Spring 2018

Amor and Metaphor in the Early French Middle Ages

Listed in: French, as FREN-321

Formerly listed as: FREN-21

Faculty

Paul V. Rockwell (Section 01)

Description

The eleventh and twelfth centuries witnessed social, political, and poetic innovations that rival in impact the information revolution of recent decades. Essential to these innovations was the transformation from an oral to a book-oriented culture. This course will investigate the problems of that transition, as reflected in such major works of the early French Middle Ages as: The Song of Roland, the Tristan legend, the Roman d’Eneas, the Arthurian romances of Chrétien de Troyes, anonymous texts concerning the Holy Grail and the death of King Arthur. We shall also address questions relevant to this transition, such as the emergence of medieval allegory, the rise of literacy, and the relationship among love, sex, and hierarchy. All texts will be read in modern French. Conducted in French.

Requisite: One of the following--FREN 207, 208, 311, or equivalent. Spring semester.  Professor Rockwell.

Keywords

Attention to Writing, Languages Other Than English

Offerings

2022-23: Not offered
Other years: Offered in Fall 2009, Spring 2012, Spring 2015, Spring 2018, Spring 2021