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English Literature

The Poetry of the First World War

In this course, Dr Peter Howarth (Queen Mary University of London) explores the poetry of the First World War. We begin in the first module by providing a broad introduction to war poetry, thinking in particular about the basic conflict between...

9 lectures

1:18:39

Dr Peter Howarth

QMUL

English Literature

Larkin: The Less Deceived

In this course, Professor Seamus Perry (University of Oxford) explores Philip Larkin's 1955 collection of poetry, The Less Deceived. After an introduction to the collection as a whole (including a discussion of the origins of the title 'The Less...

10 lectures

0:59:42

Prof. Seamus Perry

University of Oxford

English Literature

Dickens: Great Expectations

In this course, Professor John Bowen (University of York) explores Charles Dickens' Great Expectations, first published in Dickens' weekly periodical All the Year Round from December 1860 to August 1861. We begin by thinking about the complex...

5 lectures

0:47:33

Prof. John Bowen

York University

English Literature

Conan Doyle: The Sign of Four

In this course, Dr Christopher Pittard (University of Portsmouth) explores Arthur Conan Doyle's second Sherlock Holmes novel, The Sign of Four (1890). We begin by providing a broad introduction to the novel, exploring how the novel came to be...

5 lectures

1:37:01

Dr Christopher Pittard

Portsmouth University

English Literature

Robert Browning: My Last Duchess

In this course, Mr Clive Wilmer (University of Cambridge) provides an in-depth analysis of Robert Browning's 'My Last Duchess'. The course begins by introducing Browning himself and the dramatic monologue form, before asking us to consider the...

6 lectures

0:40:47

Mr Clive Wilmer

University of Cambridge

English Literature

Pat Barker: Regeneration

In this course, we explore Pat Barker’s ‘Regeneration’. Set in 1917 in Craiglockhart War Hospital in Edinburgh, the novel follows psychiatrist William Rivers as he treats shell-shocked soldiers, including the poets Siegfried Sassoon and Wilfred...

15 lectures

2:19:48

Prof. John McRae

Nottingham University

English Literature

The Supernatural: A Complete History

In this course, Professor Nick Groom (University of Exeter) explores the history of the supernatural in English and American literature. The course begins by thinking about two of the key sources of supernatural literature, looking in the first...

8 lectures

1:35:29

Prof. Nick Groom

Exeter University

English Literature

Chaucer: The Wife of Bath's Tale

In this course, Professor Marion Turner (University of Oxford) explores The Wife of Bath's Prologue and Tale, part of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. We begin by thinking about the portrait of the Wife of Bath in the General Prologue of the Canterbury...

5 lectures

0:54:45

Prof. Marion Turner

University of Oxford

English Literature

Steinbeck: The Grapes of Wrath

In this course, Dr Sarah Robertson (University of West England) explores John Steinbeck’s 1939 novel, The Grapes of Wrath. We begin by providing some historical context to the novel, focusing in particular on the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl...

4 lectures

0:36:52

Dr Sarah Robertson

UWE Bristol

English Literature

Shakespeare: The Merchant of Venice

In this course, Dr Christie Carson (Royal Holloway, London) explores Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice. We begin in the first module by thinking of the play's status as a comedy: is it enough for the play to end with a marriage...

5 lectures

0:54:40

Dr Christie Carson

Royal Holloway, London

English Literature

Marlowe: Doctor Faustus

In this course, Professor Lisa Hopkins (University of Sheffield Hallam) discusses Marlowe's Doctor Faustus. In the first module, we consider 'the form of Faustus' fortunes', focusing in particular on the importance on books in the play – not least...

6 lectures

0:59:52

Prof. Lisa Hopkins

Sheffield Hallam University

English Literature

Wide Sargasso Sea and Jane Eyre

In this course, we explore Jean Rhys' 'Wide Sargasso Sea' alongside 'Jane Eyre'. Written as a prequel to 'Jane Eyre', 'Wide Sargasso Sea' shares many of the same themes (not to mention characters) as Bronte's novel. In this course, we...

10 lectures

0:47:54

Ms Janelle Rodriques

Newcastle University

English Literature

Wilde: An Ideal Husband

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

Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet

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

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