French Texts and Contexts - The Knight, the Lady, and the King: Arthurian Literature in the Middle Ages

FRT 2460/MEM 2500

Fall 2011

· Dr. William Calin
Graduate Research Professor

· Tuesday Per. 8 and 9, Thursday Per. 9

· Matherly 07

I. Theme of Course

Arthur, Guinevere, Tristan, Isolt, Lancelot, and Perceval are not historical personages. They are literary characters in romances created first by poets in twelfth- and thirteenth-century France. This course will scrutinize the relationship of literature to historical reality (the mind-set of a feudal-aristocratic and classical-Christian culture, knighthood and chivalry, attitudes toward women, etc.) and the nature of literature itself, with special attention to the creation of myth (the Arthurian world is one of the great myths of modern times) and the relevance of such books to the reader of today. Students will learn how to analyze texts in a more sophisticated way, using modern critical approaches.

II. Student Work & Expectations

Students are expected to keep up with reading assignments and to participate actively in class discussion. One long paper or two mid-length papers will be required. No exams.

III. Texts

· The Lais of Marie de France. Labyrinth Press.

· Beroul. Romance of Tristan. Penguin.

· Thomas of Britain. Tristan. TIS/UBS Packet.

· Chrétien de Troyes. Lancelot. Yale.

· Chrétien de Troyes. Yvain. Yale.

· The Quest of the Holy Grail. Penguin.

· The Death of King Arthur. Penguin.

· Renard the Fox. U. Cal.

IV. Calendar

August

· 23 Introduction
28 Marie de France
30 Marie

September

· 4 Marie

· 6 Marie

· 11 Beroul

· 13 Beroul

· 18 Beroul

· 20 Beroul and Thomas of Britain

· 25 Thomas

· 27 Thomas

October

· 2 Thomas

· 4 Lancelot

· 9 Lancelot

· 11 Lancelot

· 16 Yvain

· 18 Reading Period

· 23 Yvain

· 25 Yvain

· 30 Yvain

November

· 1 Quest of the Grail

· 6 Quest

· 8 Quest and Death of King Arthur

· 13 Death

· 15 Death

· 20 Death

· 22 Secular Holiday

· 27 Renard the Fox

· 29 Renard the Fox

December

· 4 Conclusion

V. Contact Information

· Office: 236 Dauer Hall

· Office Hours: Monday and Wednesday Per. 8

· Office Phone: 392-2016 x 238

· Home Phone: 373-3739

· Courriel: wcalin@ufl.edu