Sir Philip Sidney, Astrophil and Stella. Over the course of the sixteenth century English poets experimented with the sonnet form invented by their Italian neighbours, and the Petrarchan conventions that came with it. The goal was a long sequence of many short poems which chronicle the emotional chaos springing from unrequited love. Sir Philip Sidney’s se ... Show More
Jun 2024
EP21 - Twin Compasses | Donne, A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning
John Donne, A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning. John Donne came of age in a high culture whose notions of love were shaped by writers like Philip Sidney. Donne’s own love poetry, though, was very different. Scandalously frank, experimental, intellectually complex, Donne disdains ... Show More
1h 26m
Jun 2024
EP22 - Until the World Is Mended | A Reflection On J.R.R. Tolkien
J. R. R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien is one of the most beloved writers in the English tradition, though that popularity is a source of frustration to many supposedly sophisticated critics and scholars. However, his fans and his detractors alike often miss not just ho ... Show More
1h 33m
Jul 2024
EP23 - Knaves Or Jacks? | Dickens, Great Expectations
Charles Dickens, Great Expectations. It takes many years and great disappointment for Pip to understand what happened to him. The protagonist of Dickens’ novel lives amid hope and fear, unaware of who it is that shaped his life and what he should really value. His story is about ... Show More
1h 32m
Dec 2024
172 | Intermediate - Short Story: The Sky We Touched Together [English Listening Practice]
Title: The Sky We Touched TogetherLevel: Intermediate (B1)#Story : Sophia’s quiet life changes when she meets Julian, an enigmatic artist who believes the stars hold secrets. Together, they discover a glowing stone that opens a doorway to the Starfields, a magical world of floati ... Show More
8m 52s