Prof. N. Black Fall 2005
Office Hours (3110 Boylan), T, Th, 2-3 and 5-6 p.m., or by appointment
Direct voice: 951-4275
E-mail: nblack@brooklyn.cuny.edu
Website: http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/english/black
The Canterbury Tales (English 705X)
Learning to read Middle English, the dialect spoken around London in the late fourteenth century, is a means to a larger end: that is, to understand some of the social, religious, and aesthetic issues raised by Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. Written in fragments and unfinished at the time of author’s death, the text presents many interpretive puzzles to modern readers. Examination of the responses that critics both old (formalist, historical, and Robertsonian) and new (feminist, Marxist, and deconstructionist) have brought to the Tales is part of the subject matter of the course.
Required Text:
The Riverside Chaucer, ed. Larry Benson (3rd edition). ISBN 0-395-29031-7.
OR
The Canterbury Tales, ed. Larry Benson. ISBN 0-395-97823-8.
Recommended texts:
1. The Wife of Bath, ed. Peter G. Beidler (Bedford/St. Martin’s). ISBN 0-312-11128-2.
2. Cassette Tape of “The General Prologue” by The Chaucer Library.
3. The Canterbury Tales, trans. N. Coghill (Penguin). ISBN 0-14-044022-4.
4. A Glossary of Literary Terms, ed. M.H. Abrams (Harcourt-Brace). ISBN 0-15-505452-X.
IT IS ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL THAT YOU BRING YOUR TEXT TO CLASS EACH WEEK. THERE WILL BE A QUIZ ON THE READING AT THE START OF EACH CLASS.
Due Dates of Weekly Assignments:
Aug. 30 Introduction to Chaucer and pronunciation of Middle English. Two critical approaches to the pilgrims: dramatic and non-dramatic readings.
Sept. 6 General Prologue and first two parts of "The Knight's Tale," pp. 23-50. Introduction to research tools (Concordance, OED, Middle English Dictionary).
Sept. 13 Last two parts of "The Knight's Tale," pp. 50-66. Two interpretations of the Knight (philosophic and social historicist).
Sept. 20 The Miller's, Reeve's and Cook's Tales (including prologues), pp. 66-86. Feminist approaches to literary rape.
Sept. 27 "The Man of Law's Introduction and Tale," pp. 87-104. A Marxist and social historicist approach.
Oct. 4 No Class.
Oct. 11 No Class. Conversion day to Monday.
Oct. 18 "The Wife of Bath's Prologue and Tale," pp. 105-22. Feminist prototype or misogynist mockery? First paper due.
Oct. 25 "The Friar's Tale" and "The Summoner's Tale," pp. 122-36. The problem of the order of the tales.
Nov. 1 "The Clerk's Tale," pp. 137-53. Reader response by Petrarch.
Nov. 8 "The Merchant's Tale," pp. 153-68. Comedy, misogyny or carnival?
Nov. 15 "The Franklin's Tale," pp. 178-89. The notion of "the marriage group."
Nov. 22 "The Physician's Tale" and "The Pardoner's Prologue and Tale," pp. 190-202. The Seven Deadly Sins and the possibility of salvation.
Nov. 29 "The Prioress's Tale" and "The Nun's Priest's Tale," pp. 209-12 and 252-61. The anti-Semitism debate. First draft of second paper due.
Dec. 6 "The Second Nun's Prologue and Tale" and "The Canon Yeoman's Prologue and Tale," pp. 262-81.
Dec. 13 "The Manciple's Tale," pp. 282-86. The dislocation of discourse. Final draft of second paper due.
Dec. 20 Final examination
Learning Objectives:
- The ability to understand the structure of Middle English and its relationship to Modern English, including aspects of syntax, phonology, and semantics. Assessment: weekly translation quizzes and individual quiz on the pronunciation of the first 18 lines of the “General Prologue.”
- The ability to understand and analyze literary texts written in Middle English. Assessment: class discussion, quizzes, and two writing assignments.
- The ability to use the library to find appropriate print and electronic sources. Assessment: both writing assignments.
- The ability to revise a paper for clear and imaginative writing and correctness. Assessment: revision of draft of second paper.
- The ability to understand the interrelation of language, culture, and society. Assessment: oral discussion and final examination.
- The ability to understand and apply literary/critical theory. Assessment: class discussion, second writing assignment, and final examination.
Requirements:
1. Carefully prepare the reading selections before each class.
2. There will be two essays, weekly quizzes, and a final examination.
3. The final grade will be calculated as follows:
essay #1 20%
essay #2 40%
average of weekly quizzes 20%
final exam 20%
4. Students are expected to attend class regularly, to arrive on time, and to hand in papers on the dates due.
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