Showing results for "," in Poetry

The major texts of Western culture are a gateway to wisdom that can widen your views on self and society in enduring ways. And now you can examine its most important works - whether drama, poetry, or narrative - in this series of 64 penetrating lectures that reveal astonishing common ground.

The Tirukkural (honoured Kural) is one of the world's greatest literary and philosophical masterpieces. Composed in Tamil by Tiruvalluvar sometime between 2 BCE and 5 CE, its succinct couplets seek to explain and guide the listener through life's various situations: political, spiritual, domestic and social.

The Kalevala is a 19th-century work of epic poetry compiled by Elias Lönnrot from Karelian and Finnish oral folklore and mythology. The Kalevala was instrumental in the development of the Finnish national identity and the sense of nationality that led to Finland's independence from Russia in 1917. Beginning with the traditional Finnish creation myth, the Kalevala branches out into stories of the creation of the earth, plants, creatures, and the sky. There are many stories of, romance, kidnapping, seduction, and magical spell casting and singing.

The Satires comprises a collection of satirical poems by the Latin author Juvenal written in the second century CE. Juvenal wrote in the Roman tradition of “satura”, a formal literary genre composed in dactylic hexameter rather than just witty criticism in any format. In a tone and manner that ranges from irony to rage, Juvenal criticizes the actions and beliefs of his contemporaries.

Set during the fierce Trojan War, Troilus and Criseyde is the poignant tale of love won and lost. The beautiful Criseyde becomes the object of desire for Troilus, the son of King Priam, and he is able to win her affection through the machinations of his uncle, Pandarus. They experience a brief time of bliss together, but despite their vows of faithfulness, they are soon separated by the fortunes of war.

The Canterbury Tales, written near the end of Chaucer's life and hence towards the close of the 14th century, is perhaps the greatest English literary work of the Middle Ages: yet it speaks to us today with almost undimmed clarity and relevance.

This collection of Japanese poetry was compiled and translated into English from an anthology known as The Collection of Myriad Leaves, and from a number of other anthologies made by imperial decree between the tenth and fifteenth centuries. This period has come to be considered the golden age of Japanese literature. These examples of Japanese poetry exhibit the most exquisite polish, allied with an avoidance of every shocking or perturbing theme; they combine the enduring luster of a precious metal with the tenuity of gold-leaf.

A collection of eclectic poetry penned by three kings of Pulp fiction from the 1930s. Songs of Giants: The Poetry of Pulp is a collection of 26 poems by writers H.P. Lovecraft, Edgar Rice Burroughs, and Robert E. Howard. Inspired by the illustrated book of the same name by artist Mark Wheatley.

The Songs of a Sentimental Bloke is a classic Australian work of poetry composed by renowned poet, C.J. Dennis (1876-1938). This verse-novel chronicles Bill's coming-of-age through romance, love, and fatherhood. From rambunctious street-strolling youth to settled, responsible father, Bill's story unfolds with keen Aussie larrikinism and humour. This work is narrated as a duet by Denis Daly (Bill) and Sarah Bacaller (Doreen).

As the Enlightenment movement was gathering strength in the early 18th century, various challenges to established religious faith were launched. In response, a number of celebrated commentators produced defences of religion and morality, and among these was Alexander Pope, who was inspired to write "some pieces on Human Life and Manners." The result was a collection of poems in rhyming couplets, designated "Epistles", which were published in instalments.

La nuit, les lames de son envie ne rasent plus que l'ennui... Les alcoolos sont gris. (Je ne crois pas faire ici quelconque prophétie.) J'avais, à cette occasion, dévié des nymphes de vent, contre marées et vendredi, dimanche, confins de cet océan. Maintenant que vous savez cela, tous les espoirs restent permis.

Arnolphe prétend qu'une femme ne peut être sage et vertueuse qu'autant qu'elle est ignorante et niaise. Aussi, pour avoir une épouse à sa guise, il fait élever sa jeune pupille, Agnès, au fond de sa maison, sous la garde d'un valet et d'une servante aussi niais qu'elle.

Les femmes soulèvent à chaque époque - croyant l'inventer - la querelle de l'égalité des sexes, qui dure en vérité depuis que le monde est monde. Dans "Les femmes savantes", Molière s'attaque cependant moins au beau sexe qu'aux cuistres des deux bords. Si Bélise ou Philaminte revendiquent un savoir qui leur encombre la langue sans leur pénétrer l'esprit, l'art et la science de Trissotin se résument également à un ridicule jargon mondain.

Andrew Marvell was born in Winestead-in-Holderness, in the East Riding of Yorkshire on March 31st, 1621. He was educated at Hull Grammar School, and at the age of 13 he attended Trinity College, Cambridge, and eventually received his BA degree. It is thought that in 1642 Marvell travelled in Europe and, while England was embroiled in its civil war, remained there until 1647, mastering several languages including French, Italian and Spanish.

Charles Péguy entre à l'Ecole normale supérieure où Bergson fut l'un de ses professeurs. Très tôt, ses prises de position déroutent : croyant, il critique l'Eglise catholique, socialiste, il s'oppose au pacifisme et à l'internationalisme de la gauche, et nationaliste, il ne rejoint jamais la classe bourgeoise. En 1900, il crée sa propre revue, Cahiers de la quinzaine qui représente un témoignage inégalé sur la vie intellectuelle de l'époque.

Le Chat : voilà un sujet noble, plein de mystère et de plaisirs. Théodore de Banville consacre un poétique texte à ce merveilleux compagnon de l'artiste, le chat, narré au travers de ses habitudes, de sa nature et de ses exploits. Dieux égyptiens, nobles véritables, n'abandonnant leur langueur paresseuse que pour le plaisir de la chasse, les chats n'ont qu'un seul rival digne d'eux : la femme. Jaloux de leurs moustaches, qui ne les gênent en rien pour manger contrairement à la sienne, Théodore de Banville est un homme à ajouter à leur liste de conquêtes. Plongez-vous avec volupté dans cet éloge du chat, compagnon de nos jours et gardien de nos nuits !

Deux jeunes seigneurs parisiens, La Grange et Du Croisy, quittent fort mécontents la demeure de Gorgibus, riche bourgeois de province arrivé récemment à Paris pour marier sa fille Magdelon et sa nièce Cathos. Les deux amants n'ont pas été jugés suffisamment à la mode par les deux jeunes filles.

The Georgics was published in 29 BCE, and is the second major work by the Latin poet Virgil. Its a fascinating insight into rural life and farming of the time.

Le notaire procéda solennellement à la lecture du contrat. Quand tous eurent signé, on déboucha les bouteilles et on but, abondamment, à la gloire de Madeleine et à la prospérité de la nouvelle troupe. "Nous la nommons l'Illustre Théâtre", dit Beys, lyrique. "À l'heureux destin de l'Illustre Théâtre !", reprit-on en trinquant une fois de plus. Madeleine et Jean-Baptiste choquaient leur verre avec une secrète solennité : ce contrat, c'était un peu leurs épousailles.