Critical Readings

Released on 23 August 2021:

The panel reads a selection of Poe’s most significant verse, including “The Raven” and “Annabel Lee”, and considers not only how Poe’s use of Gothic and Romantic themes shapes the content and form of his poems, but also surprising mediæval connexions.

Released on 16 August 2021:

The panel reads a small selection of poems by Geoffrey Hill, with a focus on his use of paradoxical language, complex metaphors, and highly imagistic description–and, contrasts Hill’s work with that of the mid-20th century poet, Philip Larkin.

Released on 9 August 2021:

The panel concludes its summer reading of The Canterbury Tales with a look at penitence, sin, and freedom in The Parson’s Tale, and then considers whether Chaucer’s Retraction (Boece excluded!) is an appropriate end to the Tales and to Chaucer’s oeuvre.

Released on 2 August 2021:

In the penultimate episode covering the Canterbury Tales, the panel discusses the potential links between Fragments VIII and IX, the morals of the tales included in them, particularly Cecilia’s active piety and the Manciple’s reserved discretion.

Released on 26 July 2021:

The panel discusses the final two tales in Fragment VII: the tragic vignettes of unfortunate individuals described in The Monk’s Tale, and the jolly (and much beloved) fable of the rooster Chanticleer and the wily Fox in the Nun’s Priest’s Tale.

Released on 19 July 2021:

The panel considers vice in the Shipman’s tale and piety in the Prioress’ tale, before moving on to examine Chaucer’s humble self-depiction in his rollicking minstrel song, The Tale of Sir Thopas, and in his dialogue on Prudence, The Tale of Melibee.

Released on 12 July 2021:

The panel looks at the honor-before-death connexion between Fragment V and Fragment VI as exemplified by Virginia in the Physician’s Tale, and then considers the multiple levels of moral instruction on offer in the boldly hypocritical Pardoner’s Tale.

Released on 5 July 2021:

The panel discusses Fragment V, with attention given both to scholarly theories about whether Chaucer deliberately left the Squire’s tale interrupted and unfinished, and to Chaucer’s use of estates satire in his depiction of the Franklin and his tale.

Released on 28 June 2021:

The panel discusses Fragment IV, containing two tales that deal with men who deliberately engage in unequal marriages to both good and ill results, and considers what these tales demonstrate about historical critiques of progress and the human condition.

Released on 21 June 2021:

Clinton Collister joins the panel to discuss Fragment III and its potential connexions to The Man of Law’s Tale (Fragment II), with a focus on the role of justice, legalism, crime, intent, contractual obligations, and the judicial purpose of punishment.