Sparks And Lustrous Words

"Sparks and Lustrous Words" is a free adaptation of a phrase from Shakespeare's All’s Well That Ends Well. Sparks come from nowhere; they are suddenly there to dispel the darkness and ignite a flame, bringing illumination, Shakespearean insight, Biblical inspiration, warmth and passion – all metaphorical and intertextual associationsthat fit the part. Words are what makes us human. Whether forged in the metal of a printing press or spoken by the teacher, they conjure up seas and stories. They enable us to communicate and connect, to hope and dream, to create.This volume was put together in honour of Professor Guido Latré on the occasion of his retirement. The dozens of contributions it gathers reflect the span of his distinguished teaching and scholarly career, with work on Chaucer, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Tyndale and other Bible translators, Shakespeare, Henry James, the War Poets, T.S. Eliot, Philip Larkin, and many others. Echoing the polyphony of his life and interests, the book offers texts in three languages, including several full-length articles based on original research, as well as shorter, more personal or playful pieces, and much that lies between. The contributions are divided into five sections: Biblical and philological excursions; Shakespearean wanderings; Flanders Fields and other sites of memory; Border crossings; and Moments revisited, futures envisaged. Its excursions into a wide range of periods, languages, nations, genres and styles make the book a fitting tribute to the broad and penetrating vision of a much appreciated friend and colleague, who surely knows how to make words sparkle.