Literature, Poetry, and Drama   

The trap of the Trojan Horse has been sprung. The Greeks have finally taken the city of Troy and slain all the men. But what will be the fate of its women? In The Trojan Women Euripides gives us an anti-war play through the fates of these women, young and old, high-born and lowly. After a brief introduction, we will read this powerful play aloud. At the end, we will discuss our reactions to it, and consider how relevant it may be to our own time. Text: Euripides, The Trojan Women, Dover Thrift Edition (translated by Paul Streufert). It is essential that we all read from the same version of the play.

Marilyn Scott has a background in Classical Studies and Ancient Theater and has led numerous OLLI study groups.

This course will look at Shakespeare’s Hamlet as it reflects the life of its author, Edward de Vere, the 17th Earl of Oxford. The play is deeply autobiographical, paralleling events and people in Oxford’s life, offering even richer meanings to this most emotional work. We’ll read the text closely, with volunteer student readers, and refer to noted scholars for illumination. A clear look at a true masterpiece.

After performing and teaching Shakespeare for more than thirty years while harboring nagging questions about the traditional Stratford authorship claim, about three years ago Michele Roberge decided to research the question for herself. (Retirement is a delicious thing!) With much recently-discovered historical evidence and committed scholarship primarily outside academia, she became convinced that William Shakespeare is a pseudonym for Edward de Vere and his Elizabethan scriptorium. She holds a BA in English Lit/Speech and Drama from St. Mary’s College and an MA in Theatre from the University of Michigan (Trueblood Fellow).

This study group will explore the symbolism of the “journey into the woods” from its roots in classic fairy tales to Shakespeare’s masterful use of the motif in his comedies “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “As You Like It.” After viewing the Shakespeare plays outside of class, we’ll read and critique key scenes together. We’ll conclude by watching Stephen Sondheim’s musical interpretation, “Into The Woods,” in which he intertwines multiple fairy tale plots and explores what happens after “happily ever after.” Any text of the plays will do, but the Folger Shakespeare Library editions have an excellent introduction and helpful notes.

Marilyn Scott has a background in Classical Studies and Ancient Theater and has led numerous OLLI study groups.

Join us to read and reflect on the beautiful, mystical poetry of Rumi—poems that speak to the soul and invite a deeper understanding of love, unity, and spirituality. Whether you are a lifelong lover of poetry or new to it, this group offers a welcoming space for discussion and exploration. We'll dive into the works of Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Rūmī, the 13th-century Persian poet whose transformative encounter with the wandering dervish Shams of Tabriz shaped his path as a Sufi mystic. Through reading and discussion, we’ll explore how Rumi’s timeless words continue to resonate in our divided world, offering inspiration, peace, and connection.

Soheyla Marzban is a mother of two adult children, speaks three languages, and has an educational background is in nursing. She finds philosophy interesting and that is why she chose to start a Rumi club in 2020 at the Ann Arbor City Club.

Focusing the investigation of why Italy so influenced Shakespeare in his writing, this study group will interrogate Shakespeare’s Rome. After briefly reviewing previous discoveries, we will do a cursory study of The Rape of Lucrece and Titus Andronicus to establish the atmosphere of the Roman Empire. We will analyze Julius Caesar, Antony and Cleopatra, and Coriolanus. From this study group, we should all increase our understanding of Shakespeare’s Rome. Please join us for a journey to an earlier time.

Retired collegiate instructor Robert Lamphear now focuses on teaching lifelong learning Shakespeare courses for OLLI at the University of Michigan, the University of South Florida and Gulf Coast State College.

Together we will explore the intersection of poetry and song. While they are clearly different artistic expressions, songs and poems share the attribute of using words to communicate place, to express emotions and to tell stories. After exploring some of the characteristics of poems and songs, we will engage in a close reading of popular songs selected by the instructors and suggested by members of the class. We will seek to reveal the poetry of these songs. We will also listen to performances to evaluate how our reading of the lyrics enhances our enjoyment of the songs and how performance enhances the poetry of song lyrics.

Richard Garrett has been an OLLI member since 2020. He has led several discussion groups dealing with public affairs, the intersection of science and society, and the history of the black working class. Prior to moving to Ann Arbor, Richard taught economics at Marymount Manhattan College and was a consultant to labor unions on corporate campaigns. A long-time fan of popular music, he became interested in poetry during the pandemic. Tom Lerchen is a retired salesman who has been a member of OLLI for six years. He has a lifelong love of popular music and believes music plus lyrics can convey beauty and introspection. “I like beautiful melodies telling me terrible things.” ― Tom Waits

We’ll read stories selected from three collections: Your Duck is My Duck, the title story from Twilight of the Superheroes, and Under the 82nd Airborne. Eisenberg is witty, urbane, often hilarious, stories always situated in modern day problems. Class will be discussion. Participants will be required to bring a laptop/device to each session.

Sharon Quiroz has a Ph.D. in English and has taught many OLLI classes.