This has been such a distressing episode to read. Guilt is such a difficult emotion to manage, and so isolating. I imagine there must be times in everyone's life when they believe themselves to be 'too beastly awfully weird for words,' and Joyce perfectly captured how grotesquely exaggerated everything appears in that state, and the terrifying sense that there's no way out, it being impossible to escape ourselves. I was really struck by the talk of waste at the start of the episode. While I think all of our emotions are incredibly valuable, I often feel that guilt is the one I've wasted the most time on. It is so easy for our inner crtitic to not only fulfil its purpose of teaching us about our values and those of society, but to leave us feeling shame, judging not only our actions but the essence of who we are. This can be paralysing, and is so often needless. We put ourselves on trial and punish ourselves for being human, and we can never get it right, illustrated by Bloom being accused at various points in the episode of being both too cruel and too kind. Him throwing away the food he had bought also reminded me of the times in our lives when we give huge parts of ourselves to a person, a dream or a passion, and in hindsight regret this so much that we throw away any learning or joy we could have gained from this experience, leaving us poorer.
Here I am reading your comment three years after you wrote it and fully resonating with everything you said (especially with that last part). It's moments like this when i truly love the internet
Another great video, thanks. I’ve read so many guides to this episode but your mention of guilt is by far the most important theme that helps tie up the episode. I think hallucinations is a bit of a misnomer... the theme of guilt is far more instructive in understanding this chapter. Thanks.
Funny how Joyce wasn’t a fan of Strindberg, and still this chapter has an odour of August’s dream-play style oozing notably from it, and it was definitely on the same level, great stuff.
@@TeachUBusiness It’s been done! Check en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulysses_in_Nighttown for starters, as well as right here on TH-cam: th-cam.com/video/wi0fzpWWJHw/w-d-xo.html
The Biblical reference of a blind father touching his son would be to Isaac touching Jacob (who is pretending to be Esau) before giving him his blessing. Rebecca, Jacob's mother, has had him dress in an animal skin to disguise his scent and the fact that he is not hairy like Esau.
Michael Goldenberg Indeed. I remember that story. Thanks for filling in the details. Glad you are still along for the ride! I tried to do the Penelope video today but I was not happy with it...maybe tomorrow!
Just want to bring to your attention that I have posted a carefully edited version of the book, Ulysses 2022, based in part on its original serialized version. With overall proportionality and reader-friendliness in mind, the novel has been shortened by 15%. "Circe", which I agree is the most difficult episode, has shrunk from 38,000 to 22,000 words. See it here: www.johnlevesqueauthor.com/post/ulysses22"
Circe needs to be digested. The first part is a wonderful gothic horror novella. Once inside Cohen's brothel, things go weird. Every vile thought comes to life. I had a lot of trouble with this chapter for a few reads and then it opened up. Try to take your time but come back later and read it again. It might sound funny, but that chapter is so scary I almost fear for you having to go through it...
Hi man!! There's a book called Memórias Póstumas de Bras Cubas (The Epitaph of a Small Winner) by Machado de Assis.it's really very similar to Ulysses. I think you'll like it.
This has been such a distressing episode to read. Guilt is such a difficult emotion to manage, and so isolating. I imagine there must be times in everyone's life when they believe themselves to be 'too beastly awfully weird for words,' and Joyce perfectly captured how grotesquely exaggerated everything appears in that state, and the terrifying sense that there's no way out, it being impossible to escape ourselves.
I was really struck by the talk of waste at the start of the episode. While I think all of our emotions are incredibly valuable, I often feel that guilt is the one I've wasted the most time on. It is so easy for our inner crtitic to not only fulfil its purpose of teaching us about our values and those of society, but to leave us feeling shame, judging not only our actions but the essence of who we are. This can be paralysing, and is so often needless. We put ourselves on trial and punish ourselves for being human, and we can never get it right, illustrated by Bloom being accused at various points in the episode of being both too cruel and too kind. Him throwing away the food he had bought also reminded me of the times in our lives when we give huge parts of ourselves to a person, a dream or a passion, and in hindsight regret this so much that we throw away any learning or joy we could have gained from this experience, leaving us poorer.
