English 319BD - The Renaissance: 'Renaissance Bodies, Sex, and Gender'

Through an examination of poetry, drama, prose, and a selection of the visual arts, this class will analyze representations of bodies in the Renaissance. We will ask: how are bodies and desires portrayed in early modern texts? How is deviance either censured or celebrated? How did literary traditions like the blazon, the epic, and transvestism on the stage contribute to the construction of gender in the period? Assignments will center on original research about bodies that include, but are not limited to, sexuality, race, gender, social class, or disability. The final portion of the semester will look at responses to Renaissance authors in the twenty-first century through genres such as the graphic novel, film, and the visual arts.

Course limited to sophomores, juniors and seniors; Prereq: 8 credits in English.