Tales of transformation: Ovid’s Metamorphoses
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- Start Date: 08 May 2025End Date: 05 Jun 2025Last Spaces LeftThu (Evening): 18:15 - 19:45OnlineFull fee £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £64.00
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What is the course about?
A short course examining one of the masterpieces of Latin literature, the idiosyncratic epic poem Metamorphoses, which offers a sweeping history of the world from its creation to the time of the emperor Augustus. Ovid’s narrative moves seamlessly through time and space, with transformation the common denominator of the stories he and his internal narrators tell. In this world of constant flux, everything changes shape: gods disguise themselves as animals; humans are transformed into birds, flowers, trees, and stones; and the landscape is regularly renewed.
What will we cover?
We will read a selection of key episodes from the Metamorphoses in English translation, and consider their themes, characterisation, style, and influence on later literature and art.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- discuss the themes emerging from some of its stories;
- appreciate Ovid's style.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is opening to everyone with an interest in Latin literature and does not require any previous knowledge.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Reading followed by discussion.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Bring writing material.
Recommended text: Ovid, Metamorphoses, translated by David Raeburn; Penguin Classics, 2004.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Other ancient literature classes.
Dr Nikoletta Manioti teaches Classical Greek and Latin. Originally from Thessaloniki, Greece, she has a PhD in Classics from the University of Durham. Before coming to City Lit she held academic positions at the University of St Andrews (2012-17 and 2018-2021), at King's College London (2017-18), Birkbeck, University of London (2017-18), and Royal Holloway, University of London (2022-23). She is interested in all aspects of the ancient world, but her research focuses on the family and the representation of space in literature. She is currently writing a book on sisters in 1st century BC Rome. Nikoletta loves teaching in general, and Greek and Latin in particular. She loves learning languages too: she is fluent in Italian; reads French, German, and Spanish; and knows the basics of Portuguese and Swedish.
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.