When the glorious hero calls for his allies to follow him into battle... why should they? And how can that hero convince them? In this extremely-niche-themed episode, guest Anna Smith Spark joins us to explore the interplay of language and leadership!

In fiction, we love a great, rousing speech -- but how realistic is that stirring moment? (And do we care if it's realistic, or do we follow the Rule of Cool?) What's left when you take out the flattering lighting and the emotionally manipulative musical score? Well, you've still got language -- and language can do a lot, not only for your character dynamics, but also to reflect the values of the society you've built. And maybe it's the place of speculative fiction to investigate the virtues and truths that just might be worth dying for.

Bonus: Because Cass did promise there would be handouts: a rhetorical analysis of the St Crispin's day speech, courtesy of Cass's mentor, Ralph Alan Cohen. And if you really want to hear Cass give the speech... you can.

[Transcript TK]

Our Guest: Anna Smith Spark lives in London, UK. She loves grimdark and epic fantasy and historical military fiction. Anna has a BA in Classics, an MA in history and a PhD in English Literature. She has previously been published in the Fortean Times and the poetry website www.greatworks.org.uk. Previous jobs include petty bureaucrat, English teacher and fetish model.

Anna's favourite authors and key influences are R. Scott Bakker, Steve Erikson, M. John Harrison, Ursula Le Guin, Mary Stewart and Mary Renault. She spent several years as an obsessive D&D player. She can often be spotted at sff conventions wearing very unusual shoes.