WiSe 13/14: S-Literatures of Medieval Britain II: William Dunbar: Poet and Princepleaser
Regina Scheibe
Kommentar
This course will provide a thorough introduction to the most outstanding poet of the Middle Scots era, William Dunbar. Many of his poems are highly topical, celebrating occasions in the life of the court of James IV of Scotland and frequently abounding in satirical attacks of the glitter of courtly life. He delights in comedy, the grotesque and bawdy, but also reveals a profound interest in philosophical and devotional concerns of his time. Apart from a remarkable versatility of style, technical brilliance, and a virtuosic mastery of the Middle Scots language, his work is characterized by a highly pictorial language. His poems abound in coloured and vivid descriptions, frequently emblematic of the divine or of his own demonic imagination. We will retrace these descriptions to basic concepts current in the Middle Ages and early Renaissance.
Language of instruction: English. Required language level: C1-C2.
His works are available as a TEAMS edition (www.lib.rochester.edu/camelot/teams.htm). References to hard copies and a select bibliography will be provided in the first session.
Assessment: Each week poems will be earmarked for study at home and discussion in class. The final mark will be based on participation in class, a brief presentation, and a 4000-word final essay.
Schließen16 Termine
Regelmäßige Termine der Lehrveranstaltung