Having spent a considerable amount of time in Durham Cathedral of late, I have also found myself immersed in The Last Office, a compelling work of narrative history that chronicles the sixteenth-century dissolution of the monasteries - most notably, Durham itself. Meanwhile, like many in recent years, I have been hearing the ever-growing clamour for reparations, … Continue reading A Pathetic and Shadowy Medley: Tolkien’s Catholic Critique of Protestantism
Author: Robert
A fifty-something, retired Celestial Travel Agent and Afterlife Preparation Specialist. Walked many paths; some good, lots bad. Meandering through a difficult past, plodding in the present, crawling toward the future. I've studied English Literature, and hold a BA (Hons) Hum. (History & Art History) & MA (Humanities with English Literature)
The King in Yellow: A Curious Case of Cosmic Horror and Turn-of-the-Century Angst
The unifying thread in the best stories is a mysterious, fictional play - also called The King in Yellow - which is said to drive anyone who reads it into a state of gibbering madness. Of course, Chambers teases us with snippets of this forbidden text but never lets us see the full thing, much like … Continue reading The King in Yellow: A Curious Case of Cosmic Horror and Turn-of-the-Century Angst
The Red Boy
The Red Boy, titled Master Lambton (1825), by Sir Thomas Lawrence - what a triumph of crimson excess and cherubic overachievement! This painting is less a portrait and more a visual ode to a boy who looks like he’s just been told he’s inherited the family estate but must also spend the next decade wearing velvet onesies. … Continue reading The Red Boy
Tantalus: The Original Snackless Snacker
There are lots of sources where you'll find Tantalus' story, the poor sod. There he stands, up to his knees in water, fruit dangling just above his head, and yet he can’t eat or drink a thing. It’s the ultimate cosmic tease, isn’t it? The gods clearly had a flair for ironic punishments, but honestly, … Continue reading Tantalus: The Original Snackless Snacker
The Fragile Dance: Trust, Betrayal, and the Paradox of Friendship
Something is stirring within me - a recent experience that has set my thoughts into a quiet but persistent whirlwind. It is, at once, exhilarating and unnerving: a blend of promise, trepidation, and the cautious hope that so often accompanies stepping into uncharted territory. For so long, I’ve been guarded, reluctant, and resolute in keeping … Continue reading The Fragile Dance: Trust, Betrayal, and the Paradox of Friendship
Wording 