It seems that the controversies over nature of beloved in classical Persian mystic poetry (also known as Sufi poetry) an earthly or ethereal phenomenon would never end. Those favor celestial reading it consider their counterparts to be narrow-minded. The adherents terrestrial love, though, see mystical readings dogmatic and outdated, prevailed by traditionalists. topic gets even more complicate...

The figure of the “amada” in Neruda’s Veinte poemas de amor y una canción desesperada has recently become the focus of numerous critical discussions. Although many critics point out the ambiguity inherent in Neruda’s beloved, few go as far as to suggest that her ambiguity is self-contained and exists independently of the figure of the poet. Detwiler, Perriam, and Ibsen all discuss a duality pre...

Benjamin Rush, MD (1745-1813), was not only the most well known physician in 18th-century America, he was also a patriot, philosopher, author, lecturer, fervent evangelist, politician, and dedicated social reformer. He was unshakable in his convictions, as well as self-righteous, caustic, satirical, humorless, and polemical. Unquestionably brilliant, he graduated from what later became Princeto...