Module Information

This module offers a survey of late medieval literature that challenges the assumption that texts from this period is much more simple and straightforward than modern literature. Over the course of this module, medieval texts will be examined as products of a culture that values experimentation, playfulness and speculation, highlighting the ways in which medieval texts and their world are exciting areas of literary study today.
The three sections of the module deal with traditions and interpretations, religious experience, and experimentation with genre. These interconnected areas serve to highlight the ways in which late medieval English culture is part of a wider network of European religious and secular frameworks,
The module is accessible to anyone with an interest in late medieval literature and current, theoretically-informed approaches to literary texts will be used to explore the relevance of these centuries-old texts in and for our post-millennial society.

Session 1: Introduction (discussing sample extracts from module texts and various co-texts)
Session 2: Chaucer ‘Wife of Bath’s Prologue’ and ‘Tale’
Session 3: The Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnelle
Session 4: Workshop
Session 5: Margery Kempe
Session 6: Chaucer ‘Prioress’s Prologue’ and ‘Tale’ Croxton Play of the Sacrament
Session 7: Workshop
Session 8: Breton Lais
Session 9: Chaucer ‘Franklin’s Prologue’ and ‘Tale’
Session 10: Workshop