Alexander Schmid Podcast

In this conversation, Ms. Sarah Miller, Mr. Wesley Schantz, and I conclude the fifth installment of the Harry Potter series: "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix". We specifically consider (1) The Department of Mysteries and what the mysteries of the magical world are (death, life, time, mind, love), and how they relate to our own primary world mysteries and questions; (2) we observe the epic battle between Voldemort and Dumbledore and make varied Luciferian (both Dantist and Miltonian) and Christological connections between the characters and the specific powers they manifest (division vs. unity); (3) we conclude by considering the nature of trauma, physical and spiritual (mental), and the role of the counselor/Dumbledore in guiding one back towards inner harmony by acceptance of difficult truths.

In this lecture, we consider (1) Sophocles' biographical details, (2) his innovations to the Athenian stage over a near 50 year career, and (c) the experiences his accumulated and expressed seeing ninety years of life and the great Persian and Peloponnesian Wars!

In this lecture, we consider (a) the four questions Dante puts to Adam, the first man, (b) the connections between Dante's time in heaven (6-7 hours) and Adam's time in Earthly Paradise (6-7) hours and how the language of man and man himself is like "leaves on a tree" ever changing (falling); and (c) the reasons of Peter's anger against the church (1) the misuse of the papal seat, and (2) divisiveness. 

In this lecture, we (1) present the difference between a tragedy, comedy, and epic; (2) discuss what distinguishes a hero from an anti-hero, and (3) and begin explaining the historical context of Sophocles (and the War at Thebes), and the conventions of the Athenian stage.

In this episode of Side Quests, Mr. Wes Schantz and I have our penultimate discussion on Sqauresoft's epic role-playing game from 1997: Final Fantasy VII. We consider the following topics in detail: (1) the motifs of endings and beginnings, in the game itself and in our project covering it; (2) motivations and changing motivations in approaching a long-term game and the personal character growth (bildungsroman) required not only of your characters, but in you as you play through the game; (3) we consider nostalgia, missed opportunities, and the value of goal-oriented action in games and how that translates to a meaningful life. 

In this lecture, we (1) review the slaughter of the suitors, the execution of the serving maids, and the dismemberment of Melanthios; (2) we observe the touching reunion of Penelope and Odysseus (after Penelope tests Odysseus, of course), and (3) we observe how Zeus, king of the Gods, finally puts an end to the conflict that started with the taking of Helen so long ago.

In this lecture, we observe (a) Dante's definition of "faith" and his defense of his belief in the words of the Old and New Testaments, (b) Dante's definition of "hope" and St. James' famous distinction between faith and acts, and (c) we witness Dante go blind and then speak to St. John about what love and sacrifice truly are.

In this episode, Ms. Sarah Miller, Mr. Wes Schantz, and I consider (a) Harry's career advice, and the power dynamics between Professor Umbridge and Professor McGonagall; (b) the growing differences between Hermione and Hagrid (including touching on the theme of "the seen" vs. "the unseen" in these chapters and the series at large; (c) and the exit of the Weasley Twins in body and spirit! Bonus screed about arithmancy at the end.

In this lecture, we discuss (1) the nature of the garden and food similes and metaphors as we near the top of heaven, (2) the examinations on faith, hope, and love Dante will now endure, and (3) the character and inconsistency of Peter, the first pope.

In this lecture, we (a) observe Odysseus in rags string the bow and win the contest for Penelope's hand; (b) we witness the deaths of Antinoos, Eurymachos, Amphinomos and all the other suitors; (c) we witness the punishments of the serving maids and Melanthios!