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This course, LTEN 21, explores over 800 years of literary history, focusing on key periods such as Anglo-Saxon, Middle, and Early Modern literature. We will analyze the epic poem "Beowulf" through its historical context and literary significance, discussing topics such as the literary canon, its controversies, and adaptations. Students will engage with the material through assignments that challenge them to interpret literary scenes cinematically. For further resources, please visit our course website.
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Introduction to LTEN 21 • Ways to think about over 800 years of literary history • How to deal with so many centuries of literary history: course mechanics • Why read this stuff? Or, The Canon and Its Discontents • Beowulf
Course website • http://www.medievallit.org/ • Change: Holiday on Nov. 11. Corrections on website • Friday section by arrangement • Slides for lecture will be posted linked to their date in syllabus. I will post for the week over the weekend
I. Ways to think about over 800 years of literary history • Linguistic Divisions • Anglo-Saxon or Old English • Middle English • “Modern English”
I. Ways to think about over 800 years of literary history • Literary Divisions • Anglo-Saxon or Old English Literature • Middle English Literature • The Early Modern Period, aka The Renaissance
3. The Early Modern Period, aka The Renaissance a. The Elizabethan Age: reign of Elizabeth I (1558-1603) b. Jacobean Age: Reign of James I (1603-25) c. Caroline Age: Charles I (1625-49) d. Commonwealth period (1649-1660)
II. How to deal with so many centuries of literary history: course mechanics • See Syllabus • Accomodation • Email notification
III. Why read this stuff? Or, The Canon and Its Discontents • What is “the canon”? • Why is it controversial?
IV. Beowulf • Why the Alexander translation? • The Beowulf Manuscript—Cotton Vitellius A.xv (handout)
Some questions to consider about Beowulf for next week’s lectures • How many major parts are there to Beowulf? • Where do you see the poem breaking into major movements or episodes? • What elements characterize the poem’s style? • How is metaphor used? • How is “the hero” defined in Beowulf?
Thinksheet One for LTEN 21 • Due at the beginning of your section during week one. • Pick one of the following scenes in Beowulf. • In two paragraphs describe how you would adapt these lines to a film version: • In one paragraph describe how you would film this moment in the text in a screen adaptation. • Then, in the next paragraph, explain what element of the text (mood, character, imagery or theme, for example) that your decisions as a director are meant to convey. This assignment should be no longer than one single-spaced typed page. • Scenes: • Lines 229-257 • Lines 1278-1308. • Lines 3147-3152 • Please note, casting Angelina Jolie in your version will very likely lower your grade!!!!!
Names, places and terms, dates to know for Beowulf • (Don’t forget the helpful appendix pages in your penguin paperback.) • Beowulf the Geat, son of Edgetheow • Hrothgar • Grendel • Scyld Shefing • Grendel’s Mother • Unferth • Dragon • Wealhtheow • Wiglaf • Cain and Abel • Hygelac • Heremod • Danes and Geats • Heorot • Lay of Finn (Fight at Finnsburg–story of Hildeburgh) • oral-formulaic poetry; kenning; caesura; alliteration
The experience of Beowulf • Beowulf tape—Grendel’s attack • Benjamin Bagby (1:08)
