The Life and Adventures of Lázaro de Tormes
1. The Blind Beggar
Lázaro, born on the banks of the Tormes River, endures a difficult childhood. After his thieving father’s death, his mother marries a black man. Facing prejudice, Lázaro’s mother sends him to serve a blind beggar. The beggar, though cruel, teaches Lázaro street smarts and survival tactics. Lázaro, driven by hunger, resorts to trickery to steal food from the blind man. He unpicks the beggar’s bread bag, hides pieces of white bread, sips wine through a straw, and creates
Read MoreOedipus Rex: Tragedy of Fate and Free Will
Sophocles
Oedipus Rex
CHARACTERS
Oedipus.
Priest.
Creon.
Chorus of Theban elders.
Tiresias.
Jocasta.
Messenger.
Layo server.
Another messenger.
(In front of the palace of Oedipus, at Thebes.
A group of elders and young people are sitting on the steps of the altar, in supplication, carrying olive branches. The Priest of Zeus is advanced only to the palace. Oedipus comes out followed by two assistants and provides the group in silence. Then address them.)
Oedipus
– Oh children, new descendants
Caravaggio’s Death of the Virgin: Analysis & Meaning
Caravaggio’s Death of the Virgin
Analysis and Meaning
Introduction
Michelangelo Merisi, better known as Caravaggio, painted Death of the Virgin in 1606. This oil on canvas, measuring 3.7 x 2.5 meters, is housed in the Louvre Museum in Paris. It’s a pivotal work from Caravaggio’s mature period, showcasing his signature style that garnered both ardent supporters and staunch detractors.
Context and Commission
The painting was commissioned by Laerzio Cherubini for the Santa Maria della Scala church, belonging
Read MoreKiss of the Spider Woman: A Tale of Love, Revolution, and Betrayal
Kiss of the Spider Woman
Summary
Kiss of the Spider Woman tells the story of two cellmates in an Argentine prison during a repressive regime. Valentin Arregui Paz is a revolutionary, imprisoned for his political beliefs. Luis Alberto Molina is a homosexual, imprisoned for corruption of minors. To pass the time, Molina recounts his favorite movies, offering a fantastical escape from their harsh reality.
Molina’s Movies
Molina’s vivid retellings include:
- The Panther Woman
- Leni and the German Officer
- The
Beowulf: Exploring Heroism, Comitatus, and Christian/Pagan Influences
The Mead Hall’s Role in Beowulf
The mead hall was central to aristocratic life in Anglo-Saxon culture. Kings and lords, along with their courts, ate, drank, enjoyed songs and stories, and conducted business within its walls. The lord’s followers typically slept there as well. In Beowulf, the hall embodies this tradition, yet possesses a unique mystique. The sounds of merriment and praise of God within the hall provoke Grendel’s wrath. Despite his nightly attacks, Grendel avoids the king’s high
Read MoreThe Headscarf Dilemma: Balancing Freedom and Secularism in Schools
The Headscarf Dilemma: Balancing Freedom and Secularism
Najwa Malha, a 16-year-old student at Camilo Jose Cela College in Pozuelo (Madrid), arrived at school wearing a hijab (an Islamic veil covering the head and neck). She faced a difficult choice: comply with the school’s policy against head coverings or find a new school. Fortunately, a nearby school permitted head coverings, safeguarding her right to education. This incident raises complex questions about individual freedom, secularism, and
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