I absolutely loved Westminster Abbey!! What a beautiful place!! It was boiling hot today so it was nice to cool off at one of the most beautifully crafted places in London. I was so interested and surprised by all the names, graves, and monuments I found throughout. The one thing that I will say is, what’s the thing with basically none of the women writers having statues or big monuments… it’s giving sexism!!
Alfred Tennyson was one of the most famous poets of the Victorian era in Britain. His poetry is known for its emotional depth, vivid imagery, and themes of nature, loss, heroism, and the passage of time. One of his most famous works is “The Charge of the Light Brigade,” which is about British soldiers and their bravery in the Crimean War. My favorite part of the poem is, ” Theirs not to make reply, Theirs not to reason why, Theirs but to do and die.” His poetry reflected on many Victorian concerns at the time such as scientific changes, religion, and conflict between tradition and progress.
William Shakespeare is widely considered on of the greatest writers in the English language. He was born in Stratford-upon-Avon (I cannot wait to visit!!) and became a famous playwright, poet, and actor during the Elizabethan and Jacobean periods. His work is still studied, taught, and praised heavily today.
Shakespeare’s plays were usually divided into the three categories of tragedies, comedies, and histories. Some of his bigger plays were Hamlet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Henry V. Many of his plays were shown at the Globe Theatre (shoutout!!!). His writing was famous for its emotional depth, memorable characters, and creative use of language. Fun fact, Shakespeare coined the phrase, “break the ice.” Even though his plays were written so long ago, many people can still relate and connect with them today.
Thomas Campbell was a Scottish poet born in Glasgow. He was famous during the Romantic period for his poetry that focused heavily on patriotism, heroism, and strong emotion. His writing used musical language and dramatic storytelling.
He is famously known for his poem, ” The Pleasures of Hope,” which was a super long poem that reflects on freedom, human progress, and optimism. My favorite line from the poem is “Tis distance lends enchantment to the view,” which means that things often seem more appealing when viewed from far away or remembered from the past. Fun fact, Campbell also founded the University College London. He was a big supporter of education and liberal political causes.
Theatre in London U of A 