That I am subject to intemperate change

And victim to fate’s whimsy or fate’s spite

Seems strangely undeserved of late.

Sometimes, when all is well, I wish the sun

Would ne’er set swiftly on that day;

And night, dark night forget to call.

For I am dragged relentlessly each year

Through winter’s death, and then to be restored

In spring’s resurgent breath and there,

B...

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The latest in my series of articles entitled "A Rural Calendar" which month by month explores the significance of important dates, festivals, customs and traditions practised by the inhabitants of the British Isles in the past.

Today, I examine the Month of September

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I found this article on the internet and thought it would be of interest to western writers from its singular perspective:

Preface

I have often studied the works of talented men of letters and thought to myself that I obtained some insight into their minds at work. The ways of employing words and forming expressions are indeed infinitely varied. But, accordingly, t...

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This year being the 400th Anniversary of the publication of Shakespeare’s 1623 Folio of plays, Qudos Academy examines “The Hidden Symbolism in Shakespeare's Publications” and what they mean: An analysis of the symbols employed by printers, publishers and playwrights to adorn their books.

https://qudosacademy.org/2023/06/28/the-hidden-symbolism-in-shakespeares-publications/

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Shakespeare's knowledge and personal experience of the sea and maritime navigation is not only remarkable given he lived in the land-locked town of Stratford-upon-Avon and apparently never went to sea?

Qudos Academy investigates the facts and fallacies attached to Shakespeare's plays and poetry and how he came to know so much intimately about maritime navigation.

https://qudosacademy.org/202...

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A study in the so-called "Italianate Plays" of William Shakespeare reveals quite clearly that the author of "A Comedy of Errors", "The Merchant of Venice", "King Lear", "Othello" and many more besides was personally acquainted with the Italian dramatic school known as the Commedia d'elle Arte as well as the geographical region of the Po valley. And yet according to records "Shakspere" never left E...

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What can we determine about the personality, philosophy and religious views of the poet “William Shakespeare” solely from his poetry? Is it merely a myth or legend that he was the greatest poet that ever lived or the gretest literary fraud the world has ever known? Qudos Academy examines the context and style of the Bard’s poems for their sublime illumination and assesses how a rustic playwright a...

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The intriguing mystery and circumstances surrounding the apparent accidental death of Sir Christopher Marlowe which some scholars and academics have sought to unravel. Did Marlowe really die over the cost of a lunch or was this a state-sponsored assassination? Qudos Academy investigates the facts, the false accusations and the rumours in order to establish the truth.

https://qudosacademy.org/20...

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For a number of centuries Shakespearean academics have pondered over the identity of two people who strongly influenced his poems, namely the Sonnets published in 1609.The two in question were his secret muse and a young man known as the "fair youth", speculations have since run rife. Qudos Academy examines the enigmas and the scandal that might have rocked the "Bard of Avon".

https://qudosacad...

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Was the Earl of Southampton, Henry Wriosthesley the so-called “Fair Youth” referred to in some of Shakespeare’s Sonnets or was it someone else? Oscar Wilde was convinced he had found that "fair youth" but then realised he was a "red herring" and so the controversy over Shakespeare's sexuality continues to this day.

https://qudosacademy.org/the-fair-youth-of-shakespeares-sonnets/

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What is often ignored or overlooked by academics is the vast amount of occult and magical references in Shakespeare's plays and poetry to the art of astrology, alchemy and magic. Qudos Academy examines in detail the "Bard's" interest in Neo-Platonic Symbolism from the time.

https://qudosacademy.org/the-secret-alchemy-of-shakespeare/

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We have never/ had sex/ in a car/ or a train/

We have never/ made love/ on an aeroplane/

We’ve had sex/ in the shower/, for less/ than an hour/

We washed/ away pain./

We have/ always made/ love in the sun/, the wind,/

On white/, snow-capped slopes/ amidst/ the pouring rain/

We didn’t care/ for a bed/, we did not mind/

We were/ swept away./

In a moment/ of pleasure...

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If LOVE were simple then, for sure

We'd know the blessings it truly bestows:

We'd rid our life of sad refrains, begot of earthly woes;

Our wholesome love remaining ever pure.

When virtue lies in every thought and deed,

Or promise of a future time be met.

Then likewise your sweet kisses or your warm embrace

Would seal the bargain and, God speed,

There would be no cause ...

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Critical analysis of poetry may be useful for identifying what makes poetry work or what universal or subjective meaning we might construe from reading it. Aside from that constructive criticism and in-depth analysis should enable us to enjoy and appreciate the value of poetry in our lives even more and develop our intuitive and discriminative mind in terms of understanding what it means, or why w...

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You say; "What of Eros and of Strife?"

When, I have been the prophet of my life"

Composing stanzas and similitudes,

At sunset sadly disposed of the residues.

At dawn awoke somewhat censorious,

Worn down each day by some frail chorus

Of dour philosophic platitudes;

- With thoughts sublime and obscure moods.

Awoken by some passion or desire?

The maid below re-kindles ...

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The second part of the tragic but intriguing story of the life and troubling events of Mary Stuart’s life as the first and very last female monarch of Scotland.

https://qudosacademy.org/2022/05/09/the-true-lamentable-tragedy-of-mary-queen-of-scots-2/

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As part of my series "Shakespeare's She-Wolves" I am looking at the tragic but intriguing story of the life and troubling events of Mary Stuart’s life as the first and very last female monarch of Scotland.

https://qudosacademy.org/2022/04/29/the-true-lamentable-tragedy-of-mary-queen-of-scots/

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Qudos Academy investigates the prevailing attitude of Shakespeare towards those strong women in Elizabethan England who influenced his plays and poetry. Also a big shout out to all the strong women of Afghanistan and Iran, young and old who are peacefully protesting against a brutal and repressive regime who, under the auspices of religious doctrines are daily robbing them of their freedom to wear...

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Have been preoccupied with several articles related to Shakespeare Authorship and their relevance to today's thoughts on mental health, gender stereotypes and free speech. This week I ask: "What was the prevailing attitudes to deformity by Shakespeare and his contemporaries?" Qudos Academy examines Elizabethan attitudes to physical deformity and numerous references found in Shakespeare’s plays.

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After several years in exile during which time I have published my book "Shakespeare's Qaballah" in 2022 and an anthology of poetry ("Parthenogenesis") I am returning to Write Out Loud with a weekly blog highlighting my Wordpress Website (www.qudosacademy.org) where there are over 200 articles on a variety of subjects including:

Not Without Mustard (Screenplay Submission)
As part of promoting ...

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