Dark Classics

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A podcast dedicated to Gothic and Victorian era short stories and poetry. Here you will find short stories and poems from writers like Edgar Allan Poe, Charles Dickens, H. G. Wells, Robert Louis Stevenson, Bram Stoker and more!

Brad Bates & Jonathan Hamlett


    • Jan 1, 1970 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 11m AVG DURATION
    • 10 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Dark Classics

    "The Terrible Old Man" by H. P. Lovecraft (1920)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 9:50


    "The Terrible Old Man" is the first short story by H. P. Lovecraft to introduce readers to his imaginary New England setting of Kingsport. It is a very short story filled with a great deal of mystery. Who is the "Terrible Old Man"? Where did he come from? How old is he? What is his name? We may never know, but this much we know...his eyes were yellow.**BEST APPRECIATED WITH HEADPHONES**Intro Music:Title: “Dark Classics Piano Progression”Creator: Jonathan HamlettSource: Direct PermissionLicense: Direct PermissionTitle: “Dark Smile”Creator: CrowanderSource: Free Music Archive (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/crowander/atmosphears-experimental-atmos/09-dark-smilemp3)License: CC BY-NC 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/)Title: “Thunderstorm - highlights”Creator: Thalamus LabSource: freesound.org (https://freesound.org/people/Thalamus_Lab/sounds/234079/)License: CC BY 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/)Musical ScoreTitle: "Dark Classics VIII"Creator: Jonathan HamlettSource: Direct PermissionLicense: Direct PermissionOutro Music:Title: “Dark Classics in Reverse”Creator: Jonathan HamlettSource: Direct PermissionLicense: Direct Permission

    "Jessie Cameron" by Christina Rossetti (1864)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 6:56


    Unrequited love ending in the death of two young people on a beach. But who is to blame? The ocean or the boy? We may never know. But we can at least enjoy this short poem from Christina Rossetti and ponder what could've been the cause of the tragic ending.**BEST APPRECIATED WITH HEADPHONES**Intro Music:Title: “Dark Classics Piano Progression”Creator: Jonathan HamlettSource: Direct PermissionLicense: Direct PermissionTitle: “Dark Smile”Creator: CrowanderSource: Free Music Archive (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/crowander/atmosphears-experimental-atmos/09-dark-smilemp3)License: CC BY-NC 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/)Title: “Thunderstorm - highlights”Creator: Thalamus LabSource: freesound.org (https://freesound.org/people/Thalamus_Lab/sounds/234079/)License: CC BY 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/)Musical ScoreTitle: "Dark Classics VII"Creator: Jonathan HamlettSource: Direct PermissionLicense: Direct PermissionOutro Music:Title: “Dark Classics in Reverse”Creator: Jonathan HamlettSource: Direct PermissionLicense: Direct Permission

    "The Haunted Oak" by Paul Laurence Dunbar (1900)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 5:49


    According to the University of Dayton Paul Laurence Dunbar, the son of two freed slaves from Kentucky, “was the first African American to gain national eminence as a poet.""The Haunted Oak" was written just 6 years before passing away at the age of 33 from health complications. The poem is written from the perspective of an oak tree where a black man was unjustly lynched, and the tree finds itself haunted by the pain of the man.Sadly, this poem reflects one of the darker periods of American History where this type of thing was common place. On this Halloween night, may we find a brighter light that can often be found as we peer in to the darkest reaches of our own history to confront and learn from it.**BEST APPRECIATED WITH HEADPHONES**Intro Music:Title: “Dark Classics Piano Progression”Creator: Jonathan HamlettSource: Direct PermissionLicense: Direct PermissionTitle: “Dark Smile”Creator: CrowanderSource: Free Music Archive (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/crowander/atmosphears-experimental-atmos/09-dark-smilemp3)License: CC BY-NC 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/)Title: “Thunderstorm - highlights”Creator: Thalamus LabSource: freesound.org (https://freesound.org/people/Thalamus_Lab/sounds/234079/)License: CC BY 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/)Musical ScoreTitle: "Dark Classics VI"Creator: Jonathan HamlettSource: Direct PermissionLicense: Direct PermissionOutro Music:Title: “Dark Classics in Reverse”Creator: Jonathan HamlettSource: Direct PermissionLicense: Direct Permission

