Classical references abound, most notably in the names of three of the film's primary characters: Imperator Furiosa, Nux, and Rictus Erectus.
Thursday, August 6, 2015
Mad Max: Fury Road
Mad Max: Fury Road has been a huge critical and commercial success this summer.
Classical references abound, most notably in the names of three of the film's primary characters: Imperator Furiosa, Nux, and Rictus Erectus.
Classical references abound, most notably in the names of three of the film's primary characters: Imperator Furiosa, Nux, and Rictus Erectus.
Wednesday, August 5, 2015
Jeopardy!
Today's Final Jeopardy clue:
A: The three Latin phrases found in the Constitution are pro tempore, ex post facto, and this legal two-word phrase.
Q: What is habeas corpus?
A: The three Latin phrases found in the Constitution are pro tempore, ex post facto, and this legal two-word phrase.
Q: What is habeas corpus?
Tuesday, August 4, 2015
Cassandra
In the Aeneid, Vergil tells the story of the doomed Trojan prophetess Cassandra:
The Swedish pop group ABBA tells the same story in this epic 1982 performance:
"Some of us wanted but none of us would / Listen to words of warning."
Tunc etiam fatis aperit Cassandra futuris
ora dei iussu non umquam credita Teucris.
Nos delubra deum miseri, quibus ultimus esset
ille dies, festa velamus fronde per urbem. (2.246-249)
The Swedish pop group ABBA tells the same story in this epic 1982 performance:
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| See the full video here. |
"Some of us wanted but none of us would / Listen to words of warning."
Xarelto Commercial
So what does Xarelto, a blood thinner for people with atrial fibrillation, have to do with Roman language and culture?
This commercial for Xarelto begins with a woman named Mary taking her granddaughter to a museum exhibit on ancient Rome. After her doctor prescribes Xarelto, though, Mary feels so healthy and vigorous that she can take her granddaughter to Italy, instead!
The scene at the Trevi Fountain is especially ridiculous. Mary and her granddaughter seem to be the only two people there, happily turning their backs to Oceanus and tossing coins over their shoulders with no one else in sight. Where is the mob of tourists?
I also like the tuxedo-clad opera singer busking outside the Pantheon. I've seen a lot of aggressive street vendors hawking cheap merchandise there, but I've never seen a performance by a distinguished Italian tenor.
This commercial for Xarelto begins with a woman named Mary taking her granddaughter to a museum exhibit on ancient Rome. After her doctor prescribes Xarelto, though, Mary feels so healthy and vigorous that she can take her granddaughter to Italy, instead!
The scene at the Trevi Fountain is especially ridiculous. Mary and her granddaughter seem to be the only two people there, happily turning their backs to Oceanus and tossing coins over their shoulders with no one else in sight. Where is the mob of tourists?
I also like the tuxedo-clad opera singer busking outside the Pantheon. I've seen a lot of aggressive street vendors hawking cheap merchandise there, but I've never seen a performance by a distinguished Italian tenor.
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