Sunday Feature

The Agony and The Ecstasy - Programme 1

Sunday 4 December 2005 21:30-22:15 (Radio 3)

Sarah Dunant presents a cultural exploration into the twin extremities of human emotion: pain and pleasure, and asks why, at different times in our history, we have placed more emphasis on one or the other of the two sovereign masters.

This programme focuses on how Christianity stands Classical ideas about pleasure and pain on their head. By placing the image of the suffering Christ at the centre of Western culture, pain becomes a way to redemption, and suffering in this life beats a path to pleasure in the next.

Duration:

45 minutes

Sunday Feature

Episode and Playlist Information

• 22 Jan 06 Mozart
• 15 January 2006
• 8 Jan 06 Charles Correa
• 1 January 2006
• 25 December 2005
• 11 December 2005
• 4 December 2005
• 27 November 2005
• 13 Nov 05 Creativity
• 6 November 2005

Sunday Feature pages