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Medieval Studies
Medieval Literature: Romance to Realism [Autumn & Spring]
Medieval Romance developed as a vehicle for the themes of chivalry
and courtly love, the pre-occupations of the medieval European aristocracy.
The Romance texts we look at, including Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
and selections from Malory, all concern themselves with Arthurian material;
we will be placing the Romance ideals they promote in a social and historical
context. In the second half of the course we turn to some Canterbury Tales
to see how Chaucer was able to adapt popular realistic narrative to explore
human motives in a profounder way than had been seen before. The Tales
examine issues which were troubling the 'calamitous' fourteenth century, pose
perennial questions about the human experience, and interrogate the nature of
literature itself. The study trip visits Glastonbury and Wells Cathedral.
Subject areas: Medieval Studies and English
Check with your home institution for specific information
on fulfilment of major/course requirements.
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