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Mark Tully debates the part Temptation plays in our spiritual and physical lives in this second of two special programmes for Lent.

In this second of two special programmes for Lent, Mark Tully examines the role Temptation plays as a driving force in both spiritual and secular life. Just as all the major faiths encourage periods of abstinence from time to time, so too they all struggle with the perils of temptation.

The Buddha struggled with the temptations of asceticism, Christianity and Islam are shot through with the temptations set by the devil, and in Hinduism demons tempt the gods themselves. However, writers as disparate as Shakespeare and Martin Luther are at pains to emphasise the positive dynamics of temptation.

The programme includes music by Franz Liszt, Nina Simone and Hubert Parry, and readings from the work of R.S. Thomas, John Betjeman and Rosalind Coward.

The readers are Robert Glenister, Francis Cadder and Julie Covington.

Producer: Frank Stirling
A Unique production for Â鶹ԼÅÄ Radio 4

28 minutes

Last on

Sun 8 Mar 2020 23:30
Â鶹ԼÅÄ Radio 4

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Where It Was

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Transience

See all episodes from Something Understood

Music Played

  • Franz Liszt

    Mephisto Waltz

    Performer: Detroit Symphony Orchestra.
    • Paul Paray Conducts Dances of Death.
    • Mercury.

  • The Casualty by R.S. Thomas

    Welsh poet R.S. Thomas describes falling for the temptation to ignore the quest for truth.

  • Trad.

    I'm a RollinÂ’

    Performer: Wings Over Jordan Choir.
    • Wings Over Jordan Choir – Traditional Spirituals.
    • Gusto Record.

  • Ode on the Death of a Favourite Cat, Drowned in a Tub of Goldfishes by Thomas Gray

    Thomas GrayÂ’s poem warns about the danger of falling for temptation.

  • Bacharach/Hilliard

    Tower of Strength

    Performer: Eugene McDaniels.
    • The Essential Recordings 1955-1965.
    • Phonogram.

  • Senex by John Betjeman

    The elderly Sir John Betjeman prays to the Lord to take away the temptation of Lust.

  • Female Desire by Rosalind Coward

    Rosalind Coward discusses ‘Food Pornography’, the use of food photography to tempt us.

  • Rachel Portman

    Taste of Chocolate

    Performer: Rachel Portman. Performer: David Snell (conductor).
    • Chocolat: Music from the Miramax Motion Picture.
    • Sony Classical/Sony Music Soundtrax.

  • The Ring and Book by Robert Browning

    Browning holds that the daring need temptation to fight and demonstrate their courage.

  • Letter to Jerome Weller by Martin Luther

    Martin Luther argues that sometimes we shouldnÂ’t fight, but surrender to temptation.

  • This Just to Say by William Carlos Williams

    A poem apologising for succumbing to temptation and eating someone elseÂ’s plums.

  • Nina Simone

    Forbidden Fruit

    • The Best of ‘the Colpix YearsÂ’.
    • EMI.

  • Measure For Measure by William Shakespeare

    AngeloÂ’s puritanical streak makes him question if he, as the tempter, sins the most?

  • Hubert Parry

    The Lotos Eaters

    Performer: The London Philarmonic.
    • Parry: The SoulÂ’s Ransom/Lotos Eaters.
    • Chandos Records.

Broadcasts

  • Sun 30 Mar 2014 06:05
    Â鶹ԼÅÄ Radio 4
  • Sun 30 Mar 2014 23:30
    Â鶹ԼÅÄ Radio 4
  • Sun 8 Mar 2020 06:05
    Â鶹ԼÅÄ Radio 4
  • Sun 8 Mar 2020 23:30
    Â鶹ԼÅÄ Radio 4