This course provides an introduction to the foundations of literary writing in England from the early Middle Ages to the beginning of the seventeenth century, with a particular focus on four representative authors: Marie de France, Geoffrey Chaucer, William Shakespeare, and John Donne. We will situate each work in its cultural and historical context, as well as discuss whether and how these poems and plays, although written many centuries ago, may still be relevant today, especially concerning issues of gender, colonialism, race, political authority, and religion. As we journey across this long historical period, we will pay close attention to innovations in literary technique and explore how these shaped those qualities we call "voice" and "style."
5 units · Letter or Credit/No Credit
This course provides an introduction to the foundations of literary writing in England from the early Middle Ages to the beginning of the seventeenth century, with a particular focus on four representative authors: Marie de France, Geoffrey Chaucer, William Shakespeare, and John Donne. We will situate each work in its cultural and historical context, as well as discuss whether and how these poems and plays, although written many centuries ago, may still be relevant today, especially concerning issues of gender, colonialism, race, political authority, and religion. As we journey across this long historical period, we will pay close attention to innovations in literary technique and explore how these shaped those qualities we call "voice" and "style."