Culture

William Shakespeare | Biography: 

William Shakespeare, surely the world's most performed and admired playwright, was born in April, 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, about 100 miles northwest of London. According to the records of Stratford's Holy Trinity Church, he was baptized on April 26. From roughly 1594 onward he was an important member of the Lord Chamberlain’s Men Company of theatrical players. Written records give little indication of the way in which Shakespeare’s professional life molded his artistry. All that can be deduced is that over the course of 20 years, Shakespeare wrote plays that capture the complete range of human emotion and conflict.

Most famous works: 

v  Comedies: All's Well That Ends Well, As You Like It, The Comedy of Errors, Love's Labour's Lost, Measure for Measure, The Merchant of Venice, The Merry Wives of Windsor, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Much Ado About Nothing, The Tempest, Twelfth Night, or What You Will, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, The Two Noble Kinsmen, The Winter's Tale.

v  Histories: King John, Richard II, Henry IV, part 1, Henry IV, part 2, Henry V, Henry VI, part1, Henry VI, part 2, Henry VI, part 3, Richard III,Henry VIII.

v  Tragedies: Romeo and Juliet, Coriolanus, Titus Andronicus, Timon of Athens, Julius Caesar, Macbeth, Hamlet, Troilus and Cressida, King Lear, Othello, Antony and Cleopatra.

v  Poems: Shakespeare's Sonnets, Venus and Adonis, The Rape of Lucrece, The Passionate Pilgrim, The Phoenix and the Turtle, A Lover's Complaint.

Shakespeare's quotes: 

v “I dare do all that may become a man; who dares do more, is none.” - Macbeth, Scene VII, act 1.
v “To be, or not to be, that is the question” - Hamlet: Act 3, Scene 1.
v “Return of love, more blest may be the view; As call it winter, which being full of care, Makes summer’s welcome thrice more wish’d, more rare.” Sonet56 - William Shakespeare, The Sonnets and A Lover's Complaint.
v “Gloucester: O! let me kiss that hand! , - Lear: Let me wipe it first; it smells of mortality.” Scene VI, act IV, King Lear – William Shakespeare.
v “O God, that men should put an enemy in their mouths to steal away their brains!" – Cassio (Act II, Scene iii)” ― Othello.
v “Gloucester: O! let me kiss that hand!
Lear: Let me wipe it first; it smells of mortality.” Scene VI, act IV, King Lear.

The tradegy of Romeo and Juliet: The greatest love story of all time

It is considered as the greatest love sory of all time. Although he knew it would be cliché, but the real moral of te story here is that sometimes love is doomed to fail, and that applais no matter how old you are or what time you're living in.

Charles Dickens (1812-1870) | Biography:

Charles Dickens, English Victorian era author wrote numerous highly acclaimed novels including his most autobiographical David Copperfield (1848-1850);as a prolific 19th Century author of short stories, plays, novellas, novels, fiction and non, during his lifetimeDickens became known the world over for his remarkable characters, his mastery of prose in the telling of their lives, and his depictions of the social classes, mores and values of his times. He had his share of critics like Virginia Woolf and Henry James, but also many admirers, even into the 21st Century.

Most famous works: 

v  Great Expectations

v  Hard Times

v  The Old Curiosity Shop

v  Dombey and Son

v  A Tale of Two Cities

v  Oliver Twist 

Dickens' quotes:

v “There are books of which the backs and covers are by far the best parts.” - Charles Dickens, Oliver Twist.

v “You have been the last dream of my soul.” - Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities.

v “In a word, I was too cowardly to do what I knew to be right, as I had been too cowardly to avoid doing what I knew to be wrong.” - Charles Dickens, Great Expectations.

v “There is a wisdom of the head, and... there is a wisdom of the heart.” - Charles Dickens, Hard Times.

Jane Austen (1775-1817) | Biography:

Jane Austen was an English novelist whose books, set among the English middle and upper classes, are notable for their wit, social observation and insights into the lives of early 19th century women.Jane Austen is one of the few novelists in world literature who is regarded as a "classic" and yet is widely read.

Jane's brother Henry helped her negotiate with a publisher and her first novel, 'Sense and Sensibility', appeared in 1811. Her next novel 'Pride and Prejudice', which she described as her "own darling child" received highly favourable reviews. 'Mansfield Park' was published in 1814, then 'Emma' in 1816. 'Emma' was dedicated to the prince regent, an admirer of her work. All of Jane Austen's novels were published anonymously.

