T
his morning the Poet Laureate, Andrew Motion, told BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme that it is becoming increasingly difficult to teach English Literature because students do not know the Bible or classical mythology. Having encountered very similar problems when teaching classic works like those by Shakespeare or Milton, but also more modern and popular genres like fantasy and modern poetry, this semester I started teaching a new course that is designed to introduce classical mythology to students and also to explore the way the mythical themes have been used in English literature, from medieval to modern. The title of the course is Classical Myths in English Literature, and it is open both to undergraduates and to adult learners. I am also working on writing this course for online delivery so watch this space for a relevant announcement!
Following the poet laureate’s comments, BBC Radio Wales’ programme Good Evening Wales interviewed me on my experience of students’ knowledge of the classics and the Bible.
- To listen to this short interview click here.
- To read a report on Andrew Motion’s comments on the BBC website click here.
- For more information on my course Classical Myths in English Literature and all my other courses see under Teaching.
The painting is “The Birth of Venus” by Botticelli, housed in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence.
