Fantasy Literature

By Oxford UniversityEducation

Fantasy Literature episodes

December 11, 2023 Tolkien and Beowulf
A talk by Dr Laura Varnam on Tolkien's long engagement with the Old English poem 'Beowulf' as part of the Tolkien 50th Commemoration seminar series. A talk by Dr Laura Varnam, University College, Oxford, on Tolkien's long engagement with the Old English poem 'Beowulf'. Part of the series to mark the 50th anniversary of Tolkien's death organised and hosted by Exeter College and the Faculty of English.
50 min
December 11, 2023 A Heroic History of the Elves: Tolkien’s “lost” Mythology of England?
A talk by PhD candidate Grace Khuri, University of Oxford, on Tolkien's Elvish history and English 'mythology', as part of the Tolkien 50th Commemoration seminar series. A talk by PhD candidate Grace Khuri, University of Oxford, on Tolkien's Elvish history and English 'mythology'.. Part of the series to mark the 50th anniversary of Tolkien's death organised and hosted by Exeter College and the Faculty of English.
55 min
December 11, 2023 Tolkien and the Classics
A talk by Professor Giuseppe Pezzini on the influences of Classical Literature on Tolkien. [Audio only] A talk by Professor Giuseppe Pezzini, Faculty of Classics, Oxford, on the influences of Classical Literature on Tolkien.. Part of the series to mark the 50th anniversary of Tolkien's death organised and hosted by Exeter College and the Faculty of English.
51 min
December 08, 2023 Peak Middle-earth: Why Mount Doom is not the climax of 'The Lord of the Rings'
Audio only recording by Dr Michael Ward, Faculty of Theology, University of Oxford, as part of the Tolkien 50th Commemoration seminar series. [Audio only] Consideration of the climax to 'The Lord of the Rings' and in particular events at the Field of Cormallen. Part of the series to mark the 50th anniversary of Tolkien's death organised and hosted by Exeter College and the Faculty of English.
44 min
December 08, 2023 How to write 'The Lord of the Rings'
A lecture by Dr S Lee as part of the Tolkien 50th Commemoration seminar series. A look at how Tolkien wrote 'The Lord of the Rings' and what lessons can be learnt from this. Part of the series to mark the 50th anniversary of Tolkien's death organised and hosted by Exeter College and the Faculty of English.
59 min
September 29, 2021 Fantasy Creatures
Dr Caroline Batten and Dr Megan Cavell discuss fantastic animals in fantasy text Dr Caroline Batten and Dr Megan Cavell discuss fantastic animals in fantasy texts, from their classical origins to the modern day. Topics include medieval bestiaries, The Last Unicorn, dragons and their mothers, Donkey's romantic arc in Shrek, the queerness of Ursula the Sea Witch, and the monstrosity of gender.
58 min
August 31, 2021 A Conversation with Katherine Langrish
Dr Caroline Batten chats with author Katherine Langrish about her book 'From Spare Oom to War Drobe' Dr Caroline Batten chats with author Katherine Langrish about her book 'From Spare Oom to War Drobe: Travels in Narnia with My Nine-Year-Old Self'. Topics include Plato, medieval romance, racism in fantasy, the importance of fanfiction, the problem of Susan, and The Pilgrim's Progress.
53 min
July 30, 2021 Faith in fantasy literature
A short discussion of the role of faith in fantasy literature A short discussion of the role of faith in fantasy literature looking at the novels of James Islington's Licanius Trilogy, and Tasha Sri's 'Realm of Ash'. The talk is given by Katherine Olley, JRF at Oxford.
13 min
July 30, 2021 Brian McClellan
A discussion of the writer Brian McClellan. A look at Brian McClellan, author of The Powder Mage trilogy. This talk is presented by Katherine Olley, JRF at Oxford.
12 min
July 29, 2021 C. S. Lewis and 'The Wind in the Willows'
A discussion of the influence of 'The Wind in the Willows' on fantasy writers - notably C. S. Lewis A discussion of the influence of 'The Wind in the Willows' on fantasy writers - notably C. S. Lewis. the talk is by Professor Simon Horobin, Magdalen College, Oxford.
29 min

About Fantasy Literature

From the publisher's feed

Fantasy Literature has emerged as one of the most important genres over the past few decades and now enjoys extraordinary levels of popularity. The impact of Tolkien’s Middle-earth works and the serialisation of George Martin’s ‘Game of Thrones’ books has moved these and their contemporaries into mainstream culture. As the popularity grows so does interest in the roots of fantasy, the main writers and themes, and how to approach these texts.