Most famous works: 

v  Northanger Abbey - 1798-99

v  Sense and Sensibility - 1797-1811

v  Pride and Prejudice - 1700, rewritten 1811-1812, published 1813.

v  Mansfield Park - 1811-1814

v  Emma - 1814-1815

Austen's quotes:

v  “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.” - Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice.

v  “The more I know of the world, the more I am convinced that I shall never see a man whom I can really love. I require so much!” - Jane Austen, Sense And Sensibility.

v  “He is a gentleman, and I am a gentleman's daughter. So far we are equal.” - Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice.

v  “If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more.” - Jane Austen, Emma.

v  “No man is offended by another man's admiration of the woman he loves; it is the woman only who can make it a torment.” - Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey.

Pride and Prejudice: A love story centuries old, but eternally fresh

The reason why it is her most famous work is because it is universally acknowledged as he most perfectly and satisfying of novel, and one which may be read dozens of times with increasing pleasure and admiration.We also can see the masochism of unrequited and angry love, and nothing seems to have changed between then and now.

Virginia (Stephen) Woolf | Biography:

Woolf, Virginia (Stephen), 1882–1941, English novelist and essayist; daughter of Sir Leslie Stephen. A successful innovator in the form of the novel, she is considered a significant force in 20th-century fiction. As a novelist Woolf's primary concern was to represent the flow of ordinary experience. Her emphasis was not on plot or characterization but on a character's consciousness, his thoughts and feelings, which she brilliantly illuminated by the stream of consciousness technique.

Most famous works:
- The White Peacock (1911)
- The Trespasser (1912)
- Sons and Lovers (1913)
- The Rainbow (1915)
- Women in Love (1920)
- The Lost Girl (1920)
- Aaron's Rod (1922)

David Herbert Lawrence| Biography:

David Herbert Lawrence (11 September 1885 – 2 March 1930) was an English novelist, poet, playwright, essayist, literary critic and painter who published as D. H. Lawrence. His collected works represent an extended reflection upon the dehumanising effects of modernity and industrialisation. In them, Lawrence confronts issues relating to emotional health and vitality, spontaneity, and instinct.He is described as "The greatest imaginative novelist of our generation."

Most famous works:

- Lady Chatterley’s Lover (1928)
- Women in Love (1920)
- The Rainbow (1915)
- Sons and Lovers (1913)


 Lady Chatterley's Lover
It s Lawrence’s most controversial novel, and perhaps the first serious work of literature to explore human sexuality in explicit detail, and It features some of his most lyrical and poetic prose style alongside the theme of class conflict.

LED ZEPPELIN

Led Zeppelin is a British rock band that was extremely popular in the 1970s. They are considered to be one of the most successful, innovative and influential rock bands in the history of music. The members were Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones, and John Bonham.

With their heavy, guitar-driven sound, Led Zeppelin was regarded as one of the first heavy metal bands. Their rock-infused interpretation of the blues also incorporated sounds from other genres such as reggae, soul and folk. 

Led Zeppelin's first album reached number 10 on the charts in 1969, and their popularity continued to grow with each subsequent album. But they were among the most hedonistic of all rock bands, and their indulgences led to a series of tragedies that ultimately broke up the band. However, they rank second only to The Beatles in sales.

QUEEN

Queen was a British rock band formed in London in 1970. The members are Freddie Mercury, Brian May, John Deacon and Roger Taylor. Its works were influenced by progressive rock, hard rock and heavy metal but after they incorporate diverse styles into music.

Queen was characterized by their reputation of having extravagant live performances and studio albums full with unique sounds.

The band have released a total of 18 number one albums, 18 number one singles, and 10 number one DVDs. Their most famous works are "Bohemian Rhapsody" that was voted "the UK's favourite hit of all time" and was inducted into de Grammy Hall of Fame. And in 2006, the album "Greatest hits" was the all time best selling album in UK Chart History with more than 5 million copies.

ELTON JOHN

Sir Elton Hercules John is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor who has worked with lyricist Bernie Taupin since 1967, and with Taupin have collaborated on more than 30 albums to date.

John is consideres as one of the best-selling music artists in the world. His single "Candle in the Wind 1997" is the best selling single in the history of the UK Singles Chart and the US Billboard Hot 100. He has received a total of 14 awards in 2004, And in the same year, the Rolling Stone magazine ranked him number 49 on its list of 100 influential musicians of the rock and roll era.

John was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994. Having been named a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1996, John received a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II for "services to music and charitable services" in 1998.

THE BEE GEES

The Bee Gees were a British musical group founded in 1958 and formed by the brothers Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb. The Bee Gees were successful in their decade because of having two distinct periods of success: As a Rock band in the last 1960s and early 1970s, and as disco music band in the late 1970s. 

