Something Understood

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Religion & Ethics

Ethical and religious discussion that examines some of the larger questions of life

Ethical and religious discussion that examines some of the larger questions of life, taking a spiritual theme and exploring it through music, prose and poetry

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Something Understood: Heat

Heat

BBC Radio 4 - Something Understood, Heat

Mark Tully considers the metaphorical and spiritual significance of heat.

Mark Tully considers the metaphorical concept of heat in discussions of psychology and spirituality. With music by Liszt and readings from Brendan Kennelly and Christopher Marlowe.

Mark Tully considers the power of heat, arguably one of the most powerful metaphorical symbols in both religious and secular literature. 

The source of life, it also has enormous destructive power. A spiritual and physical purifier, it is also a force for retribution and punishment. Commonly used in sacred works as a religious trial, it also symbolises passion, emotion and lust in secular writing.

In the middle of summer, as some people yearn for more heat while others try their best to avoid it, Mark Tully investigates these many contradictions in the company of writers as varied as Rudyard Kipling, Frances Bellerby and the contemporary poet Brendan Kennelly. There is music from Franz Liszt, Alexander Scriabin and Ella Fitzgerald. 

The readers are Mark Quartley and Monica Dolan.



Producer: Frank Stirling
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