Critical Readings

The hosts dive into the intriguing second act of Romeo and Juliet, highlighting the impulsive romance and the enabling figures surrounding the young lovers. They explore the dark humor of Mercutio and the warning inherent in the prologue. Discussions reveal how Shakespeare presents the lovers as ridiculous rather than ideal, along with the complexities of Friar Lawrence's motives. The commentary touches on the social stakes in Verona and critiques the impetuous decisions that lead to tragic outcomes, showcasing the layers of irony in this classic tale.

The panel discusses the genre classification of Romeo and Juliet before moving on to an examination of the poem's first act, with special attention given to the love-violence parallels, characterisation of the feuding families, and bawdy use of puns.Continue reading

The panel concludes The Dunciad with a full reading of the standalone text that became the fourth book of the 1743 edition, before examining Pope's position within the canon of early modern literature and examining his critical appraisal of his culture.Continue reading

The panel reads the third book of the 1743 Dunciad, in which the poem swells to its crescendo, heaping scorn upon the agents of Dullness and the rampant spirits of ignorance and commercialism that threaten the survival of the arts from opera to poetry.Continue reading

The panel discusses the second book of Alexander Pope's final Dunciad (of 1743), with attention to the historical personages who are satirised, including Flecknoe and Blackmore, and the effects that they had on later poets and on the English stage.Continue reading

The panel reads in full the first book of Pope's final version of The Dunciad, giving special attention to the various cultural references and personal depictions in the poem, along with a look at the parodic critical footnotes provided by the author.Continue reading

Celebrating Halloween, the panel discusses one of Washington Irving's best-known works—The Legend of Sleepy Hollow—with special attention to the role of characterisation, historical detail, and descriptive imagery in a near contemporary to Jane Austen.Continue reading

The panel discusses the concluding chapters and a series of insightful reader questions about the influence of Austen's religion, the role of romance in her novels, and her development of realistic, compelling characters with flaws and areas of growth.Continue reading

The panel discusses chapters 35–49, with special attention to the rational development of Elizabeth's appreciation of Mr. Darcy, and to Jane Austen's reformist, but not revolutionary, attitude to the social mores and expectations of Regency-era England.Continue reading

The panel dives into chapters 18-34 of Austen's classic. They reveal Mr. Darcy's hidden gallantry and dissect Mr. Collins’s absurdities. Elizabeth's struggle with family reputation and her fierce independence shines through. The dynamics of courtship take center stage, highlighted by Darcy's awkward proposal and Elizabeth's passionate rejection. Discussions also touch on economic marriage strategies versus ideals of love, and the revealing introduction of Lady Catherine de Bourgh adds tension. The exploration of social satire and wit makes this analysis refreshingly engaging.