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Culture and Anarchy is a series of periodical essays by Matthew Arnold, first published in Cornhill Magazine 1867-68 and collected as a book in 1869. Arnold's famous piece of writing on culture established his High Victorian cultural agenda which remained dominant in debate from the 1860s until the 1950s. According to his view advanced in the book, ‘Culture [...] is a study of perfection’.

Victoria’s reign was long and presided over the restless expansion of the British Empire and reams of creative genius. Within these volumes we can bring only a glimpse of the richness, beauty and words of their poets and their musings on this remarkable age. Many are world renowned - Tennyson, Browning, Arnold, Kipling, Austin, Hopkins, Hardy and Swinburne. Some almost forgotten - Patmore, Newbolt, Synge. And some are barely noted - Lyall, Meynell and Merdeith. But together they encompass a great poetical age.

Matthew Arnold creates cinematic music inspired by travel, hope, and new beginnings, blending reflective storytelling with modern soundscapes that look ahead.

In this poignant tale, a young soldier of Tartar descent, unknowingly sired by the illustrious Persian hero Rustum, yearns to connect with his father. Serving in the Tartar army, he convinces his general to broker a truce, allowing him to challenge the Persians to single combat. Little does he know, his mother, fearing for his life, has misled Rustum into believing their child is a girl. As fate intertwines, the Persians find themselves without a champion until Rustum, contemplating retirement, steps forward to defend them—albeit incognito. What unfolds is a gripping duel laden with tragic ...

In this captivating retelling, we witness the tragic tale of Balder, the cherished god believed to be invincible, who meets his demise at the hands of the seemingly harmless blind god Hoder during a fateful game. The scheming Loki, whose trickery sets this disaster in motion, faces dire consequences in the form of exile. Meanwhile, Odin, Balders grieving father, embarks on a heroic quest to reclaim his son from the underworld. This desperate journey unfolds with unexpected twists as they receive a conditional promise of Balders return—if every living being mourns his loss. Yet, looming over ...

Matthew Arnold was an English poet and cultural critic who worked as an inspector of schools. Matthew Arnold has been characterised as a sage writer, a type of writer who chastises and instructs the reader on contemporary social issues.He is sometimes called the third great Victorian poet, along with Alfred, Lord Tennyson and Robert Browning.This week's poem is the first part of Arnold's Lyric Poem 'Switzerland'. - Summary by Wikipedia

LibriVox volunteers bring you 12 recordings of Quiet Work by Matthew Arnold.This was the Weekly Poetry project for May 3, 2026. ------Matthew Arnold was an English poet and cultural critic. He has been characterised as a sage writer, a type of writer who chastises and instructs the reader on contemporary social issues.

The English poet and cultural critic Matthew Arnold was the son of the headmaster of Rugby School who became a fellow of Oriel College, Oxford. He famously described Oxford as "that sweet city with it's dreaming spires". A deeply committed Christian he was well-versed in Greek and Latin classics and had a fascination with pre-christian myth and legend. His version of the Celtic legend of Tristram and Iseult is dramatised here.This selection includes some of Arnold's best known poems Dover Beach, Thyrsis and The Scholar-Gypsy as well as early works like The Forsaken Merman and a dramatised ...

LibriVox volunteers bring you 9 different recordings of Dover Beach, by Matthew Arnold. This was the weekly poetry project for the week of April 8th, 2007.

Dive into the gripping tale of Balder Dead, where ancient myth meets modern intrigue. Follow the unraveling mystery surrounding the legendary figure Balder, exploring themes of fate, sacrifice, and the intertwining of past and present. This captivating narrative will keep you on the edge of your seat as it challenges your perceptions of heroism and destiny.

Matthew Arnold was an English poet and cultural critic who worked as an inspector of schools. He has been characterised as a sage writer, a type of writer who chastises and instructs the reader on contemporary social issues. (Wikipedia)

The poem begins with the beloved god Balder, thought to be invulnerable, dead at the hands of the inoffensive blind god Hoder, in a game. Loki, whose deceit brought about this catastrophe, is promptly punished with exile, and Odin, Balder's father, sponsors a heroic quest to rescue his son from the land of the dead. This desperate venture unexpectedly meets with partial success, a conditional agreement to release Balder if everyone in the land of the living mourns his death. And even though over every hope hangs the threat of the ultimate end of the reign of the Norse gods, the mother of the ...

Delve into the world of Matthew Arnold, the English poet and cultural critic renowned for his lyrical genius and profound insights. As the son of Rugby Schools headmaster and a fellow at Oriel College, Oxford, Arnold captured the essence of his beloved university, famously describing it as that sweet city with its dreaming spires. A devout Christian with a deep appreciation for Greek and Latin classics, he was also captivated by pre-Christian myth and legend. This captivating dramatization features his rendition of the timeless Celtic tale of Tristram and Iseult, alongside some of his most ...

LibriVox volunteers bring you 17 recordings of Growing Old by Matthew Arnold. This was the Fortnightly Poetry project for April 17, 2011.Matthew Arnold was a British poet and cultural critic who worked as an inspector of schools. He was the son of Thomas Arnold, the famed headmaster of Rugby School, and brother to both Tom Arnold, literary professor, and William Delafield Arnold, novelist and colonial administrator. Matthew Arnold has been characterized as a sage writer, a type of writer who chastises and instructs the reader on contemporary social issues. (summary from Wikipedia)

Culture and Anarchy is a series of periodical essays by Matthew Arnold, first published in Cornhill Magazine 1867-68 and collected as a book in 1869. The preface was added in 1875. Arnold's famous piece of writing on culture established his High Victorian cultural agenda which remained dominant in debate from the 1860s until the 1950s. According to his view advanced in the book, "Culture [...] is a study of perfection". He further wrote that: "[Culture] seeks to do away with classes; to make the best that has been thought and known in the world current everywhere; to make all men live in an ...

LibriVox volunteers bring you 16 recordings of In Harmony with Nature. by Matthew Arnold. This was the Weekly Poetry project for July 8, 2012.Matthew Arnold was a British poet and cultural critic who worked as an inspector of schools. He was the son of Thomas Arnold, the famed headmaster of Rugby School, and brother to both Tom Arnold, literary professor, and William Delafield Arnold, novelist and colonial administrator. Matthew Arnold has been characterized as a sage writer, a type of writer who chastises and instructs the reader on contemporary social issues.Arnold is sometimes called the ...

In The True Meaning of Easter, the story of the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus is recounted in the magnificent words of the traditional Catholic translation of the Bible, supported by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen's teaching, and underscored by the timeless beauty of Gregorian chant and sweeping orchestral music.

In The True Meaning of Christmas, the story of the Nativity is recounted in the magnificent words of the traditional Catholic translation of the Bible, supported by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen's teaching, and underscored by the timeless beauty of Gregorian chant and sweeping orchestral music.

A young soldier born among Tartars but sired by the mighty Persian lord Rustum, serves in the Tartar army, seeking his great father. To this end, he persuades his general to call a truce and arrange for him to challenge the Persians to single combat. Should he prevail, his father will learn his whereabouts and come to him, or so he thinks, for Sohrab is unaware that his mother, fearing to lose her son, wrote to Rustum that their child was a girl. The Persians agree but have no champion until it is learned that they have recently been joined by Rustum. Although the great hero is contemplating ...

The dreaming spires of Oxford may be one of the great educational establishments of the Centuries. But it is also a place where the Nation’s young learn much more. Within its walls, courtyards and cloisters these 10 Poets mused and illuminated on the beauty of poetry with eager yet tender words.