In The Fate of Art, Bernstein argues that art in modernity contains an aporia as compared to ages past. In this essay, I will reconstruct what he means in terms of this aporia and will also critically evaluate his argument for what this disjunction entails for art and aesthetics. This aporia is caused by art … Continue reading Aesthetic Alienation
Christianity and paganism appear alongside each other in the poem of Beowulf. The relationship in the text between these two seemingly incompatible belief systems. The poem of Beowulf is unique in being composed in a period of history roughly placed between paganism and Christianity. As a logical reflection of this context, the content of the … Continue reading Christianity and Paganism in Beowulf
Faithless's 1998 hit, asserted that God is a DJ - but does DJ'ing require the attainment of divine power? After all, it is simply moving from one state into another. This is the illogical and paradoxical manoeuvre that a DJ must undertake every time they pull off a mix. But how could it possibly be … Continue reading God is a DJ
Melancholy dominates the emotional mood throughout “Elegy Written in a Country Church-yard” by the poet Thomas Gray, which is appropriate for the genre of elegy. However, though the requisite of mourning is present, ancient elegies are sung for fallen heroes or great beauties that are the subject of epics and myths — and not the … Continue reading Melancholia: An analysis of Elegy Written in a Country Church-yard by Thomas Gray
In 'The Windhover' by Gerald Manley Hopkins, Christ embodies a bird of prey, this is apparent as the poem is addressed “To Christ, our Lord.” Within the poem, the windhover, a kestrel known for hovering with its head toward the wind type, descends upon its prey. However, the language he uses to describe the kill … Continue reading The Bird Divine: A comparative analysis of ‘The Windhover’ by Gerald Manley Hopkins
Since the creation of our earliest myths to the current day, the monster has played a hugely important role in characterising the inexplicable, marginal, and dissonant elements of our world. This has been especially true of 18th literature, whose monsters reflected the fears and mislaid hopes of those living in the age of reason. It … Continue reading Frankenstein: The Monster as the battleground of Sentimentality vs Rationality
Melancholy dominates the emotional mood throughout “Elegy Written in a Country Church-yard” by the poet Thomas Gray, which is appropriate for the genre of elegy. However, though the requisite of mourning is present, ancient elegies are sung for fallen heroes or great beauties that are the subject of epics and myths — and not the … Continue reading Elegy written in a Country Church-yard – Analysis & Meaning
