ENGL 219 The Global Middle Ages

This course explores a wide range of medieval literature (all in modern English translation) from around the world. The focus will be “global” in two senses: our texts take readers on journeys with medieval heroes, merchants, exiles, pilgrims, and other travelers to far-reaching locations; even more importantly, these works are cross-cultural in form and content, created within global contexts and reflecting a vast array of influences from diverse oral and literary traditions. While all of the stories we will read have origins in the Middle Ages, some continue to be told and performed in parts of the world even today.