Readings in Early French Medieval Literature / Courtly Love in Medieval France
FRW 4410 / FRW 6938
Fall 2003
- Dr. William Calin
Graduate Research Professor - Monday, Periods 9-11
- CBD 310
I. Theme of Course
Courtly Love in Medieval France
Romantic love, as we know it, is not a universal in the human condition. It is an historical construct that first came into being, in the West, in twelfth-century France. This course will focus on the structures and functioning of the new cultural entity, and on the “romances” in which it flourished. Medieval romance, the dominant narrative genre of the time, predates and leads up to our modern novel. We shall 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 workings of the literature itself. Among the critical approaches to be employed: Freudian, Jungian, Marxist, gender-related, narratology, and intertextuality.
II. Student Work & Expectations
- Students are expected to keep up with reading assignments and to participate actively in class discussion.
- One ten-to-twelve page paper (FRW 4214) or one twelve-to-fifteen page paper (FRW 6346). No exams. No incompletes.
III. Texts
- Marie de France, Lais.
- Beroul + Thomas, Tristan et Iseut.
- Chrétien de Troyes, Chevalier de la Charrette.
- Chrétien de Troyes, Chevalier au Lion.
- Guillaume de Lorris, Roman de la Rose.
- Guillaume de Machaut, Fontaine amoureuse.
IV. Calendar
August
- 25 Introduction
September
- 1 Secular Holiday
- 8 Trouvère Lyrics
- 15 Marie, Lanval, Chevrefoil
- 22 Marie, Yonec, Laüstic
- 29 Beroul, Tristan
October
- 6 Beroul + Thomas, Tristan
- 13 Thomas, Tristan
- 20 Chrétien, Charrette I
- 27 Chrétien, Charrette II
November
- 3 Chrétien, Lion I
- 10 Chrétien, Lion II
- 17 Guillaume, Rose I
- 24 Guillaume, Rose II
December
- 1 Machaut, Fontaine
- 8 Reading Period
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@rll.ufl.edu
