Why do we read Literature?
While you write down your answer, I’ll take�attendance – forgive my pronunciation – I �promise to work on it – and I will be sending�out a survey – which will include what you wish�to be called and how to pronounce it.
“we read to know that we’re not alone…”
Why teach British Literature?
Why teach anything older than 100 years? (my argument with a colleague)
Let’s listen to the one of the oldest poems in the English Language – listen carefully – there will be a quiz.
“Deor”
Deor
Welund tasted misery among snakes.�The stout-hearted hero endured troubles�had sorrow and longing as his companions�cruelty cold as winter - he often found woe�Once Nithad laid restraints on him,�supple sinew-bonds on the better man.�That went by; so can this.
Deor
To Beadohilde, her brothers' death was not
so painful to her heart as her own problem
which she had readily perceived
that she was pregnant; nor could she ever
foresee without fear how things would turn out.
That went by, so can this.
Deor
We have learnt of the laments of Mathild,
of Geat's lady, that they became countless
so that the painful passion took away all sleep.
That went by, so can this.
Deor
For thirty years Theodric possessed
the Maring's stronghold; that was known to many.
That went by, so can this.
Deor
We have heard of Eormanric's�wolfish mind; he ruled men in many places�in the Goths' realm - that was a grim king.�Many a man sat surrounded by sorrows,�misery his expectation, he often wished�that the kingdom would be overcome.�That went by, so may this.
Deor
A heavy-hearted man sits deprived of luck.�He grows gloomy in his mind and thinks of himself�that his share of troubles may be endless.�He can then consider that throughout this world�the wise Lord often brings about change�to many a man, he shows him grace�and certain fame; and to some a share of woes.
Deor
I wish to say this about myself:
That for a time I was the Heodenings' poet,
dear to my lord - my name was "Deor".
For many years I had a profitable position,
a loyal lord until now that Heorrenda,
the man skilled in song, has received the estate
which the warriors' guardian had given to me.
That went by, so can this.
My former student Alistair
We will study a lot of Shakespeare…
Again…the question is why…
The student in the back of the class…
Life is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.
My friend, Rob Watson
What makes Shakespeare different?
What do we know about William Shakespeare?
The thing about Shakespeare is – we know nothing about him, and he knows everything about us…
“To know we’re not alone.”
The great writer Toni Morrison on the Anglo-Saxon (as old as “Deor”) epic poem Beowulf:
I AM HOPING that you will agree that the piece of literature I want to draw from is, as one of its translators says, "equal to our knowledge of reality in the present time." And discover in the lines of association I am making with a medieval sensibility and a modern one a fertile ground on which we can appraise our contemporary world.
In the midst of our spring quarter – during the Pandemic; during the protests, the loss of life and the suffering, we read an excerpt from this poem, over 200 years old, in class…
“Drive my dead thoughts over the universe
Like wither'd leaves to quicken a new birth!
And, by the incantation of this verse,
Scatter, as from an unextinguish'd hearth
Ashes and sparks, my words among mankind!
Be through my lips to unawaken'd earth
The trumpet of a prophecy! O Wind,
If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?” Percy Shelley
Assignments
The day that is given is always the day that it is due…
The following are due the next day we meet (see Google Classroom – make sure you do them in the correct order)
Your educational essay (write this before you read)
“John and Barbara’s Story” – read the entire text and take notes – print it out if you can.
Obtain the novel, Grendel by John Gardner – if you can purchase it – if not, a library book is fine.
There will be quizzes on all readings – don’t skim – read – you will get credit for reading.