Some interesting reading and a poem for your week.
An interesting history of homoerotic sonnets and the work of Richard Barnfield, a contemporary of Shakespeare, who was at times thought to have written Barnfield’s work.
On the forgotten history of theater advocate, patron, actress, writer, producer, director, and feminist Eva Le Gallienne, who revolutionized early 20th-century theater.
I’ve always struggled with how Austen adaptations are so often made into sweepingly romantic stories—and a new book also questions whether Austen’s novels are truly romantic.
The fascinating history and details of the Sanborn Fire Insurance maps—which have informed scores of historical research and archaeology in the US.
The horrific irony of how the first gains made to eradicate coverture in marriage—which prohibited women from owning property—happened in the US South—because of the benefits of white women having claims to ‘own’ enslaved people.
How Balinese grave goods reflect a more connected ancient world than is often thought.
How the words we use to describe cicadas emerging from seventeen years of hibernation hold power in witnessing such amazing cycles of life.
And a poem for the week on winged creatures, by David Waggoner:
This new book that calls to question romance in Austen’s books sounds particularly interesting to me. I was obsessed with her books as a teenager. I always felt that the adaptations did so little justice to the complexity of her characters. I’m curious, what’s your hang up with the adaptations’ focus on romance?
I really enjoyed Nicole Brown's article on the simultaneous emergence of the 13 and 17-year cicadas. Thanks so much for sharing, Freya! :)