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ESH6078

Grief and Consolation: Writing Death in the Middle Ages

Level 6 (15 credits)

How did writers in the Middle Ages express grief and memorialise the dead? How did literature offer consolation or advice to those left behind? If death is universal responses to it differ greatly across times and cultures. This module explores the cultural attitudes to mourning in medieval literature, and the asks to what extent literature itself offers consolation to the living. This module will introduce you to a diverse range of medieval literary forms including lyric poetry, drama, philosophy, dream vision, and elegy. You will be supported in developing skills at reading in Middle English, the language of medieval England and Scotland.

Preparing for this Module and Approximate Costs

Try to read Boethius' Consolation of Philosophy in advance of the first class.

Primary texts costing up to £30 if purchased new in recommended editions.

 
Why take
Grief and Consolation: Writing Death in the Middle Ages
?

  • learn about ancient and medieval philosophical traditions and their application to contemporary questions
  • explore some of the more experimental writings in early English literature
  • consider the close links between medieval literature and the visual arts
Learning Context Long Seminar
Semester Two
Assessment
  1. Written Assignment 1 (1000 words), 25%
  2. Written Assignment 2 (3000 words), 75%
Mode of reassessment Standard
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