Classics Across Cultures – a reading & writing course
Li Po and Tu Fu have been among China’s favourite lyric poets since the 8th century AD. Dante’s spiritual epic The Divine Comedy has been a colossal influence on writers since its composition in fourteenth century Florence, and is often described as the greatest poem ever written. The anonymous Old English epic Beowulf disappeared from sight for over a thousand years, to come into its own again in the 20th century. Their Chinese, Italian and Anglo-Saxon authors offer hugely contrasting visions of the human condition, and equally contrasting suggestions to the writer. We will approach the originals via synopses and translated passages, look at how differently translators like Ezra Pound, Seamus Heaney, Derek Mahon, Kenneth Rexroth and others have approached them, and explore what stimulus they can provide for fresh writing. Time will be given to discussing writing by members of the group but no one will be under pressure to put work forward.
This is a private group. To join you must be a registered site member and request group membership.