outside of a dog

Remembering the late Umberto Eco's breakthrough novel, we discuss medieval theology, postmodern philosophy and why Sherlock Holmes sucks so very much.

Recommendations:

Umberto Eco, The Foucault Pendulum

Open Marginalis

We conclude our Shakespeare Sonnet series by discussing how troubled the author's love life seems, what the Sonnets gain by being read in context, and why you should always read the footnotes.

The Fair Youth and the Dark Lady come head to head, as we discuss Sonnet 144 and its soap-opera love triangle, continued misogyny and allusions to STDs.

Realistic declaration of love or negative putdown? Sonnet 130 has us puzzling its ambiguities as well as its self-reflexivity. 

The first of our chosen sonnets directed at the "Dark Lady", 129 offers a merciless portrayal of sex as something dirty and shameful, destroying the illusions of love.

Taking a step back, we see whether Sonnet 56 is the better and more realistic appraisal of love as something simultaneously wonderful and horrible.

Talking about one of Shakespeare's most popular poems, we argue whether this is a shallow crowd-pleaser or another anguished study in self-doubt.

Discussing Sonnet 78, we talk about the mysterious "Rival Poet" and how jealous Shakespeare can be

Continuing the bleakness of the previous poem, we try to find a glimmer of hope and romance in Sonnet 65.

Entering the "dark" 60s, Sonnet 64 presents us with a depressing view on mortality and transience.