Shakespeare is woven into the tapestry of life in Oxford, England. From the Radcliffe Camera library of the Bodleian (which is designed in the style of Shakespeare’s Globe’s) to the stained glass scenes from Shakespeare’s comedies and tragedies in Worcester College, his influence is ever present. The environment’s focus on Shakespeare, the arts, and literature fundamentally changes the way in which courses on these subjects are taught. My classes have maintained a deep emphasis on firsthand experience. Much of my time in England has been spent in the process of immersing myself into the native scenery of great writers and artists of the past. Visiting London to experience plays in the Globe has redefined and heightened how I view many of Shakespeare’s works. I have been able to see them performed and interpreted in ways in which I could never have imagined before my study abroad time.
I have also gotten a chance to experience the history (and by virtue the culture) of Oxford firsthand. From St. Frideswide’s Well (which inspired the Treacle Well in Alice in Wonderland) to the sites of the protestant martyrs, every inch of this town is brimming with historical and cultural significance. Many famous authors, including Lewis Carrol and J.R.R. Tolkien have drawn inspiration from both the Oxford countryside and the grandiose centuries old buildings. Long walks through the countryside have allowed me to trace the paths of great men and women from the past. Organ performances in ancient cathedrals have filled me with immeasurable reverence and awe. While studying in Oxford, you do not just learn about art, you experience it.
