Edmund Spenser and John Milton, two of the most significant authors of the Early Modern period, worked within a cultural tradition that has become almost completely foreign to us. However, many of the issues that concerned them – the nature and limits of political power, the relationship between the sexes, the role of sensuality, the link between gender, power, and violence – are as relevant to today’s world as they were in the 16th and 17th centuries. The aim of the course is to help students understand and appreciate these two classical writers in relation to the culture and society of their times. Expected learning outcomes: Upon completion of the course, students should: •be familiar with the main works of Spenser and Milton and their historical context •be able to read and understand these texts with the help of notes, and to comment intelligently on their form and content •be acquainted with the basic critical literature on some aspect of either Spenser or Milton •be able to present and discuss critical opinions in a brief researched essay Recommended reading: given in the Course Outline Distribution of Course Outline with thematic units and exam material? YES Distribution of textbook: Norton Anthology of English Literature, vol. 1. Related bibliography: available on Reserve in the library Assessment methods: A brief critical essay with bibliography and a written final examination
