Would you please help and share in my continuing exploration of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's incredibly imaginative and creative story The Green Snake and The Beautiful Lily.
If you like stories and poetry, exploring and understanding their meaning, getting in touch with your voice and enjoying the sounds of words, you would enjoy this. The story helps us make sense of opportunities and dilemmas in life.
It was written by Goethe in 1795 at a time when there was civil unrest in Europe. It has a wealth of very creative prose about characters and the imaginative world in which they live. The story is Goethe's artistic response to challenges for individuals who endeavour to create better, more just societies.
I have posted instalments of my reading this Tale on this Blog - 14 so far - with 4 more to come. I use the translation by Thomas Carlyle. The complete text can be found on the Net.
I am experiencing the best way to explore this work is with others, collectively, to be the characters, speak their speeches, following how they develop in courage, integrity and skill as the story unfolds.
To encourage others to join me in this exploration I offer free workshops and talks. In the workshops I describe the characters and invite participants to choose one or two to explore by putting themselves in their position in the story. I have divided the story into short scenes. These help experience being a character, interacting with others, for a short while. I bring props and colour paintings to help portray the characters and scenes.
Workshop participants have said how they appreciate the rare opportunity to explore, imagine and live the characters in this Tale and that this gives the occasions a "living quality." One participant said, "The occasion was a fountain of inspiration that never ceases to yield fruit."
Giving short Talks I introduce the story, context in which it was written, key characters, what they say and essence of commentaries upon the work. Knowledge of the Tale is not necessary.
I carry learning from these workshops and talks into future events to help build collective insights into this incredible piece of world literature.
To inquire further, ask for a workshop or talk, please e-mail me on robinlivingspeech@gmail.com
Thank you for helping.
Robin Blackmore
