I just got word from the bookstore that the new copies of the course pack are in stock! If you’re around campus today, you should be able to pick yours up. If you can’t make it in before our next class meeting, I have the readings posted under the “Assignments” tab.
While you’re waiting, check out this short video from the New York Times of (amazing!) actress Fiona Shaw performing an excerpt from “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner.” A few years ago, she performed the whole thing at BAM. It gives me chills.
Fiona Shaw performs “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner”
EDIT: You may also like this Onion article now that you are able to understand the joke!
Opium-inspired Ad Executive Composes Epic Tums Jingle
from Shaw’s UK performance of the poem
3 comments
Hi,
Wow this is amazing! I didn’t think there’s that much passion for an 18th century poem still. Also, when I was reading the poem I didn’t imagine the scene to be like this: someone almost in a daze speaking into space. This brings almost an eerie feeling!
This reminds me of those occasional times when semi-dazed individuals come into my subway car and starts staring into space and ranting about some interesting topics. Now I’m starting to wonder whether they’re really there to give a practice trial before they get featured on the New York Times!
-Nhan
Author
You know, the comparison isn’t far off, Nhan. Those subway encounters really can feel like being the wedding guest approached by this wild stranger. Of course, a big difference is that the wedding guest in the poem isn’t dismissive or derisive (as we tend to be) but rather—after a moment, at least—completely captivated. The guest listens compulsively and, as we also know, the mariner tells his story compulsively. I think Shaw captures something of that in the way she seems almost like a vehicle or a medium for a story than a *storyteller*.
She’s really an amazing stage actress—though many of you may know her from the Harry Potter movies! (She’s Aunt Petunia.)
Professor,
Thank you so much for providing this little humorous article to support the suspicion I raised up in class! Although It’s so appealing now to write a close reading paper on the effect that opium has on the interpretation of poems, I will probably stick with something more tradition because my only source to cite would probably be that Onion article, and I don’t think that is sufficient source.
Also, I must admit I know Aunt Petunia that you had noted. Sadly, Harry Potter is the closest experience I ever had of London. I know exactly what Street Harry got his first wand!
-Nhan