This course is staffed by passionate and enthusiastic lecturers who love their subject and sharing their knowledge. The study of literature brings with it the opportunity to take on new perspectives, explore ideas, beliefs and values, challenge or discover your own and learn the literary skills to express yourself in original and creative ways. These are skills that will be useful throughout your life and any career you choose.
This work will help you get to grips with some of the key concepts that underpin the first two terms in English Literature. Building these foundations now will put you in good stead when you begin your course in September.
Did you know? We use Shakespeare’s language every day. ‘Aside from introducing an estimated 3,000 words into the English language, there are also everyday phrases the Bard coined that we still use today, 400 years later. The British Council report if it wasn’t for Shakespeare we wouldn’t be saying “heart of gold”, “wild goose chase”, “faint-hearted”, “break the ice” or “love is blind”.’ – The Independent 22nd April 2016
Check out the trailer for Othello (the first text we study) here.
Listen to Lenny Henry: Othello Across the Ages
Optional: watch a version of the whole play.
Explore the following resources on tragedy:
Read the information here on tragedy and complete the tasks below to get you thinking about what tragedy means.
What do we mean by the term ‘tragedy’? It’s a word that we hear regularly, to refer to all kinds of events in the media. What does it take for something to be termed a ‘tragedy’? How would you define the term? Write some ideas below.
Write down five events, dramas, stories, films and television programmes you can think of that involve aspects of tragedy.
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In English literature, tragedy has a more specific meaning. Crucial to your study of literature this year is to understand the conventions of the genre, what is ‘usual’ for a tragedy, and the extent to which writers conform to or deviate from these expected genre characteristics.
We will be studying Othello (William Shakespeare), Death of a Salesman (Arthur Miller) and Tess of the d’Urbervilles (Thomas Hardy).
Explore what tragedy means by watching the following:
Whilst watching the clips below, make notes on the features of tragedy and why it is such an important dramatic genre:
Research the American dream – Investopedia: American Dream
All the texts you will study will be provided but if you would like to get ahead and start some summer reading, we use the following editions:
Watching a play in performance is a great way to really engage with the drama and tragedy, so seeing different versions will really help you to get to grips with the key themes, ideas and dramatic techniques and structure of the narratives. Try YouTube or other sources for alternative adaptations.
Jane Shellard
Joyce Rogers
Pete Budd
We look forward to seeing you soon!
