Literature
Huns, Vandals, and the Collapse of the Roman Empire
Historian Edward Gibbon’s life’s mission was to chronicle the centuries-long collapse of the Roman Empire. The result of this grand endeavor became one of the […]
Literature
American Literature
Discussing The Future Of Dystopian Works
Whether it’s the current political climate or just a resurgence in popularity, dark novels such as “1984,” “The Handmaid’s Tale,” and “Parable of the Sower” are flying off the shelves. What’s next for dystopian writing? […]
Literature
Reality Through the Lens of Dystopian Literature: The Torch Podcast
Examine the parallels surrounding the intersection of Utopian and dystopian works of literature and our cultural moment in time. […]
Ancient Literature
The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire: The Torch Podcast
The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, a literary masterpiece written by Edward Gibbon, recounts the past in a profoundly truthful way, telling an incredible story and setting the bar for all future historians.
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Ancient Literature
How Did Constantine Alter the Course of the Roman Empire?
In the course, Books That Matter: The History of The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Professor Leo Damrosch examines this great work from multiple perspectives; as a vast historical chronicle, as a compelling masterpiece of literature, as a sharp commentary on cultural mores, and as a cautionary tale to Enlightenment Europe. […]
Arts
What Hamlet Teaches Us About Revenge
One of the big questions throughout anyone’s life is a common one: Should you take revenge? How much time should you give pondering revenge? In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, we see first hand where the path of vengeance can tragically lead. […]
Ancient History
The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire
For all its renown as a work of style, elegance, wit, and insight, The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by the Enlightenment historian Edward Gibbon can be quite intimidating for the armchair historian. Yet even today, centuries after its original publication, Gibbon’s historical chronicle demands to be read and understood. […]
British Literature
James Joyce’s Ulysses: Remixing The Homeric Myth
James Joyce’s Ulysses is a masterwork that has become a giant in the world of modern literature. Two main reasons: its tumultuous history and its […]
Featured
Viking Kings — Legendary Figures Of The Viking Age
The Epic of Beowulf (c. 675–725) and The Saga of Hrólf Kraki (c. 13th century) look back to the 6th century when legendary kings of Denmark and Sweden ruled from great halls and won great victories. These figures were role models and inspirations to the sea kings and territorial rulers of the Viking Age. […]
British Literature
H. G. Wells and the Quest for Utopia
Many of H. G. Wells’ science fiction stories contain fantastical utopian overtones. What was the historical impact of including these utopian settings within the context of his writings? And, relatedly, is there a way to see utopia as being inherently part of the science fiction project? […]