CiNii Books - Reading the Middle Ages : an introduction to medieval literature

Medieval literature is separated from us by so many centuries that it may seem completely foreign, both in its concerns and its techniques. However, this literature has much to say to 21st century readers and Steinberg's book demonstrates its continuing relevance and appeal. This introduction to medieval literature provides some of the cultural context that readers need to know in order to understand the literature, such as the religious orientation of the people, often deep and sincere but sometimes treated casually or subjected to intense scrutiny. The first chapter provides a brief explanation of medieval religious thought, cosmology and intellectual history. The remaining chapters provide introductions to a number of individual works ranging from Beowulf to the works of Chaucer. Avoiding the tendency to regard the Middle Ages as an era dominated by Christian men, these discussions include works by women writers and Jewish writers and a chapter on the medieval Japanese masterpiece The Tale of Genji. Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.

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Table of Contents Preface Introduction The Religious Context Literacy and Reading The Medieval Poet Thinking Medievally On to the Literature I. BEOWULF On Digressions Of Kings and Monsters The Trouble with Geats Beowulf and the Question of Evil II. CHRÉTIEN DE TROYES Epic and Romance Erec and Enide and Yvain Lancelot and Perceval III. THE LAIS OF MARIE DE FRANCE Medieval Women Writers The Lais IV. THE ROMANCE OF THE ROSE A Medieval “Best-Seller” Focusing on Love Guillaume’s Dream Jean Takes Over V. THE TALE OF GENJI Leaving Europe Reading Genji VI. JEWISH LITERATURE The Jews in Christian Europe The Jews in Moslem Spain VII. SAGAS Iceland and the Sagas Egil and Laxdoela Njal’s Saga VIII. DANTE The High Point of the Middle Ages Hell Purgatory Paradise IX. PEARL AND SIR GAWAIN AND THE GREEN KNIGHT Fourteenth-Century England Pearl Sir Gawain and the Green Knight X. CHAUCER Chaucer’s Contemporaries Early Chaucer The Canterbury Tales Epilogue Notes Bibliography Index

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Reading the Middle Ages : an introduction to medieval literature

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