ENAM0201A-F15
British Lit. and Culture I
The Poetics of Entertainment
British Literature and Culture: The Poetics of Entertainment
"Entertain" now means "amuse" or "divert," but long ago it could mean, more seriously, "hold together" in community. We will explore poetic "entertainment" as it evolved in the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Recurring themes will include hospitality, gift-exchange, love, marriage, festival, politics, and friendship, all involving gender, class, and nationality. Our topic will also entail exploring what has made works canonical and the contribution of the canon to our own sense of community. Texts may include Beowulf, Gawain and the Green Knight, mystery and morality plays, and works by Marie de France, Chretien, Chaucer, Wyatt, Spenser, Shakespeare, and Milton. 3 hrs. lect.
"Entertain" now means "amuse" or "divert," but long ago it could mean, more seriously, "hold together" in community. We will explore poetic "entertainment" as it evolved in the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Recurring themes will include hospitality, gift-exchange, love, marriage, festival, politics, and friendship, all involving gender, class, and nationality. Our topic will also entail exploring what has made works canonical and the contribution of the canon to our own sense of community. Texts may include Beowulf, Gawain and the Green Knight, mystery and morality plays, and works by Marie de France, Chretien, Chaucer, Wyatt, Spenser, Shakespeare, and Milton. 3 hrs. lect.
- Term:
- Fall 2015
- Location:
- Axinn Center 229(AXN 229)
- Schedule:
- 8:40am-9:55am on Monday, Wednesday (Sep 16, 2015 to Dec 11, 2015)
- Type:
- Lecture
- Instructors:
- James Berg
- Subject:
- English & American Literatures
- Department:
- English & American Literatures
- Division:
- Literature
- Requirements Fulfilled:
- EUR LIT
- Levels:
- Undergraduate
- Availability:
- View availability, prerequisites, and other requirements.
- Course Reference Number (CRN):
- 90997
- Subject Code:
- ENAM
- Course Number:
- 0201
- Section Identifier:
- A