WiSe 21/22: PS-Medieval English Literatures: Encountering the Past (in Medieval British Literature / in Middle English Texts)
Jan-Peer Hartmann
Comments
According to the archaeologist and literary scholar John Hines, “the curation, interpretation, and active use of material remains … is a near-constant feature” of human societies, past and present. Such an interest in the material remnants of the past can be encountered also in medieval literary texts – which is not to say that these texts should be seen as direct reflections of contemporary practices. Rather, we will see, the depiction of material remains allows texts to explore different ways of imagining time, history, and the transmission of knowledge. In this class we will read and discuss a number of Middle English texts, including Osbern Bokenham’s Life of St. Margaret and the anonymous St. Erkenwald, as well as a number of Latin texts (in translation), all of which discuss material remains from the past in the context of constructing ideas of time and history.
Students should bring to this class a basic interest in medieval literature and a general open-mindedness to unfamiliar linguistic and literary forms and conventions. The final mark will be based on active and regular participation and a final essay of 2,000 words, to be handed in by the end of the semester. Please make sure to enroll in the Blackboard course, ideally before the start of the term.
close16 Class schedule
Regular appointments