The Bee Gees' career record sales total more than 220 million ranking them among the best-selling music artists of all time. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997, also they received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the American Music Awards and the A Legend Award at the World Music Award. The Bee Gees' Hall of Fame citation says "Only Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Michael Jackson, Garth Brooks and Paul McCartney have outsold the Bee Gees."

THE BEATLES

No band has influenced pop culture the way the Beatles have. They were one of the most influential act of the rock era in the twentieth century.

The Beatles were an English rock band formed in 1960. Its members are John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. The Beatles utilized several genres ranging from pop ballads to psychedelic rock, often they incorporate classical elements and not only this, they wrote their own songs. 

The Beatles, according to the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America),is the best selling band in the United States and they have had more number-one albums on the British chartse, also they sold more singles in the UK than any other act. They received 23 awards including 7 Grammy Awards, an Academy Award and 15 Ivor Novello Award and multiple recognitions for their career.

PINK FLOYD

Pink Floyd is also one of the most influential bands all times recognized for their psychedelic and space rock music, and in the 1970s, as they evolved, for their progressive rock music. Pink Floyd's work is marked by philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album cover art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd has sold over 200 million albums worldwide, including 74.5 million certified units in the United States.

Pink Floyd was formed in 1965 and the members are Nick Mason, Roger Waters, Richard Wright and Bob Klose, however Klose left shortly after.

"The Wall" is the most famous work worldwide of Pink Floyd. The Wall is a concept album and deals largely with themes of abandonment and personal isolation.and reached the number 87 on its list of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

Art movements: 

Surrealism

Is a cultural movement that began in the early 1920s, and is best known for its visual artworks and writings. The aim was to "resolve the previously contradictory conditions of dream and reality." Artists painted unnerving, illogical scenes with photographic precision, created strange creatures from everyday objects and developed painting techniques that allowed the unconscious to express itself.

Surrealist works feature the element of surprise, unexpected juxtapositions and non sequitur; however, many Surrealist artists and writers regard their work as an expression of the philosophical movement first and foremost, with the works being an artifact. Leader André Breton was explicit in his assertion that Surrealism was above all a revolutionary movement.


Leonora Carrington

Carrington was born in Clayton Green, South Lancaster, Lancashire, England. Places she lived as a child included a house called Crooksey Hall. Educated by governesses, tutors and nuns, she was expelled from two schools for her rebellious behaviour until her family sent her to Florence where she attended Mrs. Penrose's Academy of Art. Her father was opposed to an artist's career for her, but her mother encouraged her. She returned to England and was presented at Court, but according to her, she brought a book to read by Aldous Huxley Eyeless in Gaza (1936), instead. In London she attended the Chelsea School of Art and joined the Academy of Amédée Ozenfant.

The guardian of the egg

The Ancestor

  

                                                        

  L. S. Lowry

Laurence Stephen Lowry (1 November 1887 – 23 February 1976) was an English artist born in Stretford, Lancashire. Many of his drawings and paintings depict Pendlebury, where he lived and worked for over 40 years, and Salford and its surrounding areas.

Lowry is famous for painting scenes of life in the industrial districts of North West England in the mid-20th century. He developed a distinctive style of painting and is best known for urban landscapes peopled with human figures often referred to as "matchstick men". He also painted mysterious unpopulated landscapes, brooding portraits, and the unpublished "marionette" works, which were only found after his death.

A large collection of Lowry's work is on permanent public display in a purpose-built art gallery on Salford Quays named the Lowry. Lowry rejected five honours during his life.

                                                                                    

L. S. Lowry's painting of Huddersfield in 1965. 

Portrait of Ann (1957)

Paul Nash

(11 May 1889 – 11 July 1946) He was a British surrealist painter and war artist, as well as a book-illustrator, writer and designer of applied art. Nash had his first one-man show, of ink and wash drawings, at the Carfax Gallery in 1912. The following year he shared an exhibition at the Dorien Leigh Gallery with his brother, John Nash. 

During World War II Nash was employed as an official war artist, this time by the Ministry of Information and the Air Ministry, and paintings he produced during this period include the Battle of Britain and Totes Meer (Dead Sea).

In his final years, he returned to the influence of Blake that had so affected his early art, for example in the series of gigantic sunflowers including Sunflower and Sun (1942), Solstice of the Sunflower (1945) and Eclipse of the Sunflower (1945) based on Blake's poem "Ah! Sun-flower"

 Totes Meer (Dead Sea)

            Eclipse of the Sunflower