The Vulgar Middle Ages

Catalog description

Over the course of the Middle Ages language and literature, like almost every other area of medieval culture, existed within a strict Hierarchy. In the Western hemisphere Latin – and eventually French – dominated the “serious” modes of textual production and served as the languages of History, Law, Politics, and Religion. This course will focus on the opposite end of the spectrum, exploring the vulgar or common tongues and texts which spoke to and for the people, and which operated as expressions of comedy and commentary on the world around them. We will discuss the importance and effect of writing in relatively accessible languages during and beyond the Middle Ages (e.g., Shakespeare’s low brow writing and modern creoles, code switching, and digital languages). All non-English texts will be available in translation and our medieval texts will focus on works which contribute to the creation and popularization of Vulgar languages. For example, Dante’s De vulgari eloquentia for Italian; Cantar de mio Cid for Spanish; and Chaucer’s assorted works for English.