Lectures on Tap
Lectures on Tap - Off With Their Heads: Organizing the French Revolution
In this compelling lecture, Dr. John J. Murphy will delve into the fascinating origins of the French Revolution, starting with a seemingly simple act: where people chose to sit. This pivotal moment in 1789 sparked a chaotic narrative of political organization, transformation, and terror.
Dr. Murphy will trace the evolution of revolutionary politics, highlighting the vibrant energy of Parisian coffeehouses and the influential pamphlets of notable figures like Danton and Desmoulins. He will discuss the rise of powerful clubs such as the Jacobins and the impact of unconventional personalities like Jean-Paul Marat, who wielded the pen as dangerously as any weapon.
We’ll explore the collision of centralized power with grassroots movements, the dangerous tipping of fiery rhetoric into violence, and how leaders like Robespierre endeavored to control a revolution that often turned on itself. Finally, we’ll ponder what contemporary movements can learn from the tumultuous dynamics of the French Revolution.
Get a drink, connect, and learn at Lectures on Tap! 🙌
The Den Theatre and comedy club is pleased to host Lectures on Tap on October 27, 2025 at 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood.
Tickets are currently available at thedentheatre.com or by calling (773) 697-3830.