    "The Haunted Palace" by Edgar Allan Poe (1839)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 4:22


    "The Haunted Palace" is actually a short poem from Edgar Allan Poe's short story "The Fall of the House of Usher". It was first published separately in 1839 in the April edition of the "Baltimore Museum."**BEST ENJOYED WITH HEADPHONES**Intro Music:Title: “Dark Classics Piano Progression”Creator: Jonathan HamlettSource: Direct PermissionLicense: Direct PermissionTitle: “Dark Smile”Creator: CrowanderSource: Free Music Archive (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/crowander/atmosphears-experimental-atmos/09-dark-smilemp3)License: CC BY-NC 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/)Title: “Thunderstorm - higlights”Creator: Thalamus LabSource: freesound.org (https://freesound.org/people/Thalamus_Lab/sounds/234079/)License: CC BY 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/)Musical ScoreTitle: "Dark Classics V"Creator: Jonathan HamlettSource: Direct PermissionLicense: Direct PermissionOutro Music:Title: “Dark Classics in Reverse”Creator: Jonathan HamlettSource: Direct PermissionLicense: Direct Permission

    "The Lady of Shalott" by Alfred Lord Tennyson (1832)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 10:12


    "The Lady of Shalott" tells the cursed tale of Elaine of Astolate, a noblewoman who lives up the river from Camelot.**BEST ENJOYED WITH HEADPHONES**Intro Music:Title: “Dark Classics Piano Progression”Creator: Jonathan HamlettSource: Direct PermissionLicense: Direct PermissionTitle: “Dark Smile”Creator: CrowanderSource: Free Music Archive (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/crowander/atmosphears-experimental-atmos/09-dark-smilemp3)License: CC BY-NC 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/)Title: “Thunderstorm - higlights”Creator: Thalamus LabSource: freesound.org (https://freesound.org/people/Thalamus_Lab/sounds/234079/)License: CC BY 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/)Musical ScoreTitle: "Dark Classics IV"Creator: Jonathan HamlettSource: Direct PermissionLicense: Direct PermissionOutro Music:Title: “Dark Classics in Reverse”Creator: Jonathan HamlettSource: Direct PermissionLicense: Direct Permission

