Tag: Facts

Literature

Five Fascinating Facts about Gallus

A short biography of one of ancient Rome’s lost poets 1. The poetry of Gallus inspired a whole raft of famous Roman poets, but none of his work survives. Author of the Metamorphoses, Ovid (pictured below right), praised Gallus alongside the Greek writers Homer and Sophocles (the author of the […]

Literature

Five Fascinating Facts about Othello

Fun facts about Shakespeare’s classic tragedy 1. Othello has given us some very famous phrases. Whether we’re describing jealousy as ‘the green-eyed monster’, talking of sexual intercourse as ‘the beast with two backs’, or wearing our heart on our sleeve, we’re quoting Shakespeare’s Othello when we do so. 2. Quite […]

Literature

Five Fascinating Facts about The Merchant of Venice

Fun facts about Shakespeare’s play 1. Contrary to popular belief, the ‘merchant of Venice’ in the title of Shakespeare’s play isn’t Shylock. In the popular consciousness – i.e. among those who are aware that Shakespeare’s play contains a character named Shylock but who haven’t read or seen the play – […]