Classics Retold

The Pleiads also known as Seven Sisters or Messier 45 (M45) is a prominent open star cluster in the Constellation Taurus located at 444 light-years from Earth.  It is one of the nearest star clusters to Earth and is visible to the naked eye as a tiny, blue-tinted misty dipper of stars It contains over 1000 stars, though only six to seven are visible to the naked eye. It is a young cluster consisting of hot B type stars formed within the last few million years.  In Greek mythology Seven Sisters were the seven daughters of the Titan Atlas and the sea nymph Pleione. Pursued by hunter Orion Zeus transformed them into stars to protect them. 

Hazel copse is a traditional woodland area where hazel trees are cut near ground level on a 7 to 15 years rotation, encouraging vigorous regrowth for sustainable timber, fencing and garden material.  This ancient method, called coppicing  produces straight flexible poles ideal for hurdle making, thatch spars, and plant supports while promoting biodiversity. A forest or grove that has been subject to coppicing is called copse. Hazel is often grown as an understorey beneath larger Oak or ash trees. They are cut in winter because it reduces decay in poles. Known for producing flexible wands hazel is used for wattle and hurdles for fencing, beanpoles and walking sticks.  Mass cutting allows light to reach the woodland floors, benefitting wild flowers and dormice.  Similar process is carried out at a higher level is called pollarding. This is done to prevent grazing animals from eating new shoots.  Dormice:  Small nocturnal Old World rodents known for their long...

Plural of penumbra. The lighter outer regions of a shadow where the light source is only partially obscured, surrounding the darker central umbra. The word is commonly used in astronomy. In art it is rarely used as blending of light and shade. It is the play of light and shade. Synonyms: Partial shadow, fringe region, shades region.  Derived from Latin paene (almost) and umbra (shadow)

On the turn-pike road, between Casterbridge and Weatherbury, there was a long steep ascent. In returning from market it is usual for the farmers and other gig users to alight at the bottom and walk up.  The month of October. A Saturday evening.  Bathsheba's vehicle was creeping up the ascent. She was sitting listlessly in the second seat, while sergeant Troy was walking beside the gig in a farmer's marketing suit of unusually fashionable cut.  Though on foot he held the reins and whip, and occasionally aimed light cuts at the horse's ear with the end of lash as a pastime.  Sergeant Troy had  bought his discharge with Bathsheba's money, and was transforming himself to a farmer of spirited and very modern school.  People still called him sergeant and he retained his well shaped moustache of his military days. "Yes, if it hadn't been for that wretched rain I should have cleared two hundred as easy as looking, my love," he was saying. "Don't you see,...

Haeuteur is a formal noun referring to display of arrogance, superiority, or overbearing pride.  It describes an unfriendly, distant manner where someone acts as though they are better than others, often associated with a sense of entitlement or snobbishness.  It is often used to criticize cold or condescending behaviour.  The word stems from the French word haut meaning high or high in one's own estimation.  Synonyms: Arrogance, superiority, disdain, conceit, snobbishness.  Antonyms: Humility, modesty.

The perception that people of England prior to Industrial Revolution often stems from the historical conflict between traditional agrarian lifestyle and the emerging modern work ethic.  Before Industrial Revolution life followed natural cycles rather than clock.  Farming involved intensive labour in times of ploughing, sowing seeds and during harvest, followed by long periods of low activity. It was common for work folks to take Mondays off - a tradition known as Saint Monday - to recover from Sunday drinking, creating a three-day weekend.  Philosophers like David Hume noted that without cheap luxury goods to buy people had no reason to work beyond what they need to survive, naturally falling into a habit of indolence.  Leisure was primary status symbol of aristocracy and emerging middle class.  The aristocracy lived on rents and fortunes. They indulged in scandals, gossips, and social intrigue.  From the 17th century coffee houses became hubs where busines...

Vapid is something or someone that is dull, uninspiring, tedious or lacking intelligence, spirit, and flavour.  It is commonly used to describe boring conversation, lifeless art, or shallow personalities.  Synonyms: Dull, insipid, flat, boring, tiresome, lifeless.  Antonyms: Lively, interesting, stimulating, spirited, sharp, pungent.  It came from the Latin word vapidus, which originally described drinks that had become stale or tasteless.