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Arabian Nights and Commercial Culture

The classic collection of middle eastern stories known as  The Arabian Nights is not in the Online Library of Liberty, which is perhaps understandable given its emphasis on irresponsible liberties taken and arbitrary exercises…

Dante at 700: What the Supreme Poet can teach us about work, love, art, and life, Introduction Part Two

A Reading Room blog series on The Divine ComedyLast week we began our introduction to Dante’s Divine Comedy with the first three of the seven overarching lessons that we can learn from the immortal Italian about work, art, love,…

Luxury and Literature in Shakespeare and Mandeville: Too Much of a Good Thing

Whenever economic times get tough, the debate over luxury--what defines it and how much of it is too much--reappears as part of public discourse. Photos from this year’s Met Gala, and the recent return of “maximalism” and its “too…

Viva Dante 700: Che può insegnarci il Sommo Poeta sul lavoro, l'amore, l'arte e la vita

Quest'anno ricorre il 700 anniversario della morte di Dante. Numerosi eventi sono stati programmati in tutto il mondo, soprattutto nella nativa Italia di Dante, per celebrare l'eredità del Il Sommo poeta. Ma di gran lunga il modo…

Dante at 700: What the Supreme Poet can teach us about work, love, art, and life

A Reading Room Series This year marks the 700th anniversary of Dante’s death. Numerous events have been planned throughout the world, especially in Dante’s native Italy, to celebrate the supreme poet’s legacy. But by far the…

The Green Knight: Romance isn’t Dead

David Lowery’s film adaptation of the 14th Century alliterative romance, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, is a thoughtful and provocative response to its source, at once more faithful and more innovative than previous film versions.…