- Spring 2019
Syllabus Description:
ENGL 513A: Old English Language and Literature: _Beowulf_
This is the second part of the two-part sequence in Old English Language and Literature, completion of which may serve to fulfill a graduate language requirement. New students (including undergraduates: email remley@uw.edu) are also encouraged to join, and will be able get "up to speed" quickly over the course of the first two weeks. In this seminar we undertake a close reading of _Beowulf_, the most substantial surviving Old English poem, in the original language. Considerable attention will be paid to the most recent work in _Beowulf_ studies, notably Kevin S. Kiernan's controversial study of the unique manuscript; gender-studies-oriented criticism on Wealtheow and other female-identified figures in the poem; ideological background studies of the Germanic migrations; and archaeological and more broadly cultural approaches that may offer useful contextualization of this well-known -- but ultimately enigmatic -- poem.
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Course Texts:
Klaeber, ed., _Beowulf_, rev. Fulk et al. (4th ed.)
Liuzza, trans., _Beowulf_ (2nd ed.; facing-page translation)
Alexander, ed. and trans., _Beowulf_ (Penguin edition with facing-page, word-by-word "gloss")
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Also recommended:
Heaney, _Beowulf_ (facing-page translation)
Chickering, _Beowulf_: Dual-Language Text (facing-page translation extensive full notes)