Latest news with #DepartmentofEnglish
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Collection of poems released
Vagina Dialogues, a collection of poems by Sruthi J.S. who is serving as the Joint Commissioner, Central Tax and Central Excise Commissionerate, Thiruvananthapuram, was released here recently. Kerala State Planning Board member Mini Sukumar released the book that was received by Manu Remakant, Head of the Department of English, S.N. College, Chempazhanthy. In her address, Ms. Sukumar highlighted the influence of the feminist performance text The Vagina Monologues on the themes and structure of the book. Dr. Remakant spoke about the tone of the collection and the political context of its feminist themes.
Hans India
24-04-2025
- General
- Hans India
RGM Engineering College celebrates English Language Day with fervour
Nandyal: RGM College of Engineering and Technology, Nandyal, celebrated English Language Day on Wednesday to honor the legacy of William Shakespeare and to recognize the global importance of the English language. The event was marked by scholarly insight, spirited discussions, and a deep appreciation of literature's role in shaping communication and critical thinking. The celebration was graced by Dr G Nagalakshmamma, a distinguished academician from Govt. IASE, Kurnool, who served as the Chief Guest. In her keynote address, Dr Nagalakshmamma inspired the students with her innovative ideas and reflections on the enduring relevance of Shakespeare's works. Quoting from several of his plays, she emphasized how Shakespeare's writing encapsulates essential values, social skills, and life lessons that continue to resonate across cultures and generations. She also underlined the significance of English as a 'lingua franca', playing a vital role in connecting people from diverse linguistic backgrounds. The event was convened by Prof. Suneetha Yadav, who offered insightful commentary on the literary contributions of William Shakespeare, explaining his unmatched influence on English literature and drama. Dr P Kousar Basha, Head of the Department of English, along with senior faculty members Dr G Kiran Kumar Reddy, Dr AK Gopi Krishna, and other professors, attended the event, lending their support and encouragement to the initiative. As part of the celebration, engaging panel discussions were conducted with the active participation of students and faculty members. The sessions focused on improving language proficiency, public speaking, and communication skills among engineering students, stressing the growing need for strong English language abilities in the global job market. The celebration not only paid tribute to the Bard of Avon.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Letter reveals Shakespeare did not abandon his wife
The relationship between William Shakespeare and his wife Anne Hathaway may have been happier than previously thought, according to new research. For more than 200 years it has been believed that Shakespeare left his wife in Stratford-upon-Avon when he travelled to London and that a decision to leave her almost nothing in his will meant he probably felt bitterness towards her. However, examination of a fragment of a letter, which is addressed to "good Mrs Shakespeare", appears to show they did live together in central London between 1600-1610. The research was carried out by Prof Matthew Steggle from the University of Bristol's Department of English. In the letter, which was preserved by accident in the binding of a book in Hereford, it is alleged that Shakespeare is withholding money from an orphan boy named John Butts, with the letter asking Mrs Shakespeare for money instead. Prof Steggle said: "First discovered in 1978, the letter's been known for a while, but no-one could identify the names or places involved or see any reason to think that the Mr Shakespeare in the letter was necessarily William rather than anyone else of the same name in the general period. "So, it's a story about the Shakespeares' marriage, really, as well as about Shakespeare's London contacts. "And if the writing on the back of the letter is a reply, then it's also a story about the first ever bit of writing which can be attributed to Anne Hathaway." The letter refers to the boy being a fatherless apprentice and through his research Prof Steggle says there was only one person in London called John Butts who fits that criteria. The letter also refers to a Trinity Lane and of the four married couples called Shakspaire (spelling of the time) known to be in London in that period, only William and Anne are likely to have lived in that area. "It at least doubles the number of letters known to be addressed to or sent from Shakespeare and his family," Prof Steggle said. "Currently, there's only one known. It also shows a side of Shakespeare's London life that's not been known before, giving him a new address in Trinity Lane and a whole new sphere of activity for him." Prof Steggle said it "opens the door" to the idea Shakespeare's wife did indeed spend "significant" time with her husband in London. Speaking on BBC Radio 4's World at One programme, author Maggie O'Farrell who has written about Anne Hathaway called the discovery "thrilling" and "wonderful". Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Ukraine war highlighted at Shakespeare festival Stolen Shakespeare folio goes on display Pupils take to stage to celebrate Shakespeare University of Bristol
