English 189-2 - Winter, 2011

Seminar in a Major Writer

Topic: The Pearl Poet

Class Information

Instructor: Wolf, Keri
CRN: 43931
Time: TR 3:10-4:30
Location: 109 Olson

Description

This seminar will investigate the four medieval poems—Pearl, Cleanness, Patience, and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight—commonly attributed to a single anonymous author referred to as the “Pearl Poet.” By reading these late 14th century texts in Middle English, we will be able to examine some of the prominent characteristics of the Northwest Midlands dialect and to consider the poems’ context within the Alliterative Revival. To foster an awareness of the literary context of these poems, the course will also introduce analogues as well as selected modern literary and visual adaptations that reinterpret themes such as grief, consolation, and temptation that appear in the Pearl Poet’s work. In addition, we will consider genres (including the Arthurian romance and the dream vision) that the poet employs. No prior knowledge of Middle English is necessary, but students who have previously completed courses on medieval poets such as Chaucer will find this background helpful.

Grading

Discussion/Participation
Homework
Short Essays (3)
Final Essay
Group Project
Presentation
Final

Texts

The Poems of the Pearl Manuscript , 5th ed.
MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 7th ed.