The Middle Ages

The course will present a survey of major works of medieval literature from some of the principal literary traditions of the Middle Ages, with an emphasis on epic and on Arthurian romance.  The epics that will be examined are the assonanced Oxford version of the Song of Roland (with an extract from the rhymed Châteauroux/Venice 7 version) and Beowulf, as well as the Old Irish saga of the Táin; the romances are those of Chrétien de Troyes, along with Gottfied von Strassburg’s Tristan, Ulrich von Zatzikhoven’s Lanzelet, and the Middle English Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Included in the survey will be the Arthurian section of Geoffrey of Monmouth’s History of the Kings of Britain, and several of the native tales and romances of the Middle Welsh Mabinogion.  A selection of troubadour lyrics will round out the survey.

All texts will be available in English translation.  Course requirements will include a midterm and a final examination.

Required Texts:

Anon., The Song of Roland

Anon., Beowulf

Anon., The Táin

Anon., The Mabinogion

Anon., Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

Chrétien de Troyes, Erec and Enide

-“- ,  Lancelot or the Knight of the Cart

-“- ,  Perceval or The Story of the Grail

Geoffrey of Monmouth, History of the Kings of Britain

Gottfried von Strassburg, Tristan

Ulrich von Zatzikhoven, Lanzelet

Troubadour Lyrics