Pope Joan - Challenging Patriarchy

Pope Joan, or at least the poem that bears her name, challenges many patriarchal institutions - the Church, male authority, state power and the accepted notions of what a women is capable of. However, is she brought down by God, by men, by maternity, or by fate?

'Circe' - An Introduction

Here's one of your podcasts. It is very good quality - some really good comparisons and excellent points made. Well delivered and well written. You can find out here what 'Circe' actually means, too. If you have time, guys, maybe you could give some feedback on these podcasts - especially the quality of this one.

Circe - Pigging out, feminism stylee

Circe is a figure from Greek myth, a sorceress. Remember that I said that all powerful women who transgress boundaries (that have been set up by men) are labelled as monsters. Here, Duffy takes on the persona of Greece's most famous pig-eating individual. Are men pigs?

Eurydice - Outwitting Patriarchy

Eurydice is one of the few women in the collection to COMPLETELY outwit patriarchy. Find out more here. Interestingly, although I talk about 'Dark Lady' here, I don't mention the reference to the 'White Goddess', who is a figure invented by the poet Robert Graves that he believed was the inspiration for all male poets. The idea of a female muse is one of many dangerous anti-female ideas becasue it silences actual women's voices and identities, as well as positioning men as 'creators of art', leaving women only as subject matter, effectively. Eurydice outwits them all..

Why, why, why Delilah?

How does Delilah fit in with constructivist feminist ideas, and essentialist feminist ideas? Can men ever be gentle, not destructive? Knowing what we know about women's portrayal in the Bible, what can Carol Ann Duffy teach us in 'Delilah'?

'Medusa' and aporia

What is aporia? How does this relate to Carol Ann Duffy? Funny you should ask, actually.

The Bible in 'The World's Wife'

The Bible, central to our culture (arguably). Certainly the most quoted text in the West - even now. Why does Carol Ann Duffy use Biblical characters? Find out here.