ENH2190

Middle English

C Stevenson

8 points
* 3 hours per week
* Second semester
* Clayton
* Prerequisites or corequisites: ENH2020
* Exemption with permission of the head of the department.

Objectives Students taking this subject should develop skills in reading and analysing the language of Middle English at a basic level, with a consequent capacity to read in their original language the literary texts prescribed for study; a broad knowledge of the historical and cultural background of these texts; knowledge and understanding of medieval literary genres and in particular the nature of and conventions used in medieval English drama, lyric poetry and romance.

Synopsis A study of lyric poetry, drama and narrative in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. The literature is read in the original language and discussed in its linguistic and cultural context: the major linguistic features and developments of Middle English will be studied at the beginning of the subject. Chaucer and Malory are studied as the major authors.

Assessment Essay (2500 words): 40%
* Essay (2500 words): 40%
* Seminar assessment (1000 words): 20%
* An optional examination (3 hours) may replace up to 50% of the written work.

Prescribed texts

Chaucer G The Canterbury tales ed. A C Cawley, Everyman, 1958 or
Chaucer G The Canterbury tales The Riverside Chaucer, ed. L Benson, OUP, 1988
Malory The works of Sir Thomas Malory ed. E Vinaver, OUP, 1971
Moore B and others Middle English verse: A selection Monash U, 1985