Episodes
| Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Repeated | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | The Voice In The Whirlwind | 20220207 | 20220208 (R4) | Michael Ignatieff's new book is a profound and inspiring exploration of the language of consolation told through a series of portraits of historical, literary and artistic figures. Today, Job and the Psalms offer the earliest lessons in consolation. Read by William Hope. The historian, former politician and author has written a series of essays which look at how consolation has been portrayed in history, literature, philosophy and art. In each he looks at how figures from the past have consoled and been consoled when confronted by disaster and catastrophe. Here, we encounter, Job as he shakes his fist at the heavens, demanding justice for his suffering at the hand of God, and Cicero as his code of stoicism is challenged by personal tragedy. Then it is the turn of El Greco, and the solace to be found in depictions of Paradise, and Michel de Montaigne who finds comfort in the everyday and the ordinary. Lastly, an account of Cicely Saunders who was part of a mid-twentieth century movement to re-invent the hospice, an institution that has at its centre, compassion, respect and consolation for those approaching their last days. Michael Ignatieff is a writer, historian and former politician. He has taught at some of the world's most prestigious universities and in 2022 is the President and Rector at Central European University in Vienna. The abridger is Penny Leicester The producer is Elizabeth Allard The first of five profound and inspirational essays on the language of consolation. Michael Ignatieff explores the language of consolation through a series of five portraits |
| 02 | Cicero's Tears | 20220208 | 20220209 (R4) | Michael Ignatieff's new book is a profound and inspiring exploration of the language of consolation told through a series of portraits of historical, literary and artistic figures. Today, what is Cicero to do when personal tragedy strikes and his philosophy of stoicism fails to console? The reader is William Hope. The historian, former politician and author has written a series of essays which look at how consolation has been portrayed in history, literature, philosophy and art. In each he looks at how figures from the past have consoled and been consoled when confronted by disaster and catastrophe. Here, we encounter, Job as he shakes his fist at the heavens, demanding justice for his suffering at the hand of God, and Cicero as his code of stoicism is challenged by personal tragedy. Then it is the turn of El Greco, and the solace to be found in depictions of Paradise, and Michel de Montaigne who finds comfort in the everyday and the ordinary. Lastly, an account of Cicely Saunders who was part of a mid-twentieth century movement to re-invent the hospice, an institution that has at its centre, compassion, respect and consolation for those approaching their last days. Michael Ignatieff is a writer, historian and former politician. he has taught and some of the world's most prestigious universities and in 2022 is the President and Rector at Central European University in Vienna. The abridger is Penny Leicester The producer is Elizabeth Allard What is Cicero to do when tragedy strikes and his philosophy of stoicism fails to console? Michael Ignatieff explores the language of consolation through a series of five portraits |
| 03 | The Painting Of Time | 20220209 | 20220210 (R4) | Michael Ignatieff's new book explores the language of consolation through a series of essays about figures in history, literature and art who have confronted loss and defeat with hope, determination and resilience. Today, the consoling power of a glorious depiction of Paradise painted by El Greco in 16th century Spain. The reader is William Hope. The historian, former politician and author has written a series of essays which look at how consolation has been portrayed in history, literature, philosophy and art. In each he looks at how figures from the past have consoled and been consoled when confronted by disaster and catastrophe. Here, we encounter, Job as he shakes his fist at the heavens, demanding justice for his suffering at the hand of God, and Cicero as his code of stoicism is challenged by personal tragedy. Then it is the turn of El Greco, and the solace to be found in depictions of Paradise, and Michel de Montaigne who finds comfort in the everyday and the ordinary. Lastly, an account of Cicely Saunders who was part of a mid-twentieth century movement to re-invent the hospice, an institution that has at its centre, compassion, respect and consolation for those approaching their last days. Michael Ignatieff is a writer, historian and former politician. he has taught and some of the world's most prestigious universities and in 2022 is the President and Rector at Central European University in Vienna. The abridger is Penny Leicester The producer is Elizabeth Allard Meditations on consolation turn to El Greco's 16th century depiction of Paradise. Michael Ignatieff explores the language of consolation through a series of five portraits |
| 04 | The Body's Wisdom: Michel De Montaigne's Last Essays | 20220210 | 20220211 (R4) | Michael Igantieff's new book on the language and history of consolation takes us to 16th century France where Michel de Montaigne finds solace in the human body. William Hope reads. The historian, former politician and author has written a series of essays which look at how consolation has been portrayed in history, literature, philosophy and art. In each he looks at how figures from the past have consoled and been consoled when confronted by disaster and catastrophe. Here, we encounter, Job as he shakes his fist at the heavens, demanding justice for his suffering at the hand of God, and Cicero as his code of stoicism is challenged by personal tragedy. Then it is the turn of El Greco, and the solace to be found in depictions of Paradise, and Michel de Montaigne who finds comfort in the everyday and the ordinary. Lastly, an account of Cicely Saunders who was part of a mid-twentieth century movement to re-invent the hospice, an institution that has at its centre, compassion, respect and consolation for those approaching their last days. Michael Ignatieff is a writer, historian and former politician. he has taught and some of the world's most prestigious universities and in 2022 is the President and Rector at Central European University in Vienna. The abridger is Penny Leicester The producer is Elizabeth Allard In 16th-century France words are not enough and consolation is found in bodily pleasures. Michael Ignatieff explores the language of consolation through a series of five portraits |
| 05 | The Good Death | 20220211 | 20220212 (R4) | Michael Ignatieff's reflections on consolation turn to Cicely Saunders, the hospice movement pioneer, who put compassion at the heart of her life's work. William Hope reads. The historian, former politician and author has written a series of essays which look at how consolation has been portrayed in history, literature, philosophy and art. In each he looks at how figures from the past have consoled and been consoled when confronted by disaster and catastrophe. Here, we encounter, Job as he shakes his fist at the heavens, demanding justice for his suffering at the hand of God, and Cicero as his code of stoicism is challenged by personal tragedy. Then it is the turn of El Greco, and the solace to be found in depictions of Paradise, and Michel de Montaigne who finds comfort in the everyday and the ordinary. Lastly, an account of Cicely Saunders who was part of a mid-twentieth century movement to re-invent the hospice, an institution that has at its centre, compassion, respect and consolation for those approaching their last days. Michael Ignatieff is a writer, historian and former politician. he has taught and some of the world's most prestigious universities and in 2022 is the President and Rector at Central European University in Vienna. The abridger is Penny Leicester The producer is Elizabeth Allard Hospice movement pioneer, Cicely Saunders puts consolation at the heart of her life's work Michael Ignatieff explores the language of consolation through a series of five portraits |