PS-Medieval English Literatures: King Arthur in Middle English Texts
Jan-Peer Hartmann
Kommentar
Among the many characters who populated medieval literature, King Arthur is perhaps the one whose popularity never really waned across the centuries and who still features regularly in contemporary works of fiction.
In this class, we will look at the medieval origins of Arthurian literature, with a particular focus on Middle English texts of the later Middle Ages. Although King Arthur was regarded as a historical figure (as he still is in some quarters), he featured in two largely distinct literary traditions: the ‘historical’ tradition based on Geoffrey of Monmouth’s Historia regum Britanniae, which described Arthur as a power-hungry conqueror who eventually came to challenge the power of the Roman Emperor, and the ‘romance tradition’ based on Old French literary models, where Arthur played the part of the jovial, if slightly weak, king presiding over an idealised chivalric society – the knights of the round table – whose claims to earthly perfection are constantly challenged from outside.
We will read excerpts from historiographical Latin works (in modern English translation) as well as a few Middle English texts (in the original Middle English). All of these will be made available on Blackboard. Please make sure to subscribe to the Blackboard course, as all communication will be conducted via that platform.
The course is also designed to introduce students to the writing of term papers, and special emphasis will be placed on the necessary techniques (close reading, literary analysis, coming up with and structuring arguments, researching and using secondary literature). Credit requirements include regular and active participation and a 2,000-word paper to be handed in after the end of the class.
12 Termine
Regelmäßige Termine der Lehrveranstaltung