Classical Poets Live with Andrew Benson Brown
Episode 8: Torquato Tasso, “King of Poets”
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Andrew Benson Brown has had poems and reviews published in a few journals. His epic-in-progress, Legends of Liberty, will chronicle the major events of the American Revolution if he lives to complete it. Though he writes history articles for American Essence magazine, he lists his primary occupation on official forms as ‘poet.’ He is, in other words, a vagabond.
Yet another fascinating and educational presentation; and, as always, infused with your special touch of humor. By the way, you have a great voice for reciting poetry.
Appreciate your repeat viewership, Cheryl. I haven’t recited much poetry thus far but am planning on doing this more. Going to be doing more episodes on such once-famous figures.
Extremely informative. Thank you!
Thanks for watching, Geoffrey.
Great choice of subject matter. Well done Andrew.
Incidentally my choice of King of Poets would be King David because of the Psalms. Not just king of poets but a king and a poet!
May I also add that I believe there should be more historical knowledge about the crusades as people in the west are misinformed if not totally ignorant of that historical time and therefore prey to the fallacies that abound.
The Crusades has probably suffered more from historical revisionism than any other era. I love Ridley Scott’s ‘Kingdom of Heaven,’ but it portrays the Christian believers as hypocrites—basically the anti-Gerusalemme liberata. Such is the age.
And yes, you are certainly right about King David, Mia.
As always, you give us more than we ask and deserve.
Now I know why I have so few subscribers!
Thanks for being one of the supportive few, Sally.
Wonderful – intelligent, insightful, relevant – account of Tasso: loved your sidebar comments too. I have posted on my LinkedIn and FB accounts – this deserves much more dissemination. There are so many things I could comment on, but suffice for now to mention one: that marvellous bean-counting at the end where all the great works are not prose (in at No 9) but poetry; also, how epic is the pre-eminent form, and moreover, the inability to produce it, is indicative of a civilisation’s decline. There! I mentioned 3 things, not one – but then a trinity can be one, can’t it? Fabulous work, ABB. Love it.
Thanks very much for re-sharing with your network, James. Expect me to continue these ‘epic thoughts’ when I do an episode on Ariosto!
Andrew, I love this! I have found myself looking for the next ‘Classical Poets Live with Andrew Benson Brown’ for its educative, entertaining, humorous, and excellently produced content. Great stuff! Thank you very much indeed!
Susan, it pleases me that you are excited about upcoming episodes. It’s a good source of motivation for me to keep this thing going.
I am so glad to have finally, now, heard of Tasso and his excellent work. Thank you, Andrew!
Glad I could bring his name to your lips, Cynthia!
I must, must, must read Tasso. I’m thinking both of the (verse!) translations on my shelf and then go back and read whichever one I like better again. Thank you, ABB. This was great fun.
Be sure to let me know which translation you prefer. Other than Wickert’s I’ve only read Edward Fairfax’s Elizabethan one, which I also liked. Though I dipped into the prose one I mentioned in the video and hated it. So boring. Thanks for watching, Monica.