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  5. Medieval English Literature

Medieval English Literature

Objectives

  •  To provide students with a general outline of English medieval literature until the end of the 14th century, focusing on some major literary texts and works;
  •  To introduce students to the literary identity of a country in constant interaction with mainland Europe;
  •  To help students put into practice the information provided, by applying it, as critically and independently as possible, to their topics, thereby enhancing their research, analytical and interpretative skills.

General characterization

Code

01107037

Credits

6.0

Responsible teacher

Jéssica Iolanda Costa Bispo

Hours

Weekly - 4

Total - 168

Teaching language

Portuguese

Prerequisites

N/A

Bibliography

I – ALEXANDER, Michael, trad. (1984), Beowulf. Harmondsworth: Penguin Books Ltd., “Penguin Classics”.
…………………………………. (1982), The Earliest English Poems. Harmondsworth: Penguin Books Ltd., “PenguinClassics”.
KENNEDY, Charles, ed./trad. (1960), An Anthology of Old English Poetry. New York: Oxford University Press.
STONE, Brian trad. (1986), Medieval English Verse. Harmondsworth: Penguin Books Ltd., "Penguin Classics".
TREHARNE, Elaine, ed (2000), Old and Middle English: an Anthology. Oxford: Blackwell Publishers Ltd., “BlackwellAnthologies”.
II – STONE, Brian, ed./trad. (1982), Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Harmondsworth: Penguin Books Ltd., “PenguinClassics”.
III – CHAUCER, Geoffrey (1982), The Canterbury Tales. Ed./trad. Nevill Coghill. Harmondsworth: Penguin Books Ltd., “Penguin Classics”.

Obs: Poderão ser utilizadas edições mais recentes dos textos primários.

Teaching method

Apart from the lectures, leaving aside, at the end of each class, a short period for comments and debate, suggestions for further reading will be made available, together with the regular monitoring of the students´ researches.

Evaluation method

Continuous assessment - A final essay (max. 12 pages, A4)(100%)

Subject matter

I - Anglo-Saxon literature (7th-11th centuries):

I.1. Introduction;

I.2. Religious texts;

I.3. Secular texts.

II - Anglo-French literature (11th-13th centuries):

II.1. Introduction;

II.2. The "Matter of Britain";

II.3. The "Matter of England".

III - Towards (an) English literature (14th century):

III.1. Introduction;

III.2. Religious texts;

III.3. Secular texts;

III.4. The alliterative revival;

III.5. Geoffrey Chaucer.