This tragedy concludes with a question - what law do you obey? Do you obey a father asking you to do terrible things from his deathbed? Or is there a higher law? Further, where does law come from? Is it divine? Is it dictated by those closest to you?The Women of Trachis follows a set of characters as “Fate is on the march.” It’s a fascinating case of one of the women, Deianeira, the wife of Heracles, going “wrong trying to do right.”There are so many connection points in Women of Trachis to other tragedy plays. In this episode, I cover some of those connections, talk about fate, Zeus, and characters moving things along, and close with that question about law. Get full access to Books of Titans at www.booksoftitans.com/subscribe

In this podcast episode, I cover a pair of memoirs - one with a focus on a mother and the other with a focus on a father. Rick Bragg tells of his childhood in Alabama with an alcoholic father and a self-sacrificing mother, his pathway in journalism, and his attempt to pay back his mother. Debra King tells of her childhood in Wisconsin with an entrepreneurial father who was both a farmer and a gravedigger, and how that upbringing led to her path in life.* All Over but the Shoutin’ by Rick Bragg* Gravedigger’s Daughter: Growing up Rural by Debra Raye King Get full access to Books of Titans at www.booksoftitans.com/subscribe

Jonathan Haidt is an author examining the impact of anxiety on today’s youth. He delves into the mental health crisis fueled by social media and smartphone use, highlighting the contrasts between real-world protection and virtual dangers. Haidt addresses the manipulation of algorithms that prey on our subconscious, urging listeners to rethink technology's influence. He also shares personal anecdotes about digital addiction and encourages a call for moderation and awareness in screen time habits.

It’s been an incredible year of reading so far. I’ve been utterly shocked at the beauty and relevancy of Greek Literature. In this episode, I share what I’ve read so far for 2024, what I have coming up during my Summer Break, and the most important thing I’ve learned in Greek Literature. Get full access to Books of Titans at www.booksoftitans.com/subscribe

In the introduction to Ajax by Peter Meineck & Paul Woodruff, they highlight the main idea of the tragedy play:Ajax shows the aftermath of an altercation over the honors that warriors feel are due to them after battle.I love that this is a theme that shows up strongly in the Iliad as well. In fact, Ajax has so many connection point to the Iliad that it’s almost required reading before this play.Sophocles highlights so many themes that were perhaps birthed in Homer and have started percolating deeper with the tragedy writers. Some of these include:* Force vs Persuasion (Ares vs the Areopagus)* The will of the gods* Fate* Honor* GloryIn this episode, I talk about some of these themes, how they relate to other Greek literature, and what we learn about them in Sophocles’ Ajax. Get full access to Books of Titans at www.booksoftitans.com/subscribe

Exploring the moral complexities in Sophocles' Antigone, the podcast delves into the clash between Creon's authority and Antigone's defiance. Themes of sacrifice, family loyalty, and challenging established power are highlighted, along with connections to other myths and plays. The episode also discusses the evolution of ethical interpretations in Greek tragedy and announces the host's Substack platform for audience support.

Sophocles was a friend of Herodotus and a contemporary of the other Greek tragedy playwrights Aeschylus and Euripides. He wrote over 120 plays and seven of those survive. The Theban Plays (Oedipus the King, Oedipus at Colonus, and Antigone) cover major events in the life of the mythical king Oedipus of Thebes and of his children.In this podcast episode, I talk about the two Sophoclean plays about Oedipus and share what I learned about Sophocles’ discussion of prophecy, the Greek concept of a curse, and the little tiny light at the end of this disastrous tunnel of tragedy.I read translations by David Grene, Paul Woodruff, and Robert Fagles. Get full access to Books of Titans at www.booksoftitans.com/subscribe

Seven plays survive out of more than 70 written by Aeschylus during his lifetime. Last week, I covered The Oresteia, his famous trilogy, and this week I cover his four other surviving tragedy plays.I highlight the following three contrasts I’ve found throughout Greek Literature and share what we learn within these Aeschylean plays:* Fate vs The Will of Zeus* Ares (force) vs the Areopagus (debate/civilization)* Family Curse vs Human Agency Get full access to Books of Titans at www.booksoftitans.com/subscribe

In this episode, Erik Rostad discusses book 13 from his 2024 Reading List - The Oresteia by Aeschylus.Show Notes* Aeschylus* Purchase The Oresteia* Support the Podcast - Hire EPR Creations for Online Consulting* The Books of Titans Book Subscription with Landmark Booksellers* The Great Books Reading List* 2024 Reading List* Reading Resources* Books of Titans Website Get full access to Books of Titans at www.booksoftitans.com/subscribe

In this episode, Erik Rostad discusses book 11 from his 2024 Reading List – Fables by Aesop. Show Notes Aesop Purchase Aesop’s Fables Support the Podcast – Hire EPR Creations for Online Consulting The Books of Titans Book Subscription with Landmark Booksellers The Great Books Reading List 2024 Reading List Reading Resources Books of Titans...The post Aesop’s Fables appeared first on Books of Titans. Get full access to Books of Titans at www.booksoftitans.com/subscribe