Although the origins of the Iliad and the Odyssey are wrapped in mystery, their influence continues to reverberate throughout Western culture. This masterclass with Charlotte Higgins is a fantastic opportunity to learn about Homer’s two great epics and the immeasurable influence they’ve had on theatre, poetry, novels and cinema.
The Iliad and the Odyssey are among the oldest extant works of Western literature, usually dated to around the eight century BC. During this class, you’ll examine the poetics, imagery and structure of these two dramatic tales, set during and after the Trojan War. You’ll learn how they informed subsequent Greek literature – including the great Greek tragedies and the lyric outpourings of Sappho, one of the few known female poets of the ancient world. Plus, you’ll discover how Homer’s work continues to inspire writing in the present day, from Michael Longley to Alice Oswald and Margaret Atwood.
Charlotte is one of the UK’s best-known writers and classicists. She’s the Guardian’s chief culture writer and has written numerous books including It’s All Greek to Me, which brings the history of ancient Greece to life. If you wish you’d studied the Classics at school, or want to reignite your passion for the subject, don’t miss out on this fascinating masterclass. Book your place now and let Charlotte reawaken your interest in the ancient world – and the ways it continues to inform the present.
More about your teacher...
Charlotte Higgins is the chief culture writer of the Guardian and a member of its editorial board. A classicist by education, she has written three books on aspects of the ancient world. The most recent, Under Another Sky: Journeys in Roman Britain, was shortlisted for the Samuel Johnson prize for non-fiction. This New Noise, a book based on her nine-part series of essays on the BBC, was published by Guardian-Faber in 2015.
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Details
Date: Wednesday 16 March 2016
Times: 7pm-9pm
Location: The Guardian, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU
Price: £39 (includes VAT, booking fee and drinks)
Event capacity: 100
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Returns policy
Tickets may be refunded if you contact us at least 14 days before the course start date. Please see our terms and conditions for more information on our refund policy.