Daily Mail
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Scientists discover lost Shakespeare letter that upends what we know about playwright's life - leaving biographers with a 'horrible problem'
He famously wrote of 'starcrossed lovers' in his play Romeo and Juliet. But for years it was assumed that William Shakespeare's own marriage was an unhappy one, with the pair spending most of their time apart. Now, new evidence suggests that it wasn't so miserable after all, after experts unearthed a lost letter addressed to 'Good Mrs Shakespeare' in London. And it leaves biographers with a 'horrible problem' – as everything they understood about the relationship could be wrong. Until now, it has been believed that Shakespeare left Anne, whose maiden name was Hathaway, in Stratford-upon-Avon so he could spend all his time in London without her. This has led scholars to infer that their marriage could have been an unhappy one with the couple living apart – William in London, Anne in Warwickshire. There is also a widespread consensus that she was probably illiterate and uncultured. The playwright's apparent bitterness towards her is reflected in his refusal to leave her anything in his will - apart from the 'second-best' bed. Now Professor Matthew Steggle from the University of Bristol's Department of English, has examined a fragment of letter, preserved by accident in the binding of a book in Hereford, which is addressed to 'good Mrs Shakespeare'. It appears to show both of the Shakespeares living together in central London at some point in the decade 1600-1610. Prior to this discovery there is no written evidence that ever puts Anne in the capital with her husband. Addressed to 'Good Mrs Shakspaire', the letter mentions the death of a Mr Butts and a son, John, who is left 'fatherles'. It appears to suggest that Shakespeare is withholding money from the boy – and implores his wife to 'paye your husbands debt'. A bit of writing on the back of the letter – which could have been a reply from Anne – tells the writer that it's their problem to find the money. The discovery indicates that Anne Shakespeare spent a significant amount of time with her playwright husband – and was heavily involved with his monetary affairs and social networks. Professor Steggle said: 'First discovered in 1978, the letter's been known for a while, but no-one could identify the names or places involved or see any reason to think that the Mr Shakespeare in the letter was necessarily William rather than anyone else of the same name in the general period. 'So, it's a story about the Shakespeares' marriage, really, as well as about Shakespeare's London contacts. 'And if the writing of the back of the letter is a reply, then it's also a story about the first ever bit of writing which can be attributed to Anne Hathaway.' The letter refers to the young apprentice living in a London settlement which contained – at that date – a place called Trinity Lane. Professor Steggle searched for records of a fatherless apprentice of that name across the whole period, identifying only one viable candidate - a boy who finished his apprenticeship around 1607. He then made a list of known married couples called 'Shakspaire' recorded in London in the 30 years leading up to 1607. In centuries of looking, scholars have only turned up four married couples of that surname in the city in this date range. None of the other three look at all likely to have lived in Trinity Lane, a moderately prosperous part of the city near Queenhithe - a small and ancient ward situated by the River Thames and to the south of St Paul's Cathedral - at the right date. 'In short - it's two steps,' Professor Steggle explained. 'You identify the boy involved and given that it's him and that fixes the date, then Shakespeare is much the best recorded candidate to be the London-based 'Mr Shakspaire'. 'It at least doubles the number of letters known to be addressed to or sent from Shakespeare and his family. 'Currently, there's only one known. It also shows a side of Shakespeare's London life that's not been known before, giving him a new address in Trinity Lane and a whole new sphere of activity for him.' He said that since the letter is the first reference of any sort to Anne Shakespeare in London, it 'opens the door to considering the possibility that she did indeed spend significant time with her husband in London'. It seems to show her being involved with her husband's money affairs and social networks, he said. 