Alexander Schmid Podcast

In this lecture, we meet (a) Aiolos, the Laistrygones, and the sea-witch Circe; (b) we see Circe’s transformative magic, and conclude by (c) entering the underworld and meeting the Theban prophet Teiresias.

In this final lecture on Dante's "Purgatorio", we discuss (a) the idyllic and pastoral nature of Eden, its place outside of time, and its connection to Parnassus and the Golden Age of ancient poets; (b) we examine the symbolism underlying the procession of elders, dancing women, griffin, chariot, and trailing men of a divine parade; and (c) we witness an eagle, fox, dragon, seven-headed monster, prostitute, giant, and examine what each of these symbols means as well as saying farewell to Virgil and meeting Beatrice once again.

In this lecture, we discuss (a) the differences between the Cyclopes and Phaiakians, though they descend from the same place (Hypereia) and god (Poeseidon); (b) we witness the inhospitality of Polyphemos and his great hubris; and (c) we see the cunning planning of Nobody (Odysseus), but also a rare moment of recklessness from him and its costly consequences.

In this lecture, we observe: (a) the Phaiakians entertaining Odysseus with songs, athletics, and dance; (b) the three songs of Demodokos, including the famous story of Ares and Aphrodite's infidelity; and (c) we witness the beginning of Odysseus' story of his wanderings (The Kikones and Lotus Eaters).

In this lecture, we focus on: (a) examples of gluttony and temperance on Terrace 6 and meet Forese Donati and Bonagiunta da Lucca there; (b) examples of chastity and lust on Terrace 7 and meet Guido Guinizzelli and Arnaut Daniel; (c) we then see Dante's final dream (3/3) of Leah and Rachel in a pastoral scene and conclude by witnessing (d) Virgil's final words to Dante (Dante's graduation to freedom).

In this lecture, we (a) finally meet Odysseus, observe his first negotiations, and see him depart from Kalypso's island; (b) we then see Odysseus brave a storm, meet a helpful sea-nymph, and then find land after twenty grueling days on the sea; (c) Odysseus then meets Nausikaa and makes his way to the house of Alkinoos and Arete in search of safe conveyance home!

In this lecture, we discuss (a) Virgil's professional and religious debt to Virgil, (b) Virgil's "Eclogue IV" and how it could be construed as a work of "Christian Prophecy"; and (c) we conclude with some Christmas Holiday themed examples of generosity and poverty: (1) the birth of Jesus (to Mary) in a manger on Christmas Day and (2) the Saint on whom "Old Saint Nick" is based: St. Nicholas of Bari.

In this lecture we discuss Homer's "Odyssey" Books 3 and 4. First (a) Telemachos visits Pylos and learn of the fates of several Achaians, including poor Agamemnon, but receives no word on Odysseus; (b) Telemachos and Peisistratos then visit Sparta, and observe (1) Menelaos and Helen's tense interactions, (2) hear Menelaos' epic story of catching a god, Proteus, and (3) finally news that Odysseus is still alive, though captive and far from home! (c) The lecture concludes with a look back to Ithaka and the machinations of the suitors and sorrow of Penelope.

In this lecture, we (a) considered examples of zeal, the slothful penitents, and examples of sloth; (b) we examined the second dream in Purgatory, the dream of the Siren, and its (1) allegorical significance and (2) prefiguration of the final three terraces of Purgatory; (c) we conclude by meeting Statius, the Roman epic-poet who converted to Christianity (according to Dante), caused the "mountain-quake", and is our new guide alongside Virgil.

**Note: I erroneously call Pope Nicholas III from Inferno 19 Pope Innocent.

In this lecture, we discuss (a) the difference between "nostos" and "kleos" epics; (b) we frame the difficulty of the situation at Ithaka with (1) Odysseus, the king, gone, (2) the presence of the suitors, and (3) the limbo of both Telemachos and Penelope; (c) we conclude by examining the structure of the first four books, the Telemachy, and meeting Telemachos for the first time.