|
|
Post by dinadan on Apr 25, 2005 9:23:40 GMT -5
I'd say try to get a handle on his fiction first; something like Many Dimensions and War in Heaven would be an good intro into the kind of complex thinker he is. And, if you can, try to find a one-volume edition of the Arthurian poems that comes with the five chapters of Williams' on the history of the Arthurian tale, and followed by Lewis' criticism and commentary on the poems.
And, the best advice I can give you is read, read, and reread the poems. I find something new every time. And I find that over time, different poems become my "favorite" in the cycle.
Oh, and if you need references for things Arthurian, you could try having a copy of Mike Dixon-Kennedy's COMPANION TO ARTHURIAN AND CELTIC MYTH AND LEGEND.
|
|
|
|
Post by Tegid on Jun 10, 2005 23:38:16 GMT -5
I have now read 'Many Dimensions' and very much liked it!
Can someone help me out with a detail in it? A couple times there was mention of one Asmodeus, of whom I had never heard. Once in the book, if I read it rightly, it said that sometime after Solomon's reign started, this Asmodeus for whatever reason had the throne for seven years in Solomon's stead, and then Solomon again took up his rule (-- not something in Kings or Chronicles, for sure). Does anyone know to what Williams is referring here? Am I totally misreading this? The Asmodeus references I found online were for a completely different situation much later, in apocryphal inter-testament times.
|
|
|
|
Post by dinadan on Jun 11, 2005 8:30:49 GMT -5
I have now read 'Many Dimensions' and very much liked it! Can someone help me out with a detail in it? A couple times there was mention of one Asmodeus, of whom I had never heard. Once in the book, if I read it rightly, it said that sometime after Solomon's reign started, this Asmodeus for whatever reason had the throne for seven years in Solomon's stead, and then Solomon again took up his rule (-- not something in Kings or Chronicles, for sure). Does anyone know to what Williams is referring here? Am I totally misreading this? The Asmodeus references I found online were for a completely different situation much later, in apocryphal inter-testament times. You'd have to do some searching the apocryphal writings of the Jews to find the story William's is talking about. Yes, you've got the gist of it. Solomon's ring and Solomon's stone between them gave him power over all created things, including one Prince of Demons, Asmodeus. While wearing the Stone and the Ring, Solomon was the closest thing a mortal human being could ever come to being Christ (as God Incarnate); but, of course, not being God, he misused his power alot--and one of those mistakes led to Asmodeus ruling in Jerusalem for seven years while Solomon wandered as a beggar. |
|
|
|
Post by dinadan on Feb 3, 2006 15:04:19 GMT -5
So over the holidays, I read CW's The Shadows of Ecstacy, and I have to say I was profoundly disturbed by it.
The spirituality of the books' antagonist, Mr. Nigel Considine, as well as his politics, sounds like something straight out of post-colonial thought. And, considering that Considine is the figure of the Anti-Christ, it was jarring to see how much of modern spiritual and political thought (and by modern, I mean current--long, long after CW's death) is emodied in his messages.
The books' ending also troubled me a great deal. I can't help thinking that CW might've planned to return to the character of Considine sometime later.
In all, it was an excellent book. Next on my list is The Place of the Lion.
|
|
