Alexander Schmid Podcast

In this lecture, we (a) observe the first major Trojan champion (Sarpedon) defeat an Achaian champion (Tlepolemos); (b) we witness the cruelty of Hektor in the wake of his friend's pleas for help, and (c) a battle between Diomedes and Ares, a far more formidable god than Aphrodite!

In this lecture, we (a) review the concepts of tîmê (honor) and kleos (glory), (b) we observed the epic battle of Diomedes and Sthenelos vs. Pandaros and Aineias, and (c) witnessed the stabbing of a goddess (Aphrodite) by a mortal man (Diomedes).

In this lecture, we (a) conclude the Circle of Heresy (6) by talking about the Guelf leader Cavalcante di Cavalcanti, (b) observe the nasty smell of Lower Hell and take a moment to consider the structure of the final three circles (7, 8, 9); and then (c) we enter the first of three sub-circles of Violence and witness the abominable minotaur, centaurs, and harpies and the boiling river of blood: Phlegethon. We cover cantos 10-12 in this lecture.

In this lecture, we (a) introduce Diomedes and Athene's desire to use him to remove the dangerous and exasperating Aphrodite from the battlefield; (b) we distinguish the concepts of tīmḗ  (honor) and kleos (glory; that which is said of one; one's legend) and geras (physical rewards, like Briseis), and (c) considered (1) the amorality of the Olympian gods as well as (2) the theme that when: (a) a minor character (like Pandaros) injures a major character (like Menelaos or Diomedes), then (b) that minor character will be killed, generally by a major character.

In this lecture, we (a) review the major events of Circle 5: wrath and sullenness; (b) we reach The Gate of Dis and watch the drama unfold between Virgil, Dante the Pilgrim, the Fallen Angels, the Furies, and the Heavenly Messenger; (c) then we begin our descent to Circle 6 and meet our first heretics there (the Epicureans and Farinata degli Uberti).

In this lecture, we (a) describe the one-one-one combat between Menelaos and Paris of Troy for the hand of Helen; (b) we examine the interference of Aphrodite and what this means for the war; and (c) we view a dark covenant formed by Zeus and Hera and observe the trickery of Athene and foolhardiness of Pandaros, the Lykian.

In this lecture we (a) review the history of Agamemnon's scepter, (c) see Troy and meet Priam, Antenor, and Helen for the first time during the teichoscopia, and (c) hear our first descriptions of the beginning of the Trojan War before the one on one battle between Paris and Menelaos takes place!

In this lecture we discuss Circles Four and Five of Dante's Inferno. Specifically we (a) consider Plutus, Ciacco, and the place of Fortune among the avaricious and prodigal; (b) we then consider the fifth circle, its division into anger and sullenness (sulkiness/resentment), and meet Phlegyas as we cross (c) the River Styx, the second of four rivers in Dante's "Inferno" and end with an exciting scene between Virgil, Dante the Pilgrim, and Filipo Argenti.

In this lecture, (a) we perceive a false dream which Agamemnon follows rather than good counsel; (b) we meet Thersites of the endless speech after a disastrous "call to arms" by Agamemnon, and (c) we see Odysseus jump into action to corral the troops. We then (d) meet Paris at the opening of Bk. 3 and close with a (e) description of the Achaian and Trojan Forces and an (f) explanation of Homeric Simile. 

In this episode, Ms. Sarah Miller, Mr. Wes Schantz, and I consider the beginning of the end--our final topics in our Harry Potter Conversation series. We specifically look into: (a) the relationship between the Hallows and the Horcruxes and what they broadly represent, (b) Dumbledore's characterization in conjunction with consideration of several culminating events, and (c) weighing in on the death of one (actually more) of our favorite characters.