    "The Crystal Cup" by Bram Stoker (1872) ALL Chapters

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 32:31


    Bram Stoker, famous for "Dracula" was more than just a writer of novels, but he also wrote a number of short stories.In this episode, your hosts of "Dark Classics" bring to you ALL 3 chapters of Bram Stokers "The Crystal Cup".**BEST ENJOYED WITH HEADPHONES**You can find the music that Jonathan composed for this episode here:https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/jonathanhamlett/dark-classics-iThe following is from www.bramstoker.org"'The Crystal Cup' is a short story by Bram Stoker. It was first published in the September 1872 issue of London Society: An Illustrated Magazine of Light and Amusing Literature for Hours of Relaxation, W. Clowes and Sons, London.Abraham (Bram) Stoker was born November 8, 1847 in Dublin, Ireland. His father was a civil servant and his mother was a charity worker and writer. Stoker was a sickly child and spent a lot of time in bed. Growing up his mother told him a lot of horror stories which may have influenced his later writings. In 1864 Stoker entered Trinity College Dublin. While attending college he began working as an Irish civil servant. He also worked part time as a free lance journalist and drama critic. In 1876 he met Henry Irving, a famous actor, and they soon became friends. Not long after that, Stoker met and fell in love with an aspiring actress named Florence Balcombe. In 1878 Stoker accepted a job working in London as Irving's personal secretary. According to an announcement in the December 5, 1878 issue of The Freeman's Journal: and Daily Commercial Advertiser Stoker and Balcombe were married on December 4, 1878 at St. Anne's Parish Church, Dublin, by the Rev. Charles W. Benson. On December 9, Stoker and his new wife moved to England to join Irving. His first book "The Duties of Clerks of Petty Sessions in Ireland" though written while he was still in Dublin, was published in 1879. On December 30, 1879 Stoker and his wife had their only child, a son Noel. While in England Stoker also wrote several novels and short stories. His first book of fiction, "Under the Sunset," was published in 1881. Although best known for "Dracula", Stoker wrote eighteen books before his death in 1912. He died of exhaustion at the age of 64.""The Crystal Cup". Bram Stoker - The Crystal Cup. (n.d.). http://www.bramstoker.org/stories/04other/cup.html. Intro Music:Title: “Dark Classics Piano Progression”Creator: Jonathan HamlettSource: Direct PermissionLicense: Direct PermissionTitle: “Dark Smile”Creator: CrowanderSource: Free Music Archive (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/crowander/atmosphears-experimental-atmos/09-dark-smilemp3)License: CC BY-NC 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/)Title: “Thunderstorm - higlights”Creator: Thalamus LabSource: freesound.org (https://freesound.org/people/Thalamus_Lab/sounds/234079/)License: CC BY 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/)Musical ScoreTitle: "Dark Classics I", "Dark Classics II" and “Dark Classics III”Creator: Jonathan HamlettSource: Direct PermissionLicense: Direct PermissionOutro Music:Title: “Dark Classics in Reverse”Creator: Jonathan HamlettSource: Direct PermissionLicense: Direct Permission

    "The Crystal Cup", Chapter 3 by Bram Stoker (1872)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 11:25


    Bram Stoker, famous for "Dracula" was more than just a writer of novels, but he also wrote a number of short stories.In this episode, your hosts of "Dark Classics" bring to you the final chapter (of 3) of Bram Stokers "The Crystal Cup".**BEST ENJOYED WITH HEADPHONES**You can find the music that Jonathan composed for this episode here:https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/jonathanhamlett/dark-classics-iThe following is from www.bramstoker.org"'The Crystal Cup' is a short story by Bram Stoker. It was first published in the September 1872 issue of London Society: An Illustrated Magazine of Light and Amusing Literature for Hours of Relaxation, W. Clowes and Sons, London.Abraham (Bram) Stoker was born November 8, 1847 in Dublin, Ireland. His father was a civil servant and his mother was a charity worker and writer. Stoker was a sickly child and spent a lot of time in bed. Growing up his mother told him a lot of horror stories which may have influenced his later writings. In 1864 Stoker entered Trinity College Dublin. While attending college he began working as an Irish civil servant. He also worked part time as a free lance journalist and drama critic. In 1876 he met Henry Irving, a famous actor, and they soon became friends. Not long after that, Stoker met and fell in love with an aspiring actress named Florence Balcombe. In 1878 Stoker accepted a job working in London as Irving's personal secretary. According to an announcement in the December 5, 1878 issue of The Freeman's Journal: and Daily Commercial Advertiser Stoker and Balcombe were married on December 4, 1878 at St. Anne's Parish Church, Dublin, by the Rev. Charles W. Benson. On December 9, Stoker and his new wife moved to England to join Irving. His first book "The Duties of Clerks of Petty Sessions in Ireland" though written while he was still in Dublin, was published in 1879. On December 30, 1879 Stoker and his wife had their only child, a son Noel. While in England Stoker also wrote several novels and short stories. His first book of fiction, "Under the Sunset," was published in 1881. Although best known for "Dracula", Stoker wrote eighteen books before his death in 1912. He died of exhaustion at the age of 64.""The Crystal Cup". Bram Stoker - The Crystal Cup. (n.d.). http://www.bramstoker.org/stories/04other/cup.html. Intro Music:Title: “Dark Classics Piano Progression”Creator: Jonathan HamlettSource: Direct PermissionLicense: Direct PermissionTitle: “Dark Smile”Creator: CrowanderSource: Free Music Archive (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/crowander/atmosphears-experimental-atmos/09-dark-smilemp3)License: CC BY-NC 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/)Title: “Thunderstorm - higlights”Creator: Thalamus LabSource: freesound.org (https://freesound.org/people/Thalamus_Lab/sounds/234079/)License: CC BY 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/)Musical ScoreTitle: “Dark Classics III”Creator: Jonathan HamlettSource: Direct PermissionLicense: Direct PermissionOutro Music:Title: “Dark Classics in Reverse”Creator: Jonathan HamlettSource: Direct PermissionLicense: Direct Permission

