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ENGL 343 |
Old English Literature (3 credits) |
| Instructor: Gernot Wieland |
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The best-known and most-read work of Old English literature without doubt is Beowulf , and this Old English epic will be the central text for this course. Topics to be examined include the nature of the hero, the pagan/Christian dichotomy, the role of women, orality and literacy, the Other as monster, re-composing and appropriating earlier tales, et al. Before we begin study of the poem proper, we shall briefly acquaint ourselves with some Anglo-Saxon elegiac literature (e.g. The Wanderer, The Seafarer) and with some battle poetry (e.g. The Battle of Maldon, The Battle of Brunanburh) since both elegiac and martial motifs are woven together in the epic. If time allows, we will also view some of the recent Beowulf movies. Text: Beowulf, translated by Alan Sullivan and Timothy Murphy, ed. by Sarah Anderson (Pearson/Longman: New York, 2004). Grade distribution:
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