The first of two episodes on Austen’s 1818 novel about heroine Catherine Morland’s character, reading, romantic misadventures, and engagement. References are to David M. Shapard’s annotated edition (New York: Anchor, 2013).

Continuing from Episode 8 in this series, today’s topic is Part 2 of Miguel de Cervantes’ Don Quixote (1615). 

A Spanish aristocrat, imitating the wandering knights of medieval romance, undertakes his continuing adventures. Along the way, he meets those who have read an unauthorized continuation of Part 1 recounting false adventures, and takes pains to refute them. Finally Quixote returns to his village, repudiates his beliefs in chivalric romances, and dies -- prompting us to recognize that novels, unlike romances, end in any way that the novelist determines. 

A study of the rise and fall of Iago, from Shakespeare's Othello: focusing on his motives, his rhetoric, and the role of a villain in a tragedy. This episode, the last in a three-part series on Shakespeare's villains, includes readings of Iago's key speeches and conversations.

A study of the rise and fall of Aaron, from Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus: focusing on his motives, his rhetoric, and the role of a villain in a tragedy. This episode, the second in a three-part series on Shakespeare's villains, includes readings of Aaron's key speeches.

A study of the rise and fall of Richard of Gloucester, from Shakespeare's 3 Henry VI and Richard III: focusing on his motives, his rhetoric, and the role of a villain in a history-play. This episode, the first in a three-part series on Shakespeare's villains, includes readings of Richard's key speeches.  

An introduction to four metaphysical nature-poems: George Herbert’s “Life”; Henry King’s “A Contemplation upon Flowers”; and Andrew Marvell’s “Bermudas” and “The Garden.” 

These poems share natural subjects, yet each uses flowers and plants and fruits to raise various spiritual themes: including death (most prominently); divine providence; and the contentment that derives from solitude.

Today’s topic is the first part of the first novel ever written, Miguel de Cervantes’ Don Quixote (1605): in which a mild-mannered Spanish aristocrat, bored with his life, decides to imitate the wandering knights of medieval romance. 

This is the 3rd episode on Milton’s epic poem, covering Book 4: in which Satan arrives at the Garden of Eden; Milton describes the garden and its human and animal inhabitants; and the good angels discover Satan trying to influence Eve, whispering in her ear while she dreams.