This article is part of a series on “The Lady of Shalott,” by Alfred, Lord Tennyson. You can read the other articles by clicking on the links below. The Lady of Shalott, by Alfred, Lord Tennyson (Part I & II) The Lady of Shalott, by Alfred, Lord Tennyson (Part III & IV) ~*~ The Lady … Continue reading Who is the Lady of Shalott?
Category: Story
The Story of Creation in Ovid’s Metamorphoses & Genesis
The following essay was submitted to Tyndale University for Introduction to Literature I, Fall 2023. ~*~ The Creation of the World, Wittenberg Luther Bible, 1534 Ovid’s Metamorphoses and the Bible present two accounts of the creation of the world. At first sight, these two accounts appear very similar. In both narratives a god brings the … Continue reading The Story of Creation in Ovid’s Metamorphoses & Genesis
Are Unrelatable Characters Boring?
Setanta (Cuchulain) slays the hound of Culain the smith, by Stephen Reid, 1904 The Wordstapas are reading Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. The discussion on Friday evening began with the comment that Sir Gawain’s perfectly virtuous character was annoying and unrelatable. This raised the question, “Do characters have to be relatable in order to … Continue reading Are Unrelatable Characters Boring?
Arthurian Landmarks: Glastonbury Tor
Glastonbury Tor is a hill in the county of Somerset in south-west England.1 It rises up distinctly and solitarily from the middle of a flat plain and is visible for miles around. St. Michael’s Church Tower, the remains of a 14th century church, is the only building on the summit. It bears a striking resemblance … Continue reading Arthurian Landmarks: Glastonbury Tor
“Tricksy lights”: Will-o’-the-Wisps in Folklore & J.R.R. Tolkien
Das Irrlicht, by Arnold Böcklin, 1882 Will-o’-the-wisps are little dancing lights sometimes seen on bogs and moorlands, and occasionally in forests. Some have been reported to retreat from the viewer if followed, thus giving the impression that it was leading the viewer somewhere. Unfortunately, because will-o’-the-wisps were often seen on bogs and marshes, people who … Continue reading “Tricksy lights”: Will-o’-the-Wisps in Folklore & J.R.R. Tolkien
Arthurian Landmarks: Tintagel Castle
The winter session of The Wordstapas is open for registration. Our first meeting is January 31st. We will be reading The High Deeds of Finn MacCool, by Rosemary Sutcliff, as well as some ancient Irish poetry. An auditing option is available for those who cannot join the live meetings due to commitments or time zone differences. Register here, or contact … Continue reading Arthurian Landmarks: Tintagel Castle
Written Sources for the Historical Arthur
The winter/spring session of The Wordstapas is open for registration. Our first meeting is January 31st. We will be reading The High Deeds of Finn MacCool, by Rosemary Sutcliff, as well as some ancient Irish poetry. An auditing option is available for those who cannot join the live meetings due to commitments or time zone … Continue reading Written Sources for the Historical Arthur
King Arthur at Stirling Castle
In the spring I announced my intention of diving into the “Matter of Britain,” the cornucopia of material concerning King Arthur. This is a long-term project, involving various detours and many interruptions. Before I left for Scotland I hinted that we may begin (or rather, continue) our study of King Arthur with a glance off … Continue reading King Arthur at Stirling Castle
Sutton Hoo Artifacts in the British Museum
I am returned at last from a marvelous sixteen days in London and the Scottish highlands. While in London I made sure to re-visit the British Museum and see again the Sutton Hoo artifacts with fresh (and more educated) eyes. I took some pictures for you and learned several things of interest. The photos were … Continue reading Sutton Hoo Artifacts in the British Museum
The Elegies of the Exeter Book
Welcome to an (slightly) updated Remembered Lore! It was time for a refresh. I have revised the About page and made a couple adjustments to the sidebar. More minor tweaks will be coming. The Wordstapas will get a new page as well in a couple weeks in preparation for the Fall semester---I’ll let you know … Continue reading The Elegies of the Exeter Book
Remembered Lore