Medieval Literature: Medieval Women Writers

Readings

In addition to a complete bibliography of readings in the course, readings assigned  by class session are available.

Required Texts

Platt, Rutherford Hayes, and J. Alden Brett, eds. The Lost Books of the Bible and the Forgotten Books of Eden. New York: Plume, 1974. (LBB)

Petroff, Elizabeth Alvilda, ed. Medieval Women’s Visionary Literature. New York, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1986. (MWVL)

McNamara, Jo Ann, John E. Halborg, and Gordon Whatley, eds. Sainted Women of the Dark Ages. Durham: Duke University Press, 1992. (SWDA)

Barsby, John, tr. Terence. Cambridge: Harvard University Press - Loeb Classics, 2001.

Hrotsvit of Gandersheim. A Florilegium of Her Works. Translated by Katharina M. Wilson. Cambridge: Boydell & Brewer, 1998.

Hildegard of Bingen. Scivias. Translated by Columba Hart, and Jane Bishop. New York, Mahwah: Paulist Press, 1990.

Abelard, and Heloise. The Letters of Abelard and Heloise. Translated by Betty Radice. London: Penguin, 1974.

Bogin, Meg, ed. The Women Troubadours. New York: W. W. Norton, 1980.

Marie de France. The Lais of Marie de France. Translated by Robert Hanning, and Joan Ferrante. Durham NC: Labyrinth Press, 1978.

Christine de Pizan. The Book of the City of Ladies. Translated by Earl Jeffrey Richards. New York: Persea Books, 1982.

Willard, Charity Cannon, ed. The Writings of Christine de Pizan. New York: Persea Books, 1993.

Joan of Arc. In Her Own Words. Translated by Willard Trask. New York: B. O. O. K. S. and Co., 1996.

Julian of Norwich. Showings. Edited by Edmund Colledge. New York: Paulist Press, 1977.

Kempe, Margery. The Book of Margery Kempe. Translated by B. A. Windeatt. New York and London: Penguin,1985.

Readings by Class Session

SES #	TOPICS	READINGS	HANDOUTS
1	Introduction
2	Biblical and Patristic Materials	Genesis. 2.4-3:24. Revelations. 12. Romans. 5-7. 1 Corinthians. 7, 14. 2 Corinthians. 11. Galatians. 3-4, Ephesians. 5. 1 Timothy. 2. Augustine. On the Literal Meaning of Genesis XI. xxxvii. 50, xlii. 58-59. Jerome. Against Jovinian. Book I. (Available on-line through the Electronic Text Services at the University of Virginia, and through the Christian Classics Ethereal Library.)	(PDF) (PDF)
3	Hagiography: Late Antiquity and the Early Middle Ages	Paul and Thecla. (LBB) Perpetua. The Passion of Ss. Perpetua and Felicitas. (MWVL) Venantius Fortunatus, and Baudonivia. The Life of the Holy Radegund. (SWDA)	(PDF)
4	Virgin Martyrdom in the Comic Mode	Terence. The Eunuch. Hrotsvit of Gandersheim*. Letter to Patrons;* Dulcitius.
5	Transforming the Past	Hrotsvit of Gandersheim. Basilius; Callimachus; Abraham; Sapientia; Thais.
6	The Trivium: Scholasticism and the Literary Curriculum	Abelard. Historia Calamitatum.
7	Medieval Rhetoric and the Power of Emotions	Abelard, and Heloise. Letters 1-4.	(PDF)
8	The Self Reformed	Abelard, and Heloise. Letters 5-7. Abelard’s Confession of Faith.
9	Independent Research Project Presentations
10	Independent Research Project Presentations (cont.)
11	Courtly Love and Self-presentation	Women Troubadours.
12	Romance and Aristocratic Society	Marie de France, Lays. “Prologue”; “Guigemar”; “Bisclavret”; and “Lanval.”
13	Adventures on the Celtic Fringe	Marie de France, Lays. “Equitan”; “Chaitivel”; and “Eliduc.”
14	The Quadrivium: Science in the Medieval Curriculum	Hildegard of Bingen. Scivias. Declaration. Book I, Visions 1-3. Book II, Visions 1-3.
15	The Science of Salvation	Hildegard of Bingen. Scivias. Book II, Vision 7. Book III, Visions 10-13.
16	Spirituality and Courtly Love	Elizabeth of Schönau. Visions - Book Two. Mechthild of Magdeburg. Flowing Light of the Godhead. Hadewijch of Brabant. Letters to a Young Beguine, Visions. Beatrijzs of Nazareth. Seven Manners of Loving. (MWVL)
17	Mysticism and Heresy	Catherine of Siena. Letters. Angela of Foligno. The Book of the Experience of the Truly Faithful. Na Prous Boneta. Confession of Na Prous Boneta. Marguerite Porete. The Mirror of Simple Souls. (MWVL)	(PDF)
18	Affective Piety and Autobiography	Julian of Norwich. Showings.
19	The Disorders of Divine Love	Kempe, Margery. The Book of Margery Kempe. Proem, Book I, chapters 1-39.
20	Objects of Affection	Margery Kempe. The Book of Margery Kempe. Book I, chapters 40-58.
21	Imitations of Love	Margery Kempe. The Book of Margery Kempe. Book I, chapters 59-89.
22	Disciplines of the Self	Margery Kempe. The Book of Margery Kempe. Book II.
23	Late Medieval Feminism	Christine de Pizan. The Book of the City of Ladies. Part I.	(PDF)
24	Allegories of Power	Christine de Pizan. The Book of the City of Ladies. Part II, sections 1-43.
25	The Social Orders	Christine de Pizan. The Book of the City of Ladies. Part II, sections 44-69. Part III.
26	The Crisis of Nationalism	Christine de Pizan. The Poem of Joan of Arc. Joan of Arc.