Here we are once more, arm in arm with Dante, descending into the infernal depths — and I must confess, my curious little obsession with the notion of Hell continues to bloom like a thorny rose. Perhaps it’s the slow march of time, or the creak in my knees, but I do find myself pondering … Continue reading Wandering Through the Bolge: A Personal Ramble through Dante’s Inferno – again!
Category: history
Christian Science: Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Misdiagnose Everything
Before we begin, a quick word of warning: if you’re a devout Christian Scientist, a fan of metaphysical reasoning, or simply allergic to sarcasm, you may wish to pop the kettle on and find a gentler corner of the internet. What follows is a light-hearted take on Christian Science - a movement born in 19th-century … Continue reading Christian Science: Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Misdiagnose Everything
Whistles, Rhymes, and Ghosts – Oh My! M. R. James’ Guide to Summoning Ancient Horrors with Nursery Tunes
When I think of M. R. James, it’s like I’ve accidentally stumbled into a foggy, overgrown cemetery on Halloween night, while wearing the world’s most embarrassing costume and holding a mysterious old book I definitely shouldn’t be holding. His stories - oh, the stories! - are like that one weird uncle who insists on showing … Continue reading Whistles, Rhymes, and Ghosts – Oh My! M. R. James’ Guide to Summoning Ancient Horrors with Nursery Tunes
The Saxon Spirit in a Modern Age: Kipling’s The Norman and the Saxon
Rudyard Kipling’s The Norman and the Saxon is a poem steeped in history, but it also serves as a stark and prophetic warning. On the surface, it appears to be a study of the differences between the Norman conquerors and the Saxons they subdued, but beneath the historical veneer lies a commentary on resilience, justice, … Continue reading The Saxon Spirit in a Modern Age: Kipling’s The Norman and the Saxon
The Power of the Classics: Enoch Powell and the Legacy of Political Rhetoric
It has always struck me as curious that, in an age where fewer and fewer people read the great works of antiquity, classical literature still finds its way into the mouths of politicians. Like incantations spoken in a dead language, these references - often half-remembered, plucked from history like ripe fruit - are meant not … Continue reading The Power of the Classics: Enoch Powell and the Legacy of Political Rhetoric
Wording 