The Clashing Worldviews of Dante and Petrarch

Dante Alighieri and Francesco Petrarch were Florentine thinkers active in the 13th and 14th centuries. But their worldviews were very different, and two of their most famous texts reflect this. Dante’s On Monarchy uses Aristotelian scholasticism to argue that the Holy Roman Emperor has the right to rule over Europe. Meanwhile, Petrarch’s On His Own... Continue Reading →

The Kilt God is Cast Down

Wilfried Owen’s poem “Disabled” follows a soldier who has lost his legs during the war and is now alone and isolated. The poem uses images of color and temperature to show how the soldier changed before and after the war. The many colors and heat represent his innocence and vivacity, but after joining the military... Continue Reading →

Phillis Wheatley’s Sermon to Cambrige Students

Phillis Wheatley was an American poet who was the first African American to get published. Her poem “To the University of Cambridge in New England” is addressed to students of that university, and she tells them of Jesus’ sacrifice and the promise for redemption. This poem affirms equality through the shared sin and salvation of... Continue Reading →

Medieval Ireland Tourist Brochure

This brochure promoting tourism to Ireland is based on “The History and Topography of Ireland” by Gerald of Wales. What defined the work for me was Gerald of Wales outlining the benefits of Ireland’s natural features such as the climate and the air. I also liked how he praised the music of the native Irish... Continue Reading →

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