In this lecture, we cover the major plot-points of Sophocles' "Antigone." We consider (a) its chronology in relation to the other two plays from "The Theban Trilogy" which was never meant to be a trilogy; (b) considered Antigone's argument for

Dante's The Divine Comedy 2019/2020: Dante's Paradiso Review Lecture: Cantos 1-33

Mar 11th, 2020 39m 40s

In this review lecture, we review (a) major characters, (b) quotes, and (c) themes from each sphere of the final canticle of Dante's "The Divine Comedy."--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/messageSupport this p

Dante's The Divine Comedy 2019/2020 Lecture 40: Dante's Paradiso Review Lecture: Cantos 1-33

Mar 11th, 2020 39m 40s

Dante’s The Divine Comedy 2019/2020 Lecture 39: Paradiso's Empyrean: Cantos 30-33

Mar 5th, 2020 33m 34s

In this lecture, we observe (a) Dante drink from a river of light and witness the majesty of heaven; (b) Beatrice's disappearance and replacement by Dante's final guide, St. Bernard, and then we conclude by seeing (c) Dante's beatific vision of

Lecture 5: Introduction to Sophocles, Athenian Tragedy, and Oedipus the King (Lines 983-1531)

Mar 5th, 2020 25m 6s

In this lecture, we consider (a) Oedipus' final revelation that he has lived out his fate; (b) witness Oedipus blind himself and what that means; and (c) we conclude by observing Oedipus' final abdication and touching moment with his daughters.

Lecture 4: Introduction to Sophocles, Athenian Tragedy, and Oedipus the King (Lines 462-982)

Mar 4th, 2020 36m 25s

In this lecture, we consider (a) both Freudian theory and Motivation Theory in order to understand Oedipus' cognitive dissonance; we observe: (a) Creon address Oedipus' accusations of treachery and Jocasta's attempt to exonerate both men; and (

Dante’s The Divine Comedy 2019/2020 Lecture 38: Paradiso's The Primum Mobile and Entry to Empyrean: Cantos 27-30

Mar 3rd, 2020 38m 34s

In this lecture we consider (a) the nature of space and time and how "the roots" of all the universe are contained in the Primum Mobile; (b) we think over several cosmological/theological questions: the relative speed of each sphere of heaven,

Lecture 3: Introduction to Sophocles, Athenian Tragedy, and Oedipus the King

Mar 3rd, 2020 37m 22s

In this lecture we ask: (a) does Oedipus truly care for his people or is he full of overweening hubris? (b) Using psychoanalysis as a standard, is this a play about being both willing and unwilling to consider a truth/a conflict between one's c

Dante’s The Divine Comedy 2019/2020 Lecture 37: Paradiso's The Sphere of the Fixed Stars Pt. 2: Cantos 22-27

Feb 26th, 2020 34m 16s

In this lecture, we (a) observe Dante's statement of faith and selections from "The Epistle of St. James" and "The Gospel of John"; (b) we see St. James' position on the debate of faith vs. acts, and then Dante's questioning of Adam, the first

Lecture 2: Introduction to Sophocles, Athenian Tragedy, and Oedipus the King

Feb 26th, 2020 28m 19s

In this lecture, we consider (a) Sophocles' political contributions alongside his poetic ones; (b) Sophocles' three "periods" of writing and "Theban Tragedy"; and (c) we concluded by introducing Sophocles' "Oedipus the King".--- Send in a v

Dante’s The Divine Comedy 2019/2020 Lecture 36: Paradiso's The Sphere of the Fixed Stars: Cantos 22-27

Feb 25th, 2020 38m 23s

In this lecture we consider (a) Sphere 8: the Fixed Stars/Constellations and the "Church Triumphant" within them; (b) we specifically consider the example of St. Peter, and (c) we witness Dante begin his examination on the theological virtue of

Epilogue to Homer’s Odyssey and Introduction (Lecture 1) to Sophocles and Athenian Tragedy

Feb 25th, 2020 42m 4s

In this lecture, we consider (a) Eugammon of Cyrene's "Telegonus", and then we (b) introduce Athenian drama and tragedy from the 5th century BCE and (c) Sophocles and his place within it.--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spoti

Lecture 17: Introduction to Homer’s Odyssey Bks 23-24

Feb 20th, 2020 34m 30s

In this lecture, we (a) review the journey of Odysseus and how far he has come; (b) we witness the final testing of Odysseus by Penelope and of Laertes by Odysseus; and (c) we observe the final battle between the suitors' families and Odysseus'