    "The Crystal Cup", Chapter 2 by Bram Stoker (1872)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 12:23


    Bram Stoker, famous for "Dracula" was more than just a writer of novels, but he also wrote a number of short stories.In this episode, your hosts of "Dark Classics" bring to you the second chapter (of 3) of Bram Stokers "The Crystal Cup".**BEST ENJOYED WITH HEADPHONES**You can find the music that Jonathan composed for this episode here:https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/jonathanhamlett/dark-classics-iThe following is from www.bramstoker.org"'The Crystal Cup' is a short story by Bram Stoker. It was first published in the September 1872 issue of London Society: An Illustrated Magazine of Light and Amusing Literature for Hours of Relaxation, W. Clowes and Sons, London.Abraham (Bram) Stoker was born November 8, 1847 in Dublin, Ireland. His father was a civil servant and his mother was a charity worker and writer. Stoker was a sickly child and spent a lot of time in bed. Growing up his mother told him a lot of horror stories which may have influenced his later writings. In 1864 Stoker entered Trinity College Dublin. While attending college he began working as an Irish civil servant. He also worked part time as a free lance journalist and drama critic. In 1876 he met Henry Irving, a famous actor, and they soon became friends. Not long after that, Stoker met and fell in love with an aspiring actress named Florence Balcombe. In 1878 Stoker accepted a job working in London as Irving's personal secretary. According to an announcement in the December 5, 1878 issue of The Freeman's Journal: and Daily Commercial Advertiser Stoker and Balcombe were married on December 4, 1878 at St. Anne's Parish Church, Dublin, by the Rev. Charles W. Benson. On December 9, Stoker and his new wife moved to England to join Irving. His first book "The Duties of Clerks of Petty Sessions in Ireland" though written while he was still in Dublin, was published in 1879. On December 30, 1879 Stoker and his wife had their only child, a son Noel. While in England Stoker also wrote several novels and short stories. His first book of fiction, "Under the Sunset," was published in 1881. Although best known for "Dracula", Stoker wrote eighteen books before his death in 1912. He died of exhaustion at the age of 64.""The Crystal Cup". Bram Stoker - The Crystal Cup. (n.d.). http://www.bramstoker.org/stories/04other/cup.html. Intro Music:Title: “Dark Classics Piano Progression”Creator: Jonathan HamlettSource: Direct PermissionLicense: Direct PermissionTitle: “Dark Smile”Creator: CrowanderSource: Free Music Archive (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/crowander/atmosphears-experimental-atmos/09-dark-smilemp3)License: CC BY-NC 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/)Title: “Thunderstorm - higlights”Creator: Thalamus LabSource: freesound.org (https://freesound.org/people/Thalamus_Lab/sounds/234079/)License: CC BY 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/)Musical ScoreTitle: “Dark Classics II”Creator: Jonathan HamlettSource: Direct PermissionLicense: Direct PermissionOutro Music:Title: “Dark Classics in Reverse”Creator: Jonathan HamlettSource: Direct PermissionLicense: Direct Permission

    "The Crystal Cup", Chapter 1 by Bram Stoker (1872)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 12:38


