Tutor information
Darren Ormandy
Darren Ormandy has run several courses at Oxford on Shakespeare, Tolkien, and Lewis Carroll. He has tutored on the Oxford Experience, the Oxford University Summer School for Adults, and the Undergraduate Certificate in Literature. He is a former professional actor. His performances on screen include working with the Royal Shakespeare Company and the English Shakespeare Company.
Darren is the Programme Director for Inspiring Oxford.
Courses
This course examines and discusses Tolkien’s great epics of love and sacrifice, evil and betrayal, and beauty and horror. It is suitable for enthusiasts as well as those looking for an introduction to these lesser known but equally remarkable stories.
An appreciation and critical appraisal of what is often called one of the great novels of the twentieth century. This course will look at the concepts, themes, inspirations, and continuing legacy of Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings.
He is the great playwright of the English Renaissance. So why Medieval Shakespeare? This course takes a fresh look at some of Shakespeare’s best-known plays by discussing the influence of the medieval worldview and the rich traditions of medieval drama.
From witches on a blasted heath to magicians on a magical island, magic and the fantastical pervades Shakespeare’s work. This course examines both their dramatic effect, and what they tell us about our human condition.