Survey of British Literature (1)

The goal of this course is to survey the literary culture of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance in England, emphasizing the historical and cultural context out of which different literary genres and movements appeared. The characteristics of major writers and works are presented. Students are introduced to certain literary theories and critical methods that can be applied in the analysis of the works. Attention is also paid to the distinction between high and popular literature, as well as to the role of women writers. Students learn to plan and write a short academic analysis of a literary work according to formal requirements.

To get acquainted with the history of medieval and Renaissance English literature; to develop the skills of academic literary analysis.

Good knowledge of English.

1. Anglo-Saxon literature: religious poetry; epic poem Beowulf. 2. Geoffrey. Chaucer’s writing, The Canterbury Tales. 3. Medieval religious drama. 4. Margery Kempe’s autobiographical texts. 5. Thomas Malory’s version of the Arthurian legend. 6. The ballad. 7. The beginning of the Renaissance in England. The cult of the monarch (Edward Spenser’s writing). 8. The development of English theatre in 16 cent. William Shakespeare’s tragedy Romeo and Juliet 9. Petrarchan influence on the sonnet cycle. 10. Women’s writing during the English Renaissance. 11. 17cent. Political and religious conflicts and their impact on culture. 12. 17cent. Metaphysical poetry XVII a. (John Donne, George Herbert).

1. The influence of the historical context on major medieval and Renaissance English writers and their work is identified and described. 2. The main thematic and stylistic features of major medieval and Renaissance English literary texts are identified and described. 3. A written literary analysis is prepared, following the requirements for an academic essay.