Literature
Join us on our courses as we explore the world of literature, from classic books to poetry. Our experienced instructors will guide you through the works of renowned authors and help you develop a deeper appreciation for the written word. Enroll now and embark on a journey of literary discovery!
Sisters, Spouses, Shadows
The recent success of ‘Hamnet’ suggests it’s time to put the spotlight not only on Shakespeare’s wife but on other women who played walk-on parts in literary history. Some are sisters to women of genius – Claire Clairmont shared Mary Shelley’s elopement and exile, Cassandra Austen was Jane’s closest confidante – while wives Catherine Dickens and Emma Hardy nursed ambitions of their own while enduring more than the usual trials and tribulations of Victorian marriage.
Poetry for Spring and
Early Summer
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At this time of year, as the sap rises and we feel the sun on our faces at last, it’s great to celebrate by sharing poems that fit the mood. The five weeks of our course include not only longer evenings, trees coming into leaf and the arrival of the swallows, but also Cuckoo Day, Shakespeare’s birthday, World Bee Day and Whitsun – a cornucopia of inspiration. Class members are encouraged to suggest works from any era of literature. Whether you already love and appreciate poetry, or have always wanted to find out why others do, you will be welcome on this friendly course.
Thomas Hardy: Bard of Wessex
Thomas Hardy is best known for such novels as Tess of the D’Urbervilles, Jude the Obscure and Far from the Madding Crowd. But it is less well known that he was a prolific poet. His collected Poems extends to over 900 pages and a great many of them are marvellous! At it’s best, his verse is moving, thought provoking and deeply personal. We shall be discussing poems some of which might be familiar, others relatively unexplored. The range of work in this field is far reaching. We shall be discussing poems delving into the themes of love, religion, nature, personal loss and much else. His poetry is extremely rewarding and stimulating.
No knowledge will be assumed and texts will be provided
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