Literature of the Medieval and Renaissance Worlds

Full-year course. Journey through the literary masterpieces from the Anglo-Saxon poem Beowulf to the Elizabethan era of the sixteenth century. Engage with timeless works exploring chivalric romance, the profound nature of love, and the distinctions between tragedy and comedy in both structure and effect. This course provides a comprehensive study of medieval and Renaissance texts, examining the societal and historical backgrounds that shaped these works. Key texts include Beowulf, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Dante’s The Divine Comedy, and Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales, among others. Following classical education methods, students will enhance critical thinking and literary analysis skills while exploring significant themes and narratives. 

Course highlights include:

• Comparative analysis of chivalric romance and its varied representations across Medieval and Renaissance literature.
• Discussions on the transformative power of love and its symbolic portrayal in literature.
• Special emphasis on the unique worldview and perspective of Medieval and Renaissance writers.
• Exploration of symbolism and allegory development throughout the course.
• Comparison of different genres, including epic, romance, tragedy, and comedy.

Students will engage in a variety of assignments designed to deepen their understanding and analytical skills, including weekly quizzes or summaries to ensure comprehension, short response papers to react to readings, and midterm and final papers for in-depth exploration of literary techniques and meanings.