20th March 2025 10.45am repeated 2.15pm at The Henley Rugby Club. Live transmission 10.45am only. For more information on all lectures please contact Sarah Barry on SarahBarry63@yahoo.co.uk or 07879 611782.
Mary Sharp
Review of the lecture by Professor Gurney
Mary Sharp gave us a very interesting and thought-provoking lecture on the legend of Prometheus and its interpretation down to the present day. Prometheus was a Titan (one of the fathers of the Gods) who, according to Greek legend, created the human race and then famously incurred the wrath of Zeus by stealing fire from the gods to preserve to give it to humans so that they might live. The punishment that Zeus devised was both cruel and ingenious. Mary retold the story, explored the remarkable parallels with Adam and Eve and traced its influence from Rubens to Henry Moore and Francis Bacon and from Shakespeare, through Frankenstein and Great Expectations to the Alien movies. Artists such as Rubens drew explicit parallels between Prometheus and the crucifixion. Others used the Prometheus story to explore and illustrate hubris and how what is considered hubris has changed over the centuries. Mary also reflected on what the story and its interpretation reveals about our changing attit udes to religious belief through the ages. Mary both kept everyone's interest and provoked an illuminating discussion after both morning and afternoon lectures.
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Synopsis:
This is the story of Prometheus and how his plight has captivated and influenced writers and artists over the years. Prometheus was a Titan (one of the fathers of the Gods) who, according to Greek legend, created the human race and then famously incurred the wrath of Zeus by stealing fire from the gods to preserve it. The punishment that Zeus devised was both cruel and ingenious.
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This lecture goes back to original sources to re-tell the story, explore the remarkable parallels with Adam and Eve and trace its influence from Reubens to Henry Moore and from Frankenstein, through Great Expectations to the Alien movies. Mary will explore our enduring interest in the ideas that thread their way through the numerous adaptations and reflect on what they reveal about our changing attitudes to religious belief.
Mary is an experienced broadcaster and teacher with particular expertise in literature and drama. She worked for many years for BBC Radio 4 producing some of its most popular programmes including Start the Week and Woman’s Hour before joining the senior management team as a Commissioning Editor. Mary has subsequently worked as a teacher and Director of Sixth Form at Dr Challoner's High School. She now runs her own company 'Opening Up Literature' which offers literature courses for adults including studies of Shakespeare and Creative Writing. Her most popular course is 'Telling Tales' which explores how writers and artists have reinvented classical stories. She is also a professional bridge teacher and lecturer.
