Philosophy and literature: Identity, Truth and the Poetic Word
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- Start Date: 19 Sep 2025End Date: 05 Dec 2025Fri (Daytime): 12:45 - 14:45In PersonLocation: Keeley StreetDuration: 12 sessions (over -12 weeks)Course Code: HP105Tutors: Barrie SelwynFull fee £309.00 Senior fee £247.00 Concession £201.00
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What is the course about?
We will explore the relationship between philosophy and literature, examining how literary texts engage with fundamental questions about identity, knowledge, and consciousness. Beginning with Shakespeare's profound interrogations of selfhood in four major tragedies (Richard II, Hamlet, Othello, and King Lear), students analyze questions of self-knowledge and power. The course then examines Blake and Nietzsche's radical critiques of Enlightenment rationality, before turning to modernist representations of fragmentation and alienation in Eliot's The Waste Land and Forster's Howards End. The course concludes by investigating the philosophical insights offered by poetry through Heidegger, Merleau-Ponty, and Wallace Stevens, exploring how poetic language articulates philosophical truths that escape traditional discourse.We will explore the relationship between philosophy and literature, examining how literary texts engage with fundamental questions about identity, knowledge, and consciousness. Beginning with Shakespeare's profound interrogations of selfhood in four major tragedies (Richard II, Hamlet, Othello, and King Lear), students analyze questions of self-knowledge and power. The course then examines Blake and Nietzsche's radical critiques of Enlightenment rationality, before turning to modernist representations of fragmentation and alienation in Eliot's The Waste Land and Forster's Howards End. The course concludes by investigating the philosophical insights offered by poetry through Heidegger, Merleau-Ponty, and Wallace Stevens, exploring how poetic language articulates philosophical truths that escape traditional discourse.
What will we cover?
Who is it who can tell who I am? - Power, self-knowledge and identity in Shakespeare’s Richard II, Hamlet, Othello and King Lear
Blake and Nietzsche and the critique of rationality - An exploration of the two great prophets of post enlightenment thinking.
Fragmention in modern consciousness - Alienation – from the Wasteland to Howard’s End
Poetry, Language and thought - Reciprocity between poetry and philosophy Heidegger Merleau Ponty and Wallace Stevens.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
Apply sophisticated tools for philosophical and literary analysis,
explore how complex ideas about human identity, knowledge, and consciousness that emerge through different literary forms.
Apply critical skills in understanding how literature articulates philosophical insights in ways traditional philosophical discourse cannot, while honing youf ability to engage with fundamental questions that remain vital to contemporary thought.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
A general appreciation of literature and a willingness engage with ideas and concepts is all that is required. An open mind and being prepared to listen and respond to ideas with which you may not always agree are more important than specific levels of skill.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The course to taught by interactive lecture. Learning material will be posted on google classroom in advance of each session to help learners prepare for the session, The course will involve enjoyable challenges.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
No other costs. You may want to bring a pen and notebook.
Some useful preparation would be to engage with some of the following:
King Lear - William Shakespeare (preferably Arden edition)
The Marriage of Heaven and Hell - William Blake
Thus Spoke Zarathustra (Prologue and Book 1) - Friedrich Nietzsche
The Waste Land - T.S. Eliot
EM Forster's Howards End is a very readable masterpiece
Colin McGuinn’s Shakespeare’s Philosophy is easily available as a second hand book and available on Kindle.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
You might be interested in HP130 Philosophy and cultural theory, with the same tutor.
Barrie Selwyn is a regular tutor at City Lit. Formerly the Principal of Kingston Adult Education, he is the lead tutor for the School of Ideas at Richmond and Hillcroft Adult Community College. Educated at Hackney Downs School, Sussex University and University of London, he is a highly respected adult educationalist specializing in philosophy and literature. Barrie is the Chair of the Kingston Philosophy Café, which he helped to set up in 2007. He is a regular speaker around London philosophy venues, talking on topics such as Nietzsche and the Frankfurt School, Kant and post-Kantian Idealism and Richard Rorty and post-analytic philosophy. He is also an alto saxophonist and a keen jazz fan.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
