Reading the Middle Ages : an introduction to medieval literature
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Bibliographic Information
Reading the Middle Ages : an introduction to medieval literature
McFarland, c2003
- : softcover
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Note
Includes bibliographical references (p. 185-186) and index
Description and Table of Contents
Description
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.
Table of Contents
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
by "Nielsen BookData"