Fiche de cours
Furs, Claws, Hide, Bark: Non-human Life Forms in Old and Middle English Literature
Faculté de gestion: Faculté des lettres
Responsable(s): Denis Renevey
Intervenant(s): -
Pas d'horaire défini.
Séminaire
Semestre d'automne
2 heures par semaine
28 heures par semestre
Langue(s) d'enseignement: anglais
Public: Oui
Crédits: 0
Contenu
Considering contemporary concerns with global warming and the recent emergence of anti-speciesism, it is worthwhile discussing the ways in which our perception of non-human life forms diverge from/converge with, that of the medieval period.
To what extent can the symbolic representation of the vegetal and animal worlds work without an understanding of their function within their natural system? To what extent is medieval culture interested in the intrinsic qualities of non-human life forms? Do these texts express genuine concern about the environment and the fragility of its existence? How can we apply our theoretical understanding of non-human life forms to medieval culture without suppressing its characteristics?
These are questions that will be discussed through our reading of several texts, such as a few Old English riddles, The Seafarer, The Dream of the Rood, extracts from The Desert of Religion, The Owl and the Nightingale, The Fox and the Wolf and two tales from The Canterbury Tales.
