If – poem by Rudyard Kipling
Written in the form of advice from a father to a son, the poem “If—”, by British author Rudyard Kipling (1865–1936) reflects Victorian-era ideals of courage, honor, strength, and manliness. IF- Rudyard Kipling (1910)...
Tagged: eil
Handbag Scene from Wilde’s Importance of Being Earnest
If you enjoy humor, don’t miss Oscar Wilde’s play, Importance of Being Earnest. Here is an audio recording of John Gielgud and Edith Evans performing in one of the most famous scenes from the play...
1952 film The Importance of Being Earnest clip
Enjoy these clips from the 1952 film of Oscar Wilde’s play, “The Importance of Being Earnest,” starring Dame Edith Evans (Lady Bracknell), Michael Redgrace (Jack Worthing), Joan Greenwood (Gwendolyn), Michael Denison (Algernon), and Dorothy...
De Profundis by Oscar Wilde
Oscar Wilde’s De Profundis is the lengthy letter he wrote from prison. He begins, “Suffering is one very long moment. We cannot divide it by seasons. We can only record its moods, and chronicle their return.”
On the Massacre of the Christians in Bulgaria by Oscar Wilde
In the poem, “On The Massacre Of The Christians In Bulgaria,” the poet calls out to God to “come down . . . and show Thy might” in response to the 1876 massacre of...
Animated Bayeux Tapestry video
Watch the story of the Norman Conquest unfold in this four minute animated video of part of the Bayeux Tapestry. Don’t miss this! Other Literature and Composition (E2) videos
Ivory Consort Medieval Music videos
The Ivory Consort is a contemporary musical group dedicated to the authentic performance of medieval music. Be sure to notice the interesting instruments they’re playing. Other Literature and Composition (E2) videos
Mark Antony’s Funeral Oration Video
Mark Antony – Funeral Oration from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar (Act III, Scene II) Performed by Nick Baldasare “Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears . . .”. Is there anyone who hasn’t heard Mark...
Julius Caesar Handel opera aria “Se pieta di me non senti”
Listen to this aria, “Se pieta di me non senti” from Handel’s opera Giulio Cesare (Julius Caesar). Natalie Dessay as Cleopatra Production: David McVicar Conductor: Harry Bicket Final Dress Rehearsal for The Metropolitan Opera...
Julius Caesar Handel opera aria “L’angue offeso mai riposa”
Listen to this recitative and aria from Handel’s opera Giulio Cesare (Julius Caesar in Egypt). Max Emanuel Cencic, countertenor Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne, conducted by Ottavio Dantone. Salle Métropole, Lausanne, Switzerland, May 12,...
OperaTalk on Handel’s Julius Caesar in Egypt
George Frideric Handel wrote the opera, Julius Caesar in Egypt. You can hear San Diego OperaTalk’s Nick Reveles discuss the opera, Handel, baroque opera, and musical ornamentation in an interesting episode of San Diego...
Hollow Men Music
This recording of Vincent Persichetti’s composition, “The Hollow Men, for trumpet & string orchestra, Op. 25” evokes the dark mood of both Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness and T. S. Eliot’s poem “The Hollow...
Walden Pond Video
Walden Pond Video and More Here is a brief video of Walden Pond with narration in Thoreau’s own words. Trailer for Henry David Thoreau: Surveyor of the Soul Henry David Thoreau: Surveyor of the Soul,...
Robinson Crusoe Theme Music from 1970s TV show
The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe was a French-German children’s television drama series made by Franco London Films (a.k.a. FLF Television Paris). The series was based on the first of Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe novels, but...
Robinson Crusoe Opera by Jacques Offenbach
Offenbach’s Opera Version of Robinson Crusoe Daniel Defoe’s early novel, Robinson Crusoe, has inspired artists and musicians for generations. Jacques Offenbach (1890–1880) wrote an opéra comique called Robinson Crusoé which was first performed at...
Glass Armonica-Tchaikovsky
Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy by Tchaikovsky William Zeitler plays this piece on the glass armonica, an invention of Benjamin Franklin, while other unseen instruments provide accompaniment. Other American Literature (E3) videos
What is Iambic Pentameter?
I heard about iambic pentameter for years before I understood what it meant. I was able to figure out that it had something to do with five (penta), but the standard definition, “in poetry,...
Copywork: How Benjamin Franklin Taught Himself to Write Well
Although copywork is often seen as an exercise for young students, it’s a classic tool that is useful for almost anything you want to learn to do well. Artists copy the works of great...
How to Read Poetry Aloud
Reading poetry aloud is a wonderful way to internalize the rhythm and cadence of beautifully crafted language, as well as poetic imagery. Learning to read poetry aloud can lead to creative recitations, and the...
“Opportunity” by Edward R. Sill (1841-1887)
This I beheld, or dreamed it in a dream:– There spread a cloud of dust along a plain; And underneath the cloud, or in it, raged A furious battle, and men yelled, and swords...
The Adventures of Ulysses by Charles Lamb
THE ADVENTURES OF ULYSSES BY CHARLES LAMB PREFACE This work is designed as a supplement to the Adventures of Telemachus. It treats of the conduct and sufferings of Ulysses, the father of Telemachus. The...
Poetry by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (February 27, 1807 – March 24, 1882) was an American poet and educator whose most famous works include a translation of Dante Alighieri’s The Divine Comedy and the poem “Paul Revere’s Ride.”...
Paul Revere’s Ride by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
PAUL REVERE’S RIDE by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Composed as a narration by the landlord of the Wayside Inn, Longfellow’s 1860 poem, “Paul Revere’s Ride,” is the fictionalized retelling of a patriotic story. It was...
Dr. Drake’s Chaucer Study Questions
Geoffery Chaucer Study Questions by Dr. Alfred J. Drake “General Prologue” to Canterbury Tales 1. What is the basic purpose of the “General Prologue?” 2. Study lines 1-18. What seem to be the motives...
T S Eliot Poetry
Thomas Stearns Eliot (1888-1965) was a great Modernist poet who converted to Christianity mid-way through his career. He was a contemporary of Joseph Conrad, George Bernard Shaw, and Virginia Woolf, to name just a...
The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock by T. S. Eliot
The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock by T. S. Eliot S’io credesse che mia risposta fosse A persona che mai tornasse al mondo, Questa fiamma staria senza piu scosse. Ma perciocche giammai di...
Gerard Manley Hopkins Poetry
Gerard Manley Hopkins Poetry Gerard Manley Hopkins is a favorite here at EIL, as his poems are especially lovely for memorization and copywork. We will be expanding our collection of his poetry in the...
Psalm 19: Coeli Enarrant by Sir Philip Sidney
Psalm 19: Coeli Enarrant by Sir Philip Sidney 1554-1586 The heavenly frame sets forth the fame Of him that only thunders; The firmament, so strangely bent, Shows his handworking wonders. Day unto day doth...
Laus Deo by John Greenleaf Whittier
LAUS DEO! by John Greenleaf Whittier On hearing the bells ring on the passage of the constitutional amendment abolishing slavery. The resolution was adopted by Congress, January 31, 1865. The ratification by the requisite...
For Righteousness’ Sake by John Greenleaf Whittier
FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS’ SAKE by John Greenleaf Whittier Inscribed to friends under arrest for treason against the slave power. THE age is dull and mean. Men creep, Not walk; with blood too pale and tame...
