Jorge Luis Borges: This Craft of Verse Lectures

Jorge Luis Borges giving his 6 Norton Lectures in fall 1967 and spring 1968.
1. The Riddle of Poetry
2. The Metaphor
3. The Telling of the Tale
4. Word-Music and Translation
5. Thought and Poetry
6. A Poet's Creed

Jorge Francisco Isidoro Luis Borges Acevedo was an Argentine short-story writer, essayist, poet and translator, and a key figure in Spanish-language literature. His best-known books, Ficciones (Fictions) and El Aleph (The Aleph), published in the 1940s, are compilations of short stories interconnected by common themes, including dreams, labyrinths, libraries, mirrors, fictional writers, philosophy, and religion.

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[hungrylemonpanda]

The person who posted this is going to heaven

[gamalielfasakin]

My first encounter with this man was in solitary confinement. Right before entering I traded four top Ramen soup for Borges collection of fiction, for three weeks he was my only friend; while I walk in The Labyrinth of my mind he held my hand.

[asderc]

00:00 - The riddle of poetry
44:21 - The metaphor
1:31:01 - The telling of the tale
2:02:46 - Word music and translation
2:42:22 - Thought and poetry
3:23:06 - Poets creed

[pepepepe]

I was serving in the battle of Ramadi in 2006. One night we had to do inspections in some houses that were believed to host enemies, they were abandoned. In a closet I found a small book, in English, called The Aleph, with the face of this man. I don't know why but I took it and put it in my backpack, I thought no one would miss it. When there were surprise missions at night it made me feel very infortunate because they interrupted that reading. That book accompanied me every night, I reread it countless times, until I finished my service.

[tinibari]

I’ve listened to these lectures three times now, and this is the first time I’ve heard Borges laughing at his own jokes. I’m glad that he’s having fun in these lectures. He and his writings are modern treasures.

[MrJasperjwood]

what strikes me is the silence of the echo in that crowded a room. the quality of the listening the respect for this man generates.

[chaitanya]

How can you not revere this old, blind man with his humbleness and genius

[_dharma_]

A man sets himself the task of portraying the world. Through the years he peoples a space with images of provinces, kingdoms, mountains, bays, ships, islands, fishes, rooms, instruments, stars, horses, and people. Shortly before his death, he discovers that that patient labyrinth of lines traces the image of his face.

[dimifisher]

I dont know why, i never met him, but i have deep love for this man

[pablocalderon]

What a pleasure to listen to this great man. I love his accent.

[TOTACRACIA]

Thank you for this. I'm reading the 2000 transcription version with my girlfriend as we hear this audio. It has been a memorable experience. "Every time I read a poem, the experience happens to occur. And that is poetry."

[joagutierrez]

16:35 "What is a book? A miserable little pile of secrets!"
Just joking, I'm argentinian and I've read Borges since I learned to read. In this moment of my life, that I can speak fluent english, listening to this Master of Literature that was born in the same country as me, speaking this amazing language, in his amazing cadency... it's just awesome.

[nasar]

Lectures to feed one's soul, the nourishment of an artist's spirit. Admiration is not strong enough a word, for my intentions border worship.
Thank you.

[roquegiler]

This is absolutly brilliant. Thank you for sharing!

[jhonelmerbustamante]

I hear the whole lectures and it was a pleasure to appreciate this enlightenment words

[alexandergeorge]

Great GLB....
When you read poetry, you are risen to heaven . Great words.

[saidtoshimaru]

Even if you don't agree with him, his point of view was laways fascinating and his sense of irony hard to resist.

[JasperMorello]

Don Quixote of Kansas City is spot on. :)

Finally, a complete version of this series, thanks so much for sharing!
I believe this is the earliest record of Borge's on audio -- it would be great to know if anyone knows of any other.

[charlespeterson]

I was in Utah in the 70's when Borges was roaming between S.L.C. and Provo. Looking for a history of the Mormon. This all in the way of mentioning an interview on PDF with Borges. Magic. Cheers.