Dante’s The Divine Comedy 2019/2020 Lecture 35: Paradiso's The Sphere of Saturn: Cantos 21-22

Feb 18th, 2020 38m

In this lecture, we discuss (a) the inability for a human mind to comprehend the intricacies of free will and predestination; (b) we consider the contemplative nature of Saturn, and we conclude by (c) considering how and why institutions and pe

Lecture 16: Introduction to Homer’s Odyssey Bks 22-23

Feb 18th, 2020 33m 28s

In this lecture, we discuss: (a) the fight between Odysseus' small retinue and the suitors, (b) the perfidy of Melanthios and maturity of Telemachos, and (c) we witness the judgment and punishment of the disloyal maids and Melanthios, and (d) c

Dante’s The Divine Comedy 2019/2020 Lecture 34: Paradiso's The Spheres of Jupiter and Saturn: Cantos 18-21

Feb 11th, 2020 40m 34s

In this lecture, we discuss (a) what makes a good ruler or judge; (b) how can one make it to heaven who has never heard of Christianity, and how humans can('t) know the "root" of predestination, and (c) we conclude with a consideration of exemp

Lecture 15: Introduction to Homer’s Odyssey Bks 19-21

Feb 11th, 2020 35m 4s

In this lecture, we discuss (a) the story of Odysseus' scar and name, (b) the dream of Penelope and the Gates of Horn and Ivory, and (c) we witness the famous contest of Odysseus' bow!--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.

Lecture 14: Introduction to Homer’s Odyssey Bks 18-19

Feb 4th, 2020 39m 19s

In this lecture, we consider (a) the aftermath of the fight between Iros and Odysseus, (b) the conversation between Penelope and Odysseus, and set up (c) the story of Odysseus' scar and how he received his name.--- Send in a voice message:

Dante’s The Divine Comedy 2019/2020 Lecture 33: Paradiso's The Spheres of Mars Pt. 2 and Jupiter Pt. 1: Cantos 18-20

Feb 4th, 2020 37m 17s

In this lecture we consider (a) Dante's exile and how he will mentally prepare for it (and be rewarded by it); (b) famous crusaders, and (c) we enter Dante's Sphere of Jupiter and see the beginnings of his theory of semiotics or the transition

Dante’s The Divine Comedy 2019/2020 Lecture 32: Paradiso's The Sphere of Mars: Cantos 14-18

Jan 28th, 2020 29m 50s

In this lecture we consider, (a) how the cross can be a symbol of the unification of divine and human nature, what the meaning of Mars' red color is, and how suffering and charity are linked to the purpose of human existence; (b) we made connec

Lecture 13: Introduction to Homer’s Odyssey Bks 17-18

Jan 28th, 2020 32m

In this lecture, we (a) revisit the many sufferings and humiliations of Odysseus both on Ithaka and from his travels before; (b) witness the beginning stages of the famous tete-a-tete between Odysseus in disguise and Penelope; and (c) witness m

Dante’s The Divine Comedy 2019/2020 Lecture 31: Paradiso's Sphere of the Sun: Cantos 10-14

Jan 22nd, 2020 40m 34s

In this lecture, we consider (a) the themes, shape, speakers, of Dante's fourth sphere of heaven, The Sun; (b) we consider the shared perspectives of St. Thomas Aquinas on St. Francis of Assisi (10, 11, 13), and the perspective of St. Bonaventu

Lecture 12: Introduction to Homer’s Odyssey Bks 16-17

Jan 22nd, 2020 33m 3s

In this lecture, we observe: (a) the reunion of Telemachos and Odysseus and their plot to destroy the suitors; (b) we meet Melanthios, the ungracious goatherd, and observe how some in Ithaka have turned from Odysseus and from what is right; (c)

Dante’s The Divine Comedy 2019/2020 Lecture 30: Paradiso's Spheres of Mercury and Venus: Cantos 7-9

Jan 15th, 2020 36m 21s

In this lecture we consider, (a) Dante's argument for why god became man; and then we move into (b) Venus, and meet Charles Martel, Cunizza da Romano, Folco de Marseilles, and Rahab, the prostitute of Jericho; (c) we conclude with a brief consi

Lecture 11: Introduction to Homer’s Odyssey Bks 14-16 (2019-2020)

Jan 15th, 2020 37m 7s

In this lecture, we (a) begin the third and final part of Homer's "Odyssey" (Part 1: Bks 1-4; Part 2: Bks 5-13; Part 3: Bks 14-24) (b) observe the hospitality of Eumaios and parallels between him and Odysseus, (c) and see Telemachos meet Eumaio