LovelyMay
Stories
93
Chapters
1,516
Words
6.7 M
Comments
0
Reading
23 d, 5 h
-
Plotinus (A.D. 200–262) stands as a vivid figure in the landscape of ancient thought, blending mysticism with a structured philosophical pursuit of the divine. Born in Lycopolis, Egypt, he found early direction in the teachings of Alexandria, a center that offered both intellectual rigor and spiritual speculation. His life, though marked by failed ambitions—such as his thwarted journey to India—was nonetheless filled with an intense inward journey. He sought not just to understand the divine but to…-
72.7 K • Ongoing
-
-
Lucretius opens the door to a striking contrast between ancient ritual and modern thought, shedding light on the emotional resonance that classical religions might have carried for their adherents. Though we have cataloged their myths, sacrifices, and divine hierarchies in detail, little has been preserved to explain how deeply these beliefs comforted or unsettled ordinary people. This absence of personal religious reflection makes Lucretius’ intervention all the more significant. In De Rerum Natura, he…
-
72.7 K • Ongoing
-
-
To a Young American Book-Hunter, the journey begins with far more than just shelves and spines—it opens with a recognition of solitude, joy, and the curious discipline that collecting demands. A letter sent to Philip Dodsworth speaks not only with encouragement but with gentle caution. The writer understands how easy it is to be swept away by the charm of books, the smell of paper, and the pride of acquisition. Yet enthusiasm can lead to cluttered shelves and hollow purchases when one lacks a focused…
-
72.7 K • Ongoing
-
-
Rochefoucauld stands as one of literature’s sharpest critics of human behavior, wielding his pen like a scalpel to dissect motives and strip sentiment to its skeleton. Writing to Lady Violet Lebas, the author offers an appreciation of the elegance in Rochefoucauld’s prose but raises concern over the bleakness of his conclusions. The maxims, while brilliantly phrased, often cast suspicion on kindness, suggesting it stems not from generosity but from vanity or fear. This persistent reduction of all human…
-
72.7 K • Ongoing
-
-
Of Vers De Societe opens with a pointed response to Mr. Gifted Hopkins, whose poetic attempt is critiqued not out of malice, but out of a desire for refinement. The form he attempted, though seemingly light, demands more than charm—it calls for a subtle mastery of tone, wit, and restraint. Unlike other poetic expressions where emotion may roam free, society verse must flirt with feeling without ever losing its composure. The Greeks, despite their lyrical prowess, left little to this genre due to the…
-
72.7 K • Ongoing
-
-
On Vers De Société opens a thoughtful exploration into the delicate craft of sociable poetry, the kind meant not for grand epics or deep philosophical contemplation, but for gentle wit, refined charm, and light emotional touch. Rather than originate in the ancient worlds of Greece or Rome, where societal hierarchies and the exclusion of women shaped cultural expression, this genre blossomed later in the elegant courts of France. It was there, in an atmosphere of leisure, subtle flirtation, and cultivated…
-
72.7 K • Ongoing
-
-
Gerard de Nerval represents a rare literary figure whose allure lies in the dreamlike quality of his prose and the deep melancholy that permeates his work. In this reflection, shared with Miss Girton of Cambridge, the writer attempts to explain why Nerval remains somewhat inaccessible to many readers, particularly those unacquainted with his abstract take on emotion. It is not a matter of intelligence or gender but rather a question of sensibility—Nerval speaks most clearly to those who feel more than…
-
72.7 K • Ongoing
-
-
"ON BOOKS ABOUT RED MEN" opens with a tone of warm nostalgia, where a gentleman writes to a young schoolboy, Dick, about his own youthful fascination with stories of Native American life. The writer recalls days spent pretending to be an “Indian,” trying and failing to make a tomahawk or mimic Hiawatha’s rituals. He shares that the stories weren’t just imaginative fuel but sources of great enthusiasm—so much so that he once stuffed a peace pipe with tea leaves and promptly sickened himself. What…
-
72.7 K • Ongoing
-
-
Appendix I introduces readers to a lively moment in 19th-century literary history through an exploration of John Hamilton Reynolds’s spirited parody, Peter Bell: A Lyrical Ballad. This playful mockery took aim at William Wordsworth’s poetic style, anticipating the release of Wordsworth’s actual Peter Bell. Reynolds, deeply embedded in the literary culture of the time, crafted his parody with a mix of irritation and amusement, especially targeting the solemn tone and rustic simplicity that had come to…
-
72.7 K • Ongoing
-
-
Appendix II turns its gaze to the elusive visual identity of two towering figures in Roman poetry: Virgil and Lucretius. The text journeys through the tangled efforts to reconstruct their appearances, not through surviving sculptures or death masks, but from scattered and fragile artifacts that leave more to imagination than fact. For Virgil, we are offered no reliable marble bust or preserved likeness; instead, hope rests in ancient manuscripts, particularly a well-known one housed in the Vatican. This…
-
72.7 K • Ongoing
-
- Previous 1 … 46 47 48 … 152 Next