This course brings together the greatest poet of the Catholic Middle Ages in England (Langland) with an extraordinarily inventive writer of wide scope (the anonymous Pearl Poet, so-called after one of his poems). The course is committed to the close reading of some extremely complex poetry. We will be exploring the ways in which the poets explore both their own late fourteenth century culture and a cluster of perennially demanding theological, ethical and existential issues. Students who enroll for this class should be willing to read some long and demanding poems with care and sustained attention.
You will need to own two volumes : Piers Plowman: the C Version , translated by G. Economou (Pennsylvania U.P.) ; The Complete Works of the Pearl Poet , translated with Middle English Text by C. Finch (California U.P.). Ideally at least some of you may be ready to read Piers Plowman in the Middle English , now available in a very well annotated edition by Derek Pearsall: Piers Plowman, the C-text (University of Exeter Press ).
BEFORE the first seminar you should read Langland's Piers Plowman. Please also read Eamon Duffy, the Stripping of the Altars (Yale paperback , 2nd edition ), part one .
Exams: none
Term papers: two essays (8-10 pages) from which the grade emerges: these essays must be submitted by the given deadline to count. This is a seminar and attendance/participation is mandatory. Unwarranted absences will result in failing the course.
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