English 217 - STUDIES IN MEDIEVAL LITERATURE
Spring
2015
01
4.00
Craig Davis
TTh 10:30-11:50
Smith College
40942-S15
SEELYE 310
cradavis@smith.edu
Topics course.
We read myths of the old Celtic gods transmuted into elegant Middle Welsh prose in The Four Branches of the Mabinogi (11th century), as well as the earliest poem about King Arthur-Preiddeu Annwfn "Spoils of the Unworld" (nineth century)-and Culhwch ac Olwen (11th century), the first Arthurian prose tale. We explore the character and career of this obscure Welsh folk hero whose legendary realm captured the imagination of all Europe and became the chief conduit of Celtic social values, including romantic love, into elite European culture, challenging the dominance of Greco-Roman and Judeo-Christian ideals. Prerequisite: ENG 214.
We read myths of the old Celtic gods transmuted into elegant Middle Welsh prose in The Four Branches of the Mabinogi (11th century), as well as the earliest poem about King Arthur-Preiddeu Annwfn "Spoils of the Unworld" (nineth century)-and Culhwch ac Olwen (11th century), the first Arthurian prose tale. We explore the character and career of this obscure Welsh folk hero whose legendary realm captured the imagination of all Europe and became the chief conduit of Celtic social values, including romantic love, into elite European culture, challenging the dominance of Greco-Roman and Judeo-Christian ideals. Prerequisite: ENG 214.
Topic: Archaic British Myth and Legend.