Fall 2006

WGS 340 • Aspects of Love in Medieval Germany-W

Course Description

This course will endeavor to present the wide spectre of what we would call love relationships today: From the platonic, self-deprecating worship of the minnesaenger in their love poetry to the bawdy sex of the maeren. The selection of texts will include passages from a handbook on how to make love properly (Andreas Capellanus), on how a mother teaches her daughter to become a whore (Hans Sachs), and on what medieval authors thought about homosexual sex, cross-dressing, incest or chastity. Moreover, the language of love has been allegorized by the mystics to describe their relationship to God or by learned scholars to express their affection for each other. In order to approach all these facets of love in Medieval German literature, we will study them in their cultural and literary setting. All texts will be taught in translation; no previous knowledge of Medieval literature is required.

Grading Policy

40%: Three essays 20%: Two revisions 20%: Four examinations 20%: Class participation

Texts

Gottfried von Strassburg, Tristan, Tr. Hatto, Penguin Course reader Excerpts from the letters of Abaelard and Heloise Andreas Capellanus, De Amore Heinrich von Veldeke, Eneasroman Hartmann von Aue, Iwein der Stricker, Von den maennelaeren Hans Sachs and Hans Folz, maeren Constantinus Africanus, De coitu and Viaticum

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