'So, it's a game-changer in terms of thinking about the Shakespeares' marriage. And, if the material on the back is - as it may well be - a fragment of a reply from Mrs Shakspaire, then these would be the first recorded words ever to have come from Shakespeare's wife.' The research is being published in Shakespeare, the journal of the British Shakespeare Association. In it, Mr Steggle writes: 'For Shakespeare biographers who favour the narrative of the 'disastrous marriage' – in fact, for all Shakespeare biographers – the Hereford document should be a horrible, difficult problem.' William Shakespeare: The playwright, poet and actor whose reputation transcends all other writers William Shakespeare (baptised April 26, 1564 – died April 23, 1616) was an English playwright, poet, and actor who is widely believed to have been the greatest dramatist of all time. The playwright continues to occupy a position unique in world literature as someone whose reputation transcends that of all other popular writers. He is credited with producing 39 plays, 154 sonnets and three long poems. His plays, the most famous of which include Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet and Othello, have been translated into every major language. They are performed thousands of times a year by actors all across the world and are studied by millions of students across the UK and elsewhere. Shakespeare was born and raised in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire. He married Anne Hathaway at the age of 18 and had three children with her: Susanna and twins Hamnet and Judith. At some point between 1585 and 1592, Shakespeare began a career in London as an actor and writer. He was the part owner of a playing company called the Lord Chamberlain's Men, who later became known as the King's Men. They built the Globe Theatre, in Southwark, South London, at which they performed many of Shakespeare's plays. The theatre was destroyed by fire in 1613 but rebuilt the following year before being closed in 1642 and then pulled down. A modern reconstruction of the Globe, named 'Shakespeare's Globe', was built less than 800 feet from the site of the original theatre and opened in 1997. At the age of 49, Shakespeare is believed to have retired back to Stratford, before he died three years later. However, there are scant records of his private life and considerable speculation continues about his exact physical appearance.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Marshall educator named 2024 Professor of the Year for West Virginia
HUNTINGTON Marshall University's Dr. Rachael Peckham, a member of the university's Department of English, has been named the 2024 Professor of the Year by the Faculty Merit Foundation of West Virginia. Peckham was presented with the award during an event on April 17 in Charleston. She was one of five finalists for the recognition that included professors from Glenville State University, West Virginia University Institute of Technology, Shepherd University and West Virginia University. 'There is not a day goes by that I don't count myself lucky to be a part of the Marshall family,' Peckham said during the awards ceremony. 'The abundance of teaching awards, fellowships, grants and opportunities for collaboration at Marshall continually remind me of my good fortune, to be teaching at a university that so clearly values the work of its faculty — and for good reason; there is so much talent here. I am a better teacher for working alongside colleagues I admire and feel inspired by every day. 'But it's the students, more than anything, that bring me purpose and joy. I get to know them personally through their autobiographical writing, so to watch them grow and thrive, not just as writers but as people, brings meaning and power to every day.' Peckham earned her bachelor's degree from Hope College, a master's in creative writing from Georgia College and State University and completed her doctoral work in creative writing at Ohio University. She is the author of Alight: 'Flights of Prose' (Uncollected Press) and 'Muck Fire: Prose Poems and Other Cultivations' (forthcoming from Compass Press). Peckham's articles, essays and poems have received other awards and distinctions, including two honorable mentions in the Best American Essays series, the ½ K Prize at Indiana Review, the Orison Anthology Nonfiction Award and the Special Feature Literary Nonfiction Award at Crab Orchard Review. She is a frequent lecturer and presenter and has performed numerous public readings of her writings. In addition to the 2024 Professor of the Year honor, Peckham has been presented with the Marshall University Hedrick Outstanding Faculty Award (2022-2023); John Marshall Scholar Award (2021); the Love of Learning Award from Phi Kappa Phi (2020); and a John Deaver Drinko Distinguished Fellow (2017-2019). Peckham becomes the fifth Marshall University professor to receive the state Professor of the Year award. Other Marshall winners include Dr. Kateryna A.R. Schray (2013), Dr. Bonita Lawrence (2009), Dr. Montserrat Martí Miller (2007) and Dr. Robert B. Walker (1989).
