man is a surprisingly well-made and enjoyable film. It was based on H.G. Wells's 1897 novel of the same name, though there are some notable differences between the film and the novel, for example in the book Griffin is naturally a-moral and insane, whereas in the film he consumes chemicals which make him both … Continue reading The Invisible Man
