By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University) Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) gave us many memorable lines. The majority of these are one-liners and witticisms which he either used in conversation or sprinkled throughout his clever comedies – his plays which were performed to great acclaim during the first half of the 1890s. But ‘each man kills the … Read more
By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University) The tale of St George and the Dragon, or ‘St George of Merrie England’ as it’s also known in some versions, is a classic English fairy tale. And yet its origins aren’t English, and St George accomplished this feat not in England but in another land (usually either Libya … Read more
By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University) Although the plot details of the myth of Pyramus and Thisbe may not be familiar to most readers, many theatregoers will have encountered the myth: it plays an important part in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. But what happens in the story of these two lovers? Let’s take a … Read more
By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University) In the Garden of Gethsemane, Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus to the Romans by identifying him in public so they could seize Jesus and arrest him. Judas pointed out Jesus to the authorities by kissing him in greeting. But there is more to this story than meets the eye, so … Read more
By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University) What are the best poems about progress – whether they celebrate progress, call for things to improve in the world, or focus on specific examples of social change and reform? Below, we introduce ten of the best poems which deal with social and political progress of various kinds. These … Read more
