Arthurian Women: Medieval to Medievalism

This subject focuses on the long history of Arthurian literature, art and medievalism, with a special focus on the role of women in the long tradition of writing and re-inventing the Arthurian myth. It will examine medieval renditions of the King Arthur myth, and the Victorian medieval revival, and will consider how the presentations of Arthurian women reflect the national, social, and political contexts in which they were written. This subject will also explore modern, feminist adaptations of the Arthur myth and the ways that the Arthurian legend has been adapted to consider marginalised figures and to appeal to a more diverse audience, across a range of new genres and media. Authors may include Chrétien de Troyes, Malory, Tennyson, and Tracy Deonn. No prior knowledge of medieval literature is assumed.

• 1Discuss the history of the Arthurian myth from the medieval to the modern period
• 2Situate the Arthurian legend in its literary, historic, and artistic contexts, especially with regards to the constructions of female characters and figures
• 3Identify the benefits of interdisciplinary approaches to medieval literature
• 4Discuss how material culture impacts textual engagement and interpretation
• 5Read and interpret selected Middle English texts.