The Odyssey, attributed to the ancient Greek poet Homer, is one of the two major epic poems of ancient Greece, alongside The Iliad, likely composed in the late 8th or early 7th century BCE. Emerging from an oral tradition, it reflects the values, mythology, and societal structures of the Archaic Greek world, blending historical echoes of the Bronze…

Gulliver’s Travels, published in 1726 by Jonathan Swift under the pseudonym Lemuel Gulliver, is a satirical novel that stands as one of the most enduring works of English literature. Written as a parody of travel narratives popular in the 18th century, it follows the voyages of Lemuel Gulliver, a ship’s surgeon, to fantastical lands like Lilliput, …

Don Quixote, written by Miguel de Cervantes and published in two parts (1605 and 1615), is widely regarded as the first modern novel and a cornerstone of Western literature. Set in early 17th-century Spain, it emerged during the Spanish Golden Age, a period of cultural flourishing amid political decline. Cervantes, a former soldier and captive, wro…

The Divine Comedy, written by Dante Alighieri between 1308 and 1321, is an epic poem considered one of the greatest works of Western literature. Composed during Dante’s exile from Florence due to political conflicts between the Guelphs and Ghibellines, it reflects his personal struggles, theological convictions, and critique of contemporary society…

The Iliad, attributed to the ancient Greek poet Homer, is one of the oldest and most influential works of Western literature, likely composed in the 8th century BCE. Set during the Trojan War, it narrates a few weeks in the conflict’s tenth year, focusing on Achilles’ wrath and its consequences. Though rooted in oral storytelling traditions, the Il…

Macbeth, written by William Shakespeare around 1606, is a dark tragedy that explores ambition, guilt, and the corrupting influence of power. Set in medieval Scotland, the play follows the rise and fall of Macbeth, a noble warrior who is spurred by a prophecy from three witches and the ruthless ambition of his wife, Lady Macbeth, to murder King Dunc…

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s Faust, a two-part dramatic masterpiece, is rooted in the German legend of a scholar who sells his soul to the devil. Goethe began Faust, Part One in the 1770s, publishing it in 1808, depicting Faust’s pact with Mephistopheles and his tragic love for Gretchen. Faust, Part Two, completed in 1832, expands into a vast alleg…

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s Faust, a two-part dramatic masterpiece, is rooted in the German legend of a scholar who sells his soul to the devil. Goethe began Faust, Part One in the 1770s, publishing it in 1808, depicting Faust’s pact with Mephistopheles and his tragic love for Gretchen. Faust, Part Two, completed in 1832, expands into a vast alleg…

Hamlet, written by William Shakespeare around 1599–1601, is a tragedy set in the Kingdom of Denmark, exploring themes of revenge, madness, morality, and existential uncertainty. The play follows Prince Hamlet, who is tasked by his father’s ghost to avenge his murder by Claudius, Hamlet’s uncle, who has usurped the throne and married Queen Gertrude.…

In this episode, we'll be discussing the poem "Invictus" by William Ernest Henley. Invictus is a four-stanza poem, each consisting of four lines (quatrains), totaling sixteen lines. It follows a consistent iambic tetrameter, where each line typically contains eight syllables with an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed one, creating a rhythmi…

In this episode, we'll be discussing the poem The Tiger by William Blake. It was published in 1794 as part of his collection "Songs of Experience". Blake, an English poet, painter, and printmaker, is known for his vivid imagery and exploration of complex themes like creation, nature, and human existence in this work. ClassicalPoetryRules.com…

Today's episode looks at the poem "Goodbye" by Ralph Waldo Emerson. Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1803 to 1882, was an American essayist, poet, and philosopher, widely regarded as the leading figure of the Transcendentalist movement, which emphasized individualism, intuition, and a deep connection to nature. "Good-Bye" is a reflective and introspective poem…

PILOT EPISODE -- Classical Poetry as Modern Music. This inaugural episode explores "An Essay on Criticism" by Alexander Pope through the song "Where Angels Fear to Tread". If you'd like to see more of these, please like, share and follow!By Steven C Shaffer