The Canterbury Fails

Dive into a world of Old English poetry as Matt and David unravel the complexities of the Junius Manuscript. Discover the engaging interplay between Nebuchadnezzar's dreams and tyrannical imagery. They explore how misreading signs can lead to tyranny while affirming divine power. Enjoy a tantalizing cocktail recipe that brings tiki vibes to the discussion, and engage in discussions comparing biblical texts to epic tales like Beowulf. All this, intertwined with a spirited critique of authority and the role of poetry in shaping political imagination!

Is Chaucer out of control? Is the Canterbury Fails studio out of control? Is this whole thing completely out of control? With tiki drinks.

5 minutes after David gets home from a late flight and breaks into his own house, we have to answer the simple question: "Can a poem be both a justification and an interrogation of the ways of God to man?" We try and mostly fail to figure out this Biblical epic, but we enjoy a potent monastic Calvados Pow! Right in the kisser. .

Can a compendium of terrifying recipes for female health problems represent resistance to patriarchal authoritarianism? And can a violet brandy disaster taste any worse? Find out on this week's Canterbury Fails.

A bearded Coley and plain faced Hussey debate Cynewulf's ethnic ideological steamroller with special guest appearance by a demon, Judas (not the one you think), and a very stern war-lady. Plus an anisette and smoke blasted cocktail.

CHAUCER'S DEAD. So dead. Dead. Dead. Dead. Dr. Gillespie and Dr Echard discuss this, plus John of Gaunt's decaying phallus, Gower's poseur tomb, King Arthur's butterfly bishop, and more.

The rank and brutal foulness of the brown fizzy berry cruelty overwhelmed the judicial malfeasance and filicidal love of these Middle English moral exempla. Everything sucked.

Matt and David freak the hell out about Beowulf after an exploding flaming cinnamon disaster / triumph, and one of us still has glitter in our teeth. Hwæt?

In the first episode of season 5, Matt and David ask--and do not quite answer--whether we can read medieval English literature in terms of fascism or antifascism. The new direction for the podcast. Plus a literally on fire cherry themed shot. BAM. Join us!

Matt and David bring the Canterbury Fails roadshow to Kalamazoo with six amazing guests: Valerie Allen, Ruth Evans, Martin Foys, Jordan Zweck, and Jeff Stoyanoff and Kara McShane. They cover some kooky and intriguing Fails. Happy Summer!