ENH2020

Heroes, lovers and monsters: the literary culture of medieval England

(ART)

C Stevenson

6 points + 2.5 hours per week + First semester + Clayton

Synopsis: This subject examines the cultural concerns which form the historical context of Medieval English literature. Important, formative intellectual texts are read in modern English translation and the philosophical and social issues raised in these texts are studied in two key medieval English literary texts, which will be read in editions providing a modern English translation facing the text in its original form. Specific issues examined include: the literary impact of Christianity, medieval cosmology, fate, the importance of the manuscript context, rhetoric, the structures of medieval narrative, love and the significance of generic contexts.

Assessment: Essay (2000 words): 40% + Essay (2000 words): 40% + Seminar assessment (500 words): 20% + An optional examination (3 hours) may replace up to 40% of the written work