The Troubadour Podcast

Send us a textThis is one of Wordsworth's most far-reaching poems. It takes place in a land he never set foot on: America.Based on stories he read about traveling tribes of American Indians, he wrote this harrowing tale about a woman who is too sick to continue walking with her tribe, so they abandon her.

Send us a textIn the Oxford Book of English Verse, edited by Christopher Ricks, there are 9 William Wordsworth poems. Old Man Travelling, animal tranquility and decay was selected twice.Like many of Wordsworth's best poems, this one power is so subtle it is easy to miss it. However, it is poetry and art par excellence. Since the poem is so short I do not wish to spoil the exhilerating emotional revelation that occurs in a renewed investigation into this poem, so I will merely say that the experience this poem will give you will make you a better person. (Please note that I do not say "may" make you a better person.)

Send us a textIn November, 2019 the state of Oklahoma released almost 500 "non-violent" criminals in the largest commutation in US history. This brought up many issues regarding the justice system and the court system. But it also brings up a critical issue about the role and goals of the penal system. Can convicts be reformed? If it is possible then what is in our best interest to support? If a convict CAN be reformed, then should not not attempt to help them do so? And at the very least, should we not get in the way of possible reform?These are some important questions, among many others,that WIlliam Wordsworth asked in this poem.It was so controversial, in fact, that he removed it from all subsequent publication.

Delve into the emotional depth of 'The Female Vagrant' poem by Wordsworth, exploring loss and personal exploration in the Romantic era. Reflect on a father's tragic downfall and the impact of industrialization on traditional ways of life. Witness a woman's resilience amidst adversity as she faces rejection and sacrifices for her family.

Send us a textIn this special episode I quote several passages from William Wordsworth's prefaces to the Lyrical Ballads and passages from C. Bradley Thompson's newest book "America's Revolutionary Mind."My argument is that Wordsworth, in telling people to put away their books and look to Nature is reflecting a philosophical view from Isaac Newton and John Locke.Up ! up ! my friend, and clear your looks,Why all this toil and trouble ?Up ! up ! my friend, and quit your books,Or surely you’ll grow double.There are times when we should put away our books. More importantly, there are dangers to only look in books for answers and not thinking for ourselves. Wordsworth in Lyrical Ballads and elsewhere is desperately trying to get people to look at the reality of human nature and the greater Nature that man inhabits.This is a lesson we need now more than ever, as we are turning our backs on Man, Nature and the Right morality for living on this earth.

Send us a textI am releasing this poem on Halloween, because it is indeed a horror story. In fact, it was so terrifying that when the young Mary Shelley first heard a reading of it, she hid behind a chair. Today, this poem may not terrify us in the way that it did people at the time, but I will be making two big arguments as to why you should challenge yourself to read poems like this even if you at first do not like them.Coleridge's Mariner may be one of the most influential poems of the British romantics. Not only is there a popular Iron Maiden song but much gothic literature of the 19th century, from Frankenstein and Dracula to The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Picture of Dorian Gray, The House of the Seven Gables and the Fall of Usher was inspired by this poem. In fact, Coleridge's Mariner brings a major new strain of literary experience onto the scene. In this episode I will give you the arguments to read poems you don't like, provide a summary of the poem, read a special version of the poem, give you the origin story of the poem, some ways to understand the poem as well as a breakdown of its ideology and the influence it held.So yes, this is a big episode, prepare yourselves!"Listen, Stranger! Storm and WInd,A Wind and Tempest strong!For days and weeks it play'd us freaks--Like Chaff we drove along."Do not be chaff driven along by a tempest. Understand this poem by listening to this episode.

Send us a textPaul Guay conceived and co-wrote "Liar, Liar" and co-wrote "The Little Rascals" and "Heartbreakers." We had a wonderful conversation about movies and movie making, art and culture, the changing tide of media, being a writer and the writing process, Paul's love of WWE, his filmmaking experiences, the Auteur Theory of FIlmmaking and much much more. If you are interested in how movies are made, how to make a career in Hollywood, how the landscape is changing as well as the art of cinema, novels, short stories, poems and how that culture impacts our lives and society, this is a conversation not to be missed.

Send us a textIn his conversation poem, "Expostulation and Reply," William Wordsworth brings the art of argument into poetry. A school teacher, Matthew, trained in the classical method of jamming facts into people's foreheads, admonishes young William for sitting out in nature and contemplating it. “Up! Up! and drink the spirit breath’d / “From dead men to their kind," he says. In other words, get out of nature and read your books young Willy!Well, you can imagine the young romantic poet had something to say about that!

Send us a textThe ultimate question of the sexes: Do men love women more than Women love Men?Donne argues that his masculine love is superior than the love his woman feels for him. Maybe that's why he had such trouble with women?In this (very challenging) poem we will see two major analogies: Masculine love and angels.To understand this analogy I am going to share with you some important PRE-Newtonian concepts about the world in which we inhabit.The best way to understand history is to live it and the best way to live it is through literature.

Send us a textThere is deep value in removing yourself from your own skin and entering the skin of another person. Only through poetry and literature and painting can we exercise this ability of humans. And in this poem, Wordsworth teaching you howLines Written Near Richmond, upon the Thames at EveningBy William WordworthHow rich the wave, in front, imprestWith evening-twilight’s summer hues,While,  facing thus the crimson west,The boat her silent path pursues!And see how dark the backward stream!A little moment past, so smiling!And still, perhaps, with faithless gleam,Some other loiterer beguiling.Such views the youthful bard allure,But,  heedless of the following gloom,He deems their colours shall endure‘Till peace go with him to the tomb.—And let him nurse his fond deceit,And what if he must die in sorrow !Who would not cherish dreams so sweet,Though grief and pain may come to-morrow ?Glide gently,  thus for ever glide,O Thames !  that other bards may see,As lovely visions by thy sideAs now,  fair river! come to me.Oh glide, fair stream! for ever so ;Thy quiet soul on all bestowing,‘Till all our minds for ever flow,As thy deep waters now are flowing.Vain though! yet be as now thou art,That in thy waters may be seenThe image of a poet’s heart,How bright,  how solemn,  how serene !Such heart did once the poet bless,Who, pouring here a* later ditty,Could find no refuge from distress,But in the milder grief of pity.Remembrance! as we glide along,For him suspend the dashing oar,And pray that never child of SongMay know his freezing sorrows more.How calm !  how still !  the only sound,The dripping of the oar suspended !—The evening darkness gathers roundBy virtue’s holiest powers attended.* Collin’s Ode on the death of Thomson, the last written, I believe, of the poems which were published during his life-time  This Ode is alluded to in the next stanza.