Epics/Sagas Episodes

Aug. 29, 2022

62. Draupadi (Sanskrit Epics)

In today's episode, we talk about Draupadi from the Sanskrit epic the Mahābhārata. We discuss her role in the famous epic, her multiple husbands and their relationships, and her importance today.

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Jan. 31, 2022

48. Manimekalai (Tamil Epics)

In today's episode we discuss Manimekalai, the heroine of another Tamil Epic. We compare and contrast it with the Silippatikaram (previously covered in Episode 17), examine the story of two minor characters within the narrative, and express our love for …

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July 19, 2021

34. Grendel's Mother (Beowulf)

In today's episode, we discuss Grendel's Mother from the Anglo-Saxon epic poem Beowulf. We discuss cycles of violence, the subjective experience of grief, and the ways in which translation matters in the way we interpret epics.

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Jan. 11, 2021

17. Kannaki (Tamil Epics)

In our seventeenth episode we discuss Kannaki, the heroine of the earliest Great Tamil Epic, The Cilappatikāram. We talk about karma, the power of women's rage, and what makes a virtuous woman. For more information about toda...

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Dec. 28, 2020

15. Guðrún Ósvífrsdóttir (Sagas of Icelanders)

In today's episode, we discuss Guðrún Ósvífrsdóttir, the protagonist of the thrilling Laxdæla Saga. We talk about tragic love triangles, domineering women, and prophetic dreams. This episode has a TRIGGER WARNING for transpho...

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Nov. 9, 2020

8. Gudrid and Freydís (Greenlanders' Sagas)

In our eighth episode, we discuss Gudrid Thorbjarnardóttir and Freydís Eiríksdóttir, the two principle female characters from the Greenlanders' Sagas (The Greenlanders' Saga and the Saga of Eirik the Red). We discuss the impo...

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