English Literature
English Literature

In this course, Professor Marion Turner (University of Oxford) explores the historical, literary and cultural context for Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. In the first module, we think about the literary and linguistic culture of 14th-century England,...
6 lectures
1:01:14
Prof. Marion Turner
Oxford University
English Literature

In this course, Professor John McRae (University of Nottingham) explores Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. In the first module, we introduce the novel by looking at the first two paragraphs of the story, including its famous opening line (“Marley ...
15 lectures
2:14:28
Prof. John McRae
Nottingham University
English Literature

In this course, Dr Sophie Duncan (University of Oxford) explores Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. We begin in the first module by thinking about Venice as a key setting for the play and its significance at the time Shakespeare was writing....
5 lectures
1:06:42
Dr Sophie Duncan
Oxford University
English Literature

In this course, Professor John Roe (University of York) explores Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. We begin in the first module by thinking about the history of the story of Romeo and Juliet and the sources that Shakespeare may have used when ...
8 lectures
1:41:31
Prof. John Roe
York University
English Literature

In this course, Professor Helen Smith (University of York) explores Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. In the first module, we imagine a trip to the theatre in the late 16th century, thinking about the literary, historical and theatrical context of...
5 lectures
0:56:26
Prof. Helen Smith
York University
English Literature

In this course, Professor Lisa Hopkins (Sheffield Hallam University) explores six aspects of the critical reception of Shakespeare's Othello. In the first module, we think about the critical reception of the handkerchief, beginning with Thomas ...
6 lectures
0:57:40
Prof. Lisa Hopkins
Sheffield Hallam University
English Literature

In this course, Dr Nathan Waddell (University of Birmingham) explores George Orwell’s 1949 novel, Nineteen Eighty-Four. The first two modules provide broad context for the novel: in the first, we think about Orwell’s writing of the novel and the ...
9 lectures
1:14:37
Dr Nathan Waddell
Birmingham University
English Literature

In this course, Professor John McRae (University of Nottingham) explores Carol Ann Duffy’s 2002 collection, ‘Feminine Gospels’. After an introductory module in which we think about the poetry of Carol Ann Duffy in general and the collection as a...
22 lectures
3:07:07
Prof. John McRae
Nottingham University
English Literature

In this course, Professor Grace Ioppolo (University of Reading) explores Shakespeare’s King Lear. We begin in the first module by thinking about Shakespeare’s sources for King Lear – what he took from earlier versions of the ...
7 lectures
1:09:20
Prof. Grace Ioppolo
Reading University
English Literature

In this course, Professor Lucie Armitt (University of Lincoln) explores Sarah Waters’ 2009 novel, the Little Stranger. We begin by thinking about the novel as a haunted house narrative, focusing in particular on what, if anything, the house is...
6 lectures
0:58:34
Prof. Lucie Armitt
Lincoln University
English Literature

In this course, Professor Anne Varty (Royal Holloway, University of London) explores Oscar Wilde’s 1895 drama, An Ideal Husband. We begin by thinking about the structure of the play, focusing in particular on the ways in which Wilde both conforms ...
4 lectures
0:03:28
Prof. Anne Varty
Royal Holloway, London
English Literature

In this course, Dr Ross Wilson (University of Cambridge) explores William Blake’s ‘Songs of Innocence and of Experience’. We begin in the first module by thinking about the historical, political and cultural context in which Blake was writing....
6 lectures
0:49:16
Dr Ross Wilson
Cambridge University