ENG 212: Old and
Middle English Literature
1. Old
English Literature
Class 1: Historical
background – Celtic Britain, Roman Occupation
Class 2: Invasion
of Britain by Angles, Saxons, Jutes & Vikings
Class 3: The Wanderer,
The Seafarer, Dream of the Rood - Advent of Christianity
Class 4: Anglo-Saxon
Literature + Quiz 1
2. Beowulf
Class 5: ‘Beowulf’
as an epic & Beowulf as an epic hero
Class 6:
Representation of ancient Germanic life in Beowulf
Class 7: Pagan
& Christian elements in Beowulf + Quiz 2
Class 8: Elegiac
and melancholy note in Beowulf
Class 9: Plot of
Beowulf – importance of the digressions
Class 10: Literary
form & poetic style in Beowulf
Class 11: Allegory
in Beowulf – treatment of good and evil
Class 12: Mid Term
examination
3. Middle
English Literature
Class 11: Aspects
of medieval life
Class 13: Age of
Chaucer – historical and political background
Class 14: Life and
works of Chaucer – (1340 – 1400)
Class 15: Chaucer’s
greatness as a poet + Quiz 3
4. Prologue
to Canterbury Tales
Class 16: The
Prologue as a framework of Canterbury Tales
Class 17:
Significance of the pilgrimage – story of St. Thomas becket & his martyrdom
Class 18: The
Prologue as a portrait gallery of 14th century England – character
sketches
Class 19: Humour,
irony and satire in The Prologue
Class 20: Chaucer’s
attitude towards nature and women
Class 21: Chaucer’s
attitude to contemporary religious practices
Class 22: Chaucer’s
humanism and realism
Class 23:
Assignment submission & presentation
Class 24: Final examination
[N.B.: Relevantparts of The Prologue will be read out in authentic Middle
English pronunciation and explained along with discussion of topics]