Studying at York
Tales of Transformation: Late Medieval Romance - ENG00108M
- Department: English and Related Literature
- Module co-ordinator: Dr. Lydia Zeldenrust
- Credit value: 20 credits
- Credit level: M
- Academic year of delivery: 2022-23
Module summary
This module examines transformations in late medieval English romance in its broadest sense, covering both the genre’s fascination with stories of metamorphosis and shape-shifting and the key role played by translation and the refashioning of popular stories and motifs. Many late medieval romances feature characters who transform into animals, objects or other strange or monstrous beings. We will examine what such tales of transformation tell us about how medieval people perceived the boundaries between human and animal, man and woman, life and death, body and spirit, and the natural and supernatural worlds. We will also pay attention to elements of humour and fantasy, to examine why late medieval authors and readers found stories about mutating bodies and identities so appealing – and, indeed, why we still find them so interesting today.
Though the focus lies on Middle English romance, in some seminars we will consider connections with other vernacular traditions, most notably French romance. A high percentage of Middle English romances are translations or adaptations, and not all romances that circulated in Britain were written in English. We will take a close look at how such cross-cultural exchanges helped shape a genre known for its constant reinvention and infinite adaptability.
Themes and topics discussed may include: werewolves; Arthurian romances; serpent women; ghosts and death as transformation; magical versus divine transformations; transvestism and gender transformations; translation, adaptation, and rewriting; shifting generic boundaries
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Autumn Term 2022-23 |
Module aims
This module aims to introduce you to the concept of transformation as a way of interrogating the literary genre of late medieval romance, both in terms of its preoccupation with stories of metamorphosis and identity formation, and the role played by translation and cross-cultural exchange as key creative impulses.
It aims to give you the opportunity to develop your skills in close reading and in reading comparatively across texts; to set the romances’ preoccupation with stories that question the limits of human identity in a wider historical, cultural, literary, and critical context; and to develop students’ understanding of concepts like transformation, translation, and rewriting from the perspective of modern criticism and how it was understood by medieval authors and readers.
Module learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module, you should be able to:
- Demonstrate an advanced understanding of and engagement with a range of late medieval romances in English and French
- Demonstrate an advanced understanding of and engagement with the cultural, literary, and historical context of late medieval romances
- Demonstrate an advanced understanding of concepts relating to transformation and translation, both as used by modern scholars and as understood in medieval culture
- Evaluate key debates within a range of relevant critical fields
- Produce independent arguments and ideas which demonstrate an advanced proficiency in critical thinking, research, and writing skills
Indicative assessment
| Task | Length | % of module mark |
|---|---|---|
| Essay/coursework 4500 word essay |
N/A | 100 |
Special assessment rules
None
Additional assessment information
You will hand in a formative essay of approximately 2,000 words in Week 6 of the Autumn term. The main purpose of the essay is to ensure that the department can identify those students who may require additional assistance with academic writing skills. Material from the procedural essay may be re-visited in either one of the January essays or the dissertation. It is therefore an early chance to work through material that might be used in assessed work. The title topic of the essay, like the title topic of all assessed work for the degree, is left open to the individual student.
Indicative reassessment
| Task | Length | % of module mark |
|---|---|---|
| Essay/coursework 4500 word essay |
N/A | 100 |
Module feedback
You will receive feedback on all assessed work within the University deadline, and will often receive it more quickly. The purpose of feedback is to inform your future work; it is designed to help you to improve your work, and the Department also offers you help in learning from your feedback. If you do not understand your feedback or want to talk about your ideas further you can discuss it with your MA convener, module tutor or your supervisor, during their Open Office Hours
Indicative reading
Works to be read may include: William of Palerne, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Melusine, Valentine and Orson, The Awntyrs off Arthure, Lybeaus Desconus, The Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnelle, Roman de Silence, King of Tars, Chevalere Assigne.
Most Middle English romances are available online, via the TEAMS website: http://d.lib.rochester.edu/teams
Works in French will be read in modern translation.