Alexander Schmid Podcast

In this lecture, we consider (a) the themes, shape, speakers, of Dante's fourth sphere of heaven, The Sun; (b) we consider the shared perspectives of St. Thomas Aquinas on St. Francis of Assisi (10, 11, 13), and the perspective of St. Bonaventure on St. Dominic; (c) we conclude by considering in which way King Solomon, the fifth light on Aquinas' circle, could be perfect like Adam and Christ. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/support

In this lecture, we observe: (a) the reunion of Telemachos and Odysseus and their plot to destroy the suitors; (b) we meet Melanthios, the ungracious goatherd, and observe how some in Ithaka have turned from Odysseus and from what is right; (c) and we conclude with an examination of Argos, the old hunting dog of Odysseus, as a symbol for what Ithaka has become in Odysseus' absence. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/support

In this lecture we consider, (a) Dante's argument for why god became man; and then we move into (b) Venus, and meet Charles Martel, Cunizza da Romano, Folco de Marseilles, and Rahab, the prostitute of Jericho; (c) we conclude with a brief consideration of the relationship between the stars, one's providential destiny, and one's choices on earth.  --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/support

In this lecture, we (a) begin the third and final part of Homer's "Odyssey" (Part 1: Bks 1-4; Part 2: Bks 5-13; Part 3: Bks 14-24) (b) observe the hospitality of Eumaios and parallels between him and Odysseus, (c) and see Telemachos meet Eumaios in front of his long-lost, and disguised, father, Odysseus. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/support

In this lecture, we consider (a) the second sphere of Paradise: Mercury and make several connections between the number six (6th century emperor, 6th cantos in each canticle, 6th book of Virgil's "Aeneid"); (b) we observe the speech of Justinian and the mythological and factual history of Rome from Aeneas to the Caesars to Charlemagne and downward to contemporary Guelphs and Ghibellines; and (c) we conclude by having an emperor consider the humble individual: Romeo de Villenueve. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/support

In this lecture we observe: (a) Odysseus' encounter with the Sirens, Skylla and Charybdis, and the Cattle of the Sun on Thrinakia; (b) Poseidon turning the Phaiakian ship to stone (and Odysseus being deposited in Ithaka); (c) and Odysseus being reunited with Athene (conspicuously at home), and plotting the destruction of the suitors. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/support

In this review session on Dante's "Purgatorio," cantos 1-28 are reviewed: from Dante's entrance to Purgatory to his third and final dream before his ascent into Terrestrial Paradise. If a review on Terrestrial Paradise is desired, revisit Lecture 27 (Purgatorio Lecture 10) from this year. Students, please note that the audio covers slides 1-89; the final slides (90-120) are covered by Lecture 27 from this year. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/support

In this lecture, the entire narrative of Homer's "Iliad" is rapidly reviewed. The review includes major events, characters, and themes. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/support

In this lecture, we conclude our trip into Homer's underworld: (a) we meet Agamemnon, Achilleus, and Aias the Greater again, (b) see the arch-sinners Tityos, Tantalos, and Sisyphos, and (c) learn about the strange condition of Herakles, both shade and god. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/support

In this lecture, we introduce Dante’s “Paradiso”. Specifically, we consider (a) Ptolemy’s geocentric model of the universe and its relation to Paradise; (b) we consider Ovidian elements in Dante’s “Paradiso” as well as whether (1) Dante is fully in Paradise, (2) his mind is in Paradise, or (3) Paradise is within him, and (c) we meet Piccarda Donati and Empress Constance in The Sphere of the Moon and consider six profound questions. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/support

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. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/support

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. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/support

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. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/support

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). --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/support

In this lecture, we focus on: (a) examples of gluttony and temperance on Terrace 6 and meet Forese Donatio 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). --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/support

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! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/support

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. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/support

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. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/support

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. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/support

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. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/alexander-schmid9/support