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Critical Readings @CritReadings

Thoughtful Analysis of Essential Literature.

Joined June 2019
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CR Episode 326: The Once and Future King, Part II criticalreadings.com/2026/06…

CR Episode 326: The Once and Future King, Part II

The panel reads chapters 8–13 of The Sword in the Stone, with a focus on the precise nature of Merlin’s magic and the ‘transformations’ experienced by the Wart (but not by Kay), a…

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CR Episode 325: The Once and Future King, Part I criticalreadings.com/2026/06…

CR Episode 325: The Once and Future King, Part I

The panel reads the first seven chapters of The Sword in the Stone, with attention given to the modern and medieval aspects of the setting, White’s own narratorial voice, the differing metaph…

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CR Episode 324: The Poetry of Ralph Waldo Emerson criticalreadings.com/2026/05…

CR Episode 324: The Poetry of Ralph Waldo Emerson

The panel reads three poems by Ralph Waldo Emerson—”Uriel”, “Ode Inscribed to William H. Channing”, and “The Snow Storm”—with special attention to the role of th…

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CR Episode 323: A Midsummer Night's Dream, Act V criticalreadings.com/2026/05…

CR Episode 323: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Act V

The panel discusses the concluding act and scene of the play, with special attention to the linguistic wordplay and the Shakespearean critique of players, audiences, and critics alike in the both t…

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Critical Readings retweeted
D. N. Keane@d_n_keane
May 11
Please like, share, & consider becoming a supporter of @CritReadings
S. P. Cooper 🍋
@Prof_Cooper
May 11
With Titania and Oberon reconciled, and the love quadrangle resolved, the mechanicals are reunited with their leading man. Share and enjoy!
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Coming next Monday, Patreon supporters will receive invitations to our private Discord server: - Listen/view podcast recording sessions live on Discord! - Early access to our podcasts before they launch on the website! - Forums & chats! - Participate in selecting our readings!
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CR Episode 322: A Midsummer Night's Dream, Act IV criticalreadings.com/2026/05…

CR Episode 322: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Act IV

The panel discusses the resolution of the love quadrangle, as Puck puts right the enchantments in order to bring Oberon’s original plan to fruition, before turning to consider Titania’s…

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CR Episode 321: A Midsummer Night's Dream, Act III criticalreadings.com/2026/05…

CR Episode 321: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Act III

The panel discusses the deployment of additional fairy magic, with the transformation of Bottom and the confounding of Helena, and the confusion that results when both Bottom and Helena misbelieve …

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CR Episode 320: A Midsummer Night's Dream, Act II criticalreadings.com/2026/04…

CR Episode 320: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Act II

The panel discusses the second act and the moment in the play when the plans of the characters begin to go astray due to mischance, with special attention to the tension between Titania and Oberon,…

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CR Episode 319: A Midsummer Night's Dream, Act I criticalreadings.com/2026/04…

CR Episode 319: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Act I

The panel discusses the setting and form of the play, before discussing the first act and its complicated love quadrangle, with attention given to love and the threat of violence, and the character…

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CR Episode 318: Paradise Lost, Book IV criticalreadings.com/2026/04…

CR Episode 318: Paradise Regained, Book IV

The panel discusThe panel discusses the end of the second temptation, with Satan’s exasperation and the exhaustion of his intellect, followed by his less cunning and crafty final temptation, …

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CR Episode 317: Paradise Regained, Book III criticalreadings.com/2026/04…

CR Episode 317: Paradise Regained, Book III

The panel discusses the continuation of the second temptation in the desert, with Satan’s various presentations of worldly power, and the explication that acceptance of any of his ‘gift…

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CR Episode 316: Paradise Lost, Book II criticalreadings.com/2026/03…

CR Episode 316: Paradise Regained, Book II

The panel discusses the second book, with special attention to the newest appearance of Satan, his confusion, and the difference between his first temptation (bread) and this second temptation (a f…

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CR Episode 315: Paradise Regained, Book I criticalreadings.com/2026/03…

CR Episode 315: Paradise Regained, Book I

The panel discusses the first book of Paradise Regained, the sequel (or continuation) of Paradise Lost, with special attention paid to the particular qualities of the first temptation in the desert…

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CR Episode 314: W.H. Auden and Medievalism criticalreadings.com/2026/03…

CR Episode 314: W.H. Auden and Mediaevalism

The panel is joined by a special guest, the poet and author Aaron Poochigian, to discuss three medievally-inflected poems by Auden: “Lady Weeping at the Crossroads”, “Ode to the M…

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CR Episode 313: Sense and Sensibility, Part IV criticalreadings.com/2026/03…

CR Episode 313: Sense and Sensibility, Part IV

The panel discusses the closing chapters of the novel, with special attention to the quasi-reformation of Willoughby’s character, the depths of villainy attained by Lucy Steele, the triumph o…

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We're delighted to announce that, in Episode 314, we'll be joined by special guest @Poochigian (who has a new translation of Marcus Aurelius out), to discuss the poetry of W. H. Auden. You won't want to miss it!
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CR Episode 312: Sense and Sensibility, Part III criticalreadings.com/2026/03…

CR Episode 312: Sense and Sensibility, Part III

The panel discusses chapters 30–39, with the unveiling of secrets including Edward and Lucy’s engagement, and Colonel Brandon’s connexion to Willoughby, and featuring a discussion of Co…

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CR Episode 311: Sense and Sensibility, Part II criticalreadings.com/2026/02…

CR Episode 311: Sense and Sensibility, Part II

The panel discusses chapters 18–29, with a omparison of the relationship of Elinore and Edward versus that of Marianne and Willoughby, a discussion of the role of leisure or industry in happiness, …

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CR Episode 310: Sense and Sensibility, Part I criticalreadings.com/2026/02…

CR Episode 310: Sense and Sensibility, Part I

The panel discusses the first seventeen chapters of Sense and Sensibility, with special attention given to contemporary inheritance law, the character faults of the Dashwoods, and the opposition be…

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