Stories of Robin Hood as we know them today derive from literature composed and performed for audiences in late medieval England. This course will introduce students to the popular literature of the period, including plays, lyrics, and romances, with special attention to Robin Hood ballads. As part of our analysis of the texts, we will examine the role of orality and performance in popular culture, as well as the carnivalesque inversions of authority found in the literature and in medieval popular festivals. During the course students will be able to workshop some of the texts in class, and will be expected to prepare (but not memorize) a text (or part of a text) for a group or individual performance.
Readings
All texts will be read in Middle English; students will be introduced to Middle English grammar and pronunciation in the class.
Assessment
- Class Participation (15)%
- Performance (10%)
- Oral Presentation (20%)
- Essay (30%)
- Exam (25%)
**Subject to change**
Prerequisites
- ENGL 200
- ENGL 290
Additional information
This course is repeatable for credit under different topic titles.
