Interesting. I sometimes wish I'd taught more English at a higher level. The only time I did, I knew what I should have done about two years afterwards. Some things I don't know why they put on a syllabus for 18 year olds - well 16 year old when they first enter the 6th form.


The meanings of many poems become obvious to you - but only when you the life experience that informs your reading.

I usedto love those documentaries that Pacino did about Richard III and Dustin Hoffman did about the Merchant of Venice. I had them on VHS. I don't thinkyou can look to those chaps for any great insights into the text - they come from cinema acting, and its its a different sort of discipline to learn what works for the camera and the 20 foot high cinema screen - and to get up and use the poetry from the stage of a big theatre.