Tolkien Reading Beowulf
Beowulf is perhaps the greatest epic of the early Middle Ages. Written in Old English, the ancestor of modern English, the poem contains a variety of genres, and deals with themes of heroism, human nature, and loss. The course will involve close readings of Beowulf, as well as an investigation of the significance of the poem to the medievalist and fantasy writer J.R.R. Tolkien. The latter part of the course will revolve around Tolkien’s novel, The Two Towers (the second in The Lord of the Rings trilogy); although we will concentrate on only one novel, familiarity with the entire trilogy is recommended. Beowulf will be read in translation.
Assessment
- Translation Close Reading Exercise (15%)
- Creative Assignment (5%)
- Research Presentation and Report (20%)
- Essay Proposal (5%)
- Essay (25%)
- Class Participation (10%)
- Exam (20%)
**Subject to change**
Prerequisites
- Registration in an English Major or Joint Honours plan
