Legends of King Arthur (I) (Pre-1800)
In this course we will explore the development of Arthurian legend in medieval Britain up to the 15th century. Analyzing a range of primary materials, from cryptic fragments to polished masterpieces, we will trace early representations of Arthur’s kingship; the adventures of knights such as Lancelot and Gawain; and the politics of magic, forbidden love, and treason. How did Arthurian legend emerge from the matrix of historical fact, folklore, and imaginative fiction? What accounts for its cultural appeal as a means of defining the present by appropriating the past? Readings in modern English translation will convey the diverse linguistic traditions of medieval Britain as enriched by continental literary forms.