    Bram Stoker, famous for "Dracula" was more than just a writer of novels, but he also wrote a number of short stories.In this episode, your hosts of "Dark Classics" bring to you the first chapter (of 3) of Bram Stokers "The Crystal Cup".**BEST ENJOYED WITH HEADPHONES**You can find the music that Jonathan composed for this episode here:https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/jonathanhamlett/dark-classics-iThe following is from www.bramstoker.org"'The Crystal Cup' is a short story by Bram Stoker. It was first published in the September 1872 issue of London Society: An Illustrated Magazine of Light and Amusing Literature for Hours of Relaxation, W. Clowes and Sons, London.Abraham (Bram) Stoker was born November 8, 1847 in Dublin, Ireland. His father was a civil servant and his mother was a charity worker and writer. Stoker was a sickly child and spent a lot of time in bed. Growing up his mother told him a lot of horror stories which may have influenced his later writings. In 1864 Stoker entered Trinity College Dublin. While attending college he began working as an Irish civil servant. He also worked part time as a free lance journalist and drama critic. In 1876 he met Henry Irving, a famous actor, and they soon became friends. Not long after that, Stoker met and fell in love with an aspiring actress named Florence Balcombe. In 1878 Stoker accepted a job working in London as Irving's personal secretary. According to an announcement in the December 5, 1878 issue of The Freeman's Journal: and Daily Commercial Advertiser Stoker and Balcombe were married on December 4, 1878 at St. Anne's Parish Church, Dublin, by the Rev. Charles W. Benson. On December 9, Stoker and his new wife moved to England to join Irving. His first book "The Duties of Clerks of Petty Sessions in Ireland" though written while he was still in Dublin, was published in 1879. On December 30, 1879 Stoker and his wife had their only child, a son Noel. While in England Stoker also wrote several novels and short stories. His first book of fiction, "Under the Sunset," was published in 1881. Although best known for "Dracula", Stoker wrote eighteen books before his death in 1912. He died of exhaustion at the age of 64.""The Crystal Cup". Bram Stoker - The Crystal Cup. (n.d.). http://www.bramstoker.org/stories/04other/cup.html. Intro Music:Title: “Dark Classics Piano Progression”Creator: Jonathan HamlettSource: Direct PermissionLicense: Direct PermissionTitle: “Dark Smile”Creator: CrowanderSource: Free Music Archive (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/crowander/atmosphears-experimental-atmos/09-dark-smilemp3)License: CC BY-NC 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/)Title: “Thunderstorm - higlights”Creator: Thalamus LabSource: freesound.org (https://freesound.org/people/Thalamus_Lab/sounds/234079/)License: CC BY 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/)Musical ScoreTitle: “Dark Classics I”Creator: Jonathan HamlettSource: Direct PermissionLicense: Direct PermissionOutro Music:Title: “Dark Classics in Reverse”Creator: Jonathan HamlettSource: Direct PermissionLicense: Direct Permission

    PREVIEW: Annabel Lee by Edgar Allan Poe (1849)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 1970 4:48


    Annabel Lee, lyric poem by Edgar Allan Poe, published in the New York Tribune on Oct. 9, 1849, two days after his death. Thought to be written in memory of his young wife and cousin, Virginia, who died in 1847, the poem expresses one of Poe's recurrent themes—the death of a young, beautiful, and dearly beloved woman.Encyclopedia Britannica. (2011, February 25). Annabel Lee | poem by Poe. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Annabel-Lee**BEST ENJOYED WITH HEADPHONES**Intro Music:Title: “Dark Classics Piano Progression”Creator: Jonathan HamlettSource: Direct PermissionLicense: Direct PermissionTitle: “Dark Smile”Creator: CrowanderSource: Free Music Archive (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/crowander/atmosphears-experimental-atmos/09-dark-smilemp3)License: CC BY-NC 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/)Title: “Thunderstorm - higlights”Creator: Thalamus LabSource: freesound.org (https://freesound.org/people/Thalamus_Lab/sounds/234079/)License: CC BY 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/)Outro Music:Title: “Dark Classics in Reverse”Creator: Jonathan HamlettSource: Direct PermissionLicense: Direct Permission8d7u9qOS1a9Ngy3o5EVR

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