Medieval Literature and Culture A student guide [Hardcover]

Continuum's Introductions to British Literature and Culture series provide practical guides to key literary periods. Guides in the series help to orientate students as they begin a new module or area of study, providing concise information on the historical, cultural, literary and critical context and acting as an initial map of the knowledge needed to study the literature and culture of a specific period. Each guide includes an overview of the historical period, intellectual contexts, major genres, critical approaches and a guide to original research and resource materials in the area, enabling students to progress confidently to further study. The Guide to Medieval Literature and Culture provides students with the ideal introduction to literature and its context from the 7th to 15th centuries, including: - the historical, cultural and intellectual background including religion and philosophy; society and politics; art and culture - major works and genres including religious literature; history writing; drama; Chaucer; Langland - concise explanations of key terms needed to understand the literature and criticism - key critical approaches to medieval literature from the Renaissance to the present - a chronology mapping historical events and literary works and further reading including websites and electronic resources.

1. Introduction2. Historical, Cultural and Intellectual Context 2.1 Periods, Populations and Social Orders2.2 Rulers and High Politics2.3 The Clergy and the Intellectual World2.4 Those Who Worked3. Medieval English Literature: Genres, Canons and Literary Communities3.1 Historical Overview3.2 Overview by Genres4. Critical Approaches 4.1 From the Renaissance through the Eighteenth Century4.2 From the nineteenth through the mid-twentieth Century4.3 Current Issues Debates5. Resources for Independent Study 5.1 Chronology of key historical and cultural events, authors and works5.2 Glossary of key Terms and Concepts5.3 References, Further Readinglcë