the london renaissance seminar
The London Renaissance Seminar is usually held thrice a year, with 3-4 speakers giving papers on the week's chosen subject of the early modern period, for instance, 'The City'. Though these topics may not show any direct relation to your work, you never know what you can learn, and in a sense, they draw some connections anyways. Dr Ian Archer's talk about the Londoners' collective historical consciousness, specifically the demonising strategies in the treatment of mobs, and the appeal of romance to allow Londoners to participate in a honor culture make me think about Brome's city comedies. However, in the conference room, you always know who you will see again. It's the usual 'old' faces who attend these seminars. Doing research can be a lonesome career, therefore in this room one expects to meet someone who is working on something similar to one's own studies. Saying that you are interested in Caroline drama will not turn into a conversation killer. Last Saturday, another oriental person showed up. At the end of Q&A, he asked a question but stated in the beginning, 'I'm from Japan; sorry for my broken English'. I thought the question he asked was quite interesting and admired his courage, yet there's no need for him to apologise.