The Canterbury Fails

Pharaoh

Dec 22, 2021
Dive into Old English with an analysis of the obscure poem Pharaoh, exploring its connections to the Exodus and medieval riddles. Matt and David bring humor to their scholarly discussion while sipping a specially crafted cocktail inspired by the poem. The Pharaoh cocktail, a unique gin martini with a spicy twist, matches the poem's vibrant character. They debate the readability of the text and question modern interpretations of heroic language. Enjoy witty banter as they rate the poem and drink, making literature downright delicious.
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INSIGHT

Podcast Focus On Marginal Texts

  • The podcast intentionally reads marginal Old and Middle English texts rather than canonical works to spotlight obscure material.
  • Hosts frame the show as pairing small, overlooked poems with themed cocktails to make them entertaining and accessible.
INSIGHT

Cocktail Pairings As A Structural Device

  • Each episode pairs a marginal poem with a cocktail roughly inspired by the text to enhance listening enjoyment.
  • They plan to rate both the text and the cocktail at episode's end, making critique playful and structured.
ANECDOTE

Reading The Old English 'Pharaoh'

  • Matt reads the Old English poem "Pharaoh," a short nine-line piece from the Exeter Book about the Exodus army.
  • The poem asks how many were in Pharaoh's force and notes 600 chariots, then describes their destruction by waves.
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