Stratford is perfectly picturesque. Nearly anywhere you look could be a postcard, or the subject of a painting. It makes sense to me that many writers, poets, and other creative types visit Stratford to connect with their influences and gain inspiration for their compositions. It is a place that possesses both the beauty and stillness to evoke creative reverence and imagination. I took a stroll through the park and read under a gazebo (like I said, it’s pretty much a postage stamp over here), and it definitely prompted some reflection on nature, life, and the tranquility of this place. Once I reached the river it was significantly less quiet, but there were swans so it didn’t really matter. And the Royal Shakespeare Company is really something! They’ve got some great shows lined up with very talented people (Jonathan Groff, Kenneth Branaugh, some others I don’t remember at the moment). And all in the little town of Stratford-upon-Avon.
Compared to London, everyone here moves at a sluggish pace. There are definitely a lot of sloth walkers here, but the city itself seems an idle and relaxing one, so I guess it’s okay. It is also significantly less densely populated, so I have yet to be shoulder checked or side-eyed. And Shakespeare’s birthplace was one of my favorites sites that we’ve visited on the trip because they essentially gave a free guide. Many other museums and locations have audio guides or explanatory plaques and things, but they just aren’t the same as a living person standing in front of you talking about exactly what you are seeing. I enjoy the combination of recuperation and learning that Stratford offers (and the sweets shop is also a plus). Also, the whole town is like a shrine to Shakespeare; there are plaques scattered throughout town denoting locations significant to his life, innumerous statues of him, and street and restaurants named after his characters and plays. Most of this is for the touristic appeal, it’s true, but it also reflects his incredible influence as a writer and cultural figure. If anyone were worthy of such celebration, it would likely be him, but it makes you question whether anyone should be remembered in such a way. I just wonder if the town and its people aren’t swallowed up by his legacy. But at the same time, without Shakespeare, Stratford really wouldn’t be any different from the other towns around.
I think a visit to Stratford is the perfect end to the program. It’s definitely a place you could retire to (although the tourism prices may prove an obstacle), and it’s no wonder that everything closes at 5:00. Although we aren’t retirees, it still serves as a wonderful place for winding down after a bustling three weeks in London. I have the peace of mind to reflect on the whole of the trip, which is an ambitious undertaking that will likely take the rest of my life to complete. I am just amazed at all we have done, experienced, seen, and I can’t help but feel a bit changed by everything. The memory of London will forever live in my mind, and it inevitably has shaped who I am. Maybe not fundamentally, but it has certainly become a piece in the jigsaw puzzle that is me. I’ve gained a surety in myself, a comfort in navigating new places, and a greater appreciation for just how large the world is. It’s been one of the most informative periods of my life and I’m just so grateful to have had the opportunity.
Thanks so much to Professor Irish, Professor Marren, my roommates, and everyone else on this trip for making it a wonderful experience!
Cheers,
Reese
Theatre in London U of A 