All Courses
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Charles II, James II and the Glorious Revolution, 1660-88
In this course, we explore the reigns of three kings of England, and one queen: Charles II, James II, and William and Mary. Beginning with the Restoration of Charles II in 1660, we begin by exploring in some detail Charles’ long reign, and the efforts he made to ease some of the tensions that had led to the English Civil War—particularly those relating to religion. In the... Read more
Chaucer and Story Patterns in Middle English Literature
This course provides readers of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales with a broader context of Chaucer’s life and times as well as the kind of literature that was being written in the Medieval period that may have inspired Chaucer when it came to writing the Canterbury Tales. We begin by exploring the idea of the story collection, why Chaucer chose this form for his Canterbury Tales,... Read more
Chaucer: The Canterbury Tales
In this course, Dr Marion Turner (University of Oxford) provides an introduction to Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. The course begins with a discussion of the opening lines of the General Prologue, before going on to discuss Chaucer himself, the so-called 'Father of English Poetry'. In the third module, we look at the Miller's Tale and its status as a "literary Peasants'... Read more
Chaucer: The Merchant's Tale
In this course, Professor Carolyne Larrington (University of Oxford) explores Geoffrey Chaucer's Merchant's Tale. We begin by thinking about the Merchant himself, who is introduced in the General Prologue of the Canterbury Tales. After that, we think about the genre of the tale – a fabliau – as well as the Marriage Debate between Januarie, Justinus and Placebo that begins... Read more
Chaucer: The Merchant's Tale
In this course, Professor Marion Turner (University of Oxford) explores Geoffrey Chaucer's Merchant's Tale. We begin by thinking about some of the Biblical allusions in the Tale, focusing in particular on the Garden the Eden and the Song of Songs. After that, we turn to some of the Classical allusions in the Tale and how these interact with the Biblical allusions outlined in... Read more
Chaucer: The Wife of Bath's Prologue and Tale
In this course, we explore the Wife of Bath’s Tale and Prologue in Chaucer’s in Canterbury Tales. In the first module, we consider the presentation of the Wife of Bath in the General Prologue, thinking about the extent to which the Wife of Bath is presented as a comedic figure. After that, we focus on the Wife of Bath as a ‘reader’ and interpreter of written texts, thinking... Read more
Chopin: The Awakening
In this course, Professor Helen Taylor (University of Exeter) explores Kate Chopin's 1899 novel, The Awakening. After a brief introduction to the writing of the American South, the course begins proper with a discussion of Kate Chopin herself – her upbringing and education, her marriage and children, and her career as a writer. After that, in the third module, we think about... Read more
Cicero: De Imperio
In this course, Henriette van der Blom (University of Glasgow) explores Cicero's speech 'De Imperio Cn Pompeii', delivered in 66 BC. The course begins with an introduction to oratory in Rome, including the different kinds of speeches that an orator might deliver, before moving on to consider the historical and political context of the speech. In the third module, we look at... Read more
Cicero: De Imperio
This course explores several aspects of Cicero’s speech De Imperio Cn Pompeii, which was delivered in the Roman Forum in 66 BC. In particular, we think about the speech both as a performance in the Forum and as a written text to be read and studied, as well as the character and career of Pompey himself, the Roman general at the centre of the speech.<br> <br> Ancient... Read more
Cicero: Pro Milone
In this course, Dr Andrew Sillett (University of Oxford) explores Cicero's defence of Titus Annius Milo, the Pro Milone. We start by considering the crime itself—the death of Publius Clodius Pulcher on the Appian War on 18 January 52 BC. After that, we look at the life and political career of the victim, before turning in the third module to one of most peculiar aspects of... Read more
Cicero: Six Key Speeches
The historian Michael Grant said "the influence of Cicero upon the history of European literature and ideas greatly exceeds that of any other prose writer in any language". This course provides an introduction to Cicero's life and times through six legal and political speeches, from his first speech (Pro Roscio Amerino), delivered when he was just 26, through the speeches... Read more
Collins: The Moonstone
In this course, Dr Christopher Pittard (University of Portsmouth) explores Wilkie Collins' 1868 novel The Moonstone. The course begins with a general introduction to the novel and its status as one of the earliest detective novels in the English language, before moving on to consider the presentation of the diamond in the novel, which is both unfathomable and mesmerising to... Read more