You have really added to the conversation with your wonderful comments. You say it brilliantly. Thank you!
Just wanted to say that I find your comments incredibly insightful and compassionate! Respect
@@wasfuerkeksigkeit Thank you so much! That means such a lot to me. I hope you're enjoying Ulysses. I can't believe how close we are to the end now!
Yes throwing the baby out w the bath water- done it many a time
Here I am reading your comment three years after you wrote it and fully resonating with everything you said (especially with that last part). It's moments like this when i truly love the internet
Another great video, thanks. I’ve read so many guides to this episode but your mention of guilt is by far the most important theme that helps tie up the episode. I think hallucinations is a bit of a misnomer... the theme of guilt is far more instructive in understanding this chapter. Thanks.
Glad it was helpful! I too think Joyce is masterful and exploring the depths of human guilt.
And so Catholic
Fantastic video, fantastic chapter. You make, as usual, the reading much easier and enjoyable, can never say thanks enough.
Wow, thank you!
Funny how Joyce wasn’t a fan of Strindberg, and still this chapter has an odour of August’s dream-play style oozing notably from it, and it was definitely on the same level, great stuff.
LOVE your witch hat!
Funny, I just watched an old Simpson episode where Homer is in a bar discussing what pigs they all are
Great reference!
Now all that remains is for someone to actually stage Circe
Wouldn't that be incredible? I doubt that it could be done!
@@TeachUBusiness It’s been done! Check en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulysses_in_Nighttown for starters, as well as right here on TH-cam: th-cam.com/video/wi0fzpWWJHw/w-d-xo.html
happy bloomsday :)
Applause! Thank you
The Biblical reference of a blind father touching his son would be to Isaac touching Jacob (who is pretending to be Esau) before giving him his blessing. Rebecca, Jacob's mother, has had him dress in an animal skin to disguise his scent and the fact that he is not hairy like Esau.
Michael Goldenberg Indeed. I remember that story. Thanks for filling in the details. Glad you are still along for the ride! I tried to do the Penelope video today but I was not happy with it...maybe tomorrow!
Michael Goldenberg I am struggling to get the last video done. Big project. Hope things are going well for you.
No rush. Still working through Circe. I am sure you'll get Penelope done, but what hat will you wear?
Am I hallucinating or is the soap 🧼 talking to bloom?
I'm dreading this chapter and this is the first thing I've seen on it. !!!!! ARGH !!!!
Theresa Bruno I’m halfway through the chapter, it’s actually quite enjoyable.
@@daveg4036 I've finished it and it wasnt too bad you're right. It's actually one of my favourites.
"He brightens the earth. I polish the sky."
Just want to bring to your attention that I have posted a carefully edited version of the book, Ulysses 2022, based in part on its original serialized version. With overall proportionality and reader-friendliness in mind, the novel has been shortened by 15%. "Circe", which I agree is the most difficult episode, has shrunk from 38,000 to 22,000 words. See it here:
www.johnlevesqueauthor.com/post/ulysses22"
I got this far and I want to quit. But I’m stubborn. It might take me 3 reads before I can make heads and tails of it.
I took 2 months for ochsen but read Circe in three days. wanted to finish it
I made it halfway !!
Cohen in Hebrew refers to priest, so Bella Cohen is a "beautiful priestess"
Is this one meant to be read in one setting or even in one day?
Circe needs to be digested. The first part is a wonderful gothic horror novella. Once inside Cohen's brothel, things go weird. Every vile thought comes to life. I had a lot of trouble with this chapter for a few reads and then it opened up. Try to take your time but come back later and read it again. It might sound funny, but that chapter is so scary I almost fear for you having to go through it...
Hi man!! There's a book called Memórias Póstumas de Bras Cubas (The Epitaph of a Small Winner) by Machado de Assis.it's really very similar to Ulysses. I think you'll like it.
Thanks for the recommendation. I will look around for an English version. Hope you are enjoying your own Odyssey!