Epic into Novel 2017-18: Essential Module Information
1. Module Aims
By the end of the module the student should be able to:
1. Demonstrate a good working knowledge of the two principal European classical epics, Homer’s Iliad and Virgil’s Aeneid.
2. Discuss the nature of the classical epic and trace its influence and transformations in later European literature.
3. Show knowledge of the English seventeenth-century epic Paradise Lost and of its relation both to the classical epic and to the culture and events of seventeenth-century England.
4. Show knowledge of Henry Fielding’s Tom Jones and George Eliot’s Middlemarch and show understanding of the nature of the novel and of the way in which novelists have built on and varied the traditions of the epic.
5. Show knowledge of non-Western epic and novel, of the cultural conjunctions in which they are composed and of their similarities with and differences from European epics and novels.
6. Show knowledge of the typical structures, motifs and aims of epics and novels and the way in which these are modified to accord with distinct cultural, political and religious circumstances.
7. Show some understanding of the nature of literary genres and the ways in which genres change over time and as a result of different cultural circumstances.
2. Texts to buy and study
TERM 1
- Homer,The Iliad, trans. Richmond Lattimore (Chicago UP) (ISBN 978-0226470498)
- Virgil,The Aeneid, trans. R. Fitzgerald (Everyman) (ISBN 978-1857150858)
- John Milton,Paradise Lost(in The Norton Anthology 8th ed Vol B - 16th/Early 17th Century) (ISBN 978-0393927184) NB. You will also be using this Anthology for the Medieval to Renaissance English Literature module. Students wishing to buy a full scholarly edition ofParadise Lostare encouraged to buyParadise Lost, ed. Alistair Fowler (Longman) (ISBN 978-1405832786)
TERM 2
- The Mahabharata, trans. J. D. Smith (Penguin Classics) ISBN 978-0140446814. From this text we ask you to read the Introduction and the following pages: 17-20, 28-61, 68-74, 90-102, 121-163, 214-233, 354-366, 375-389, 398-408, 419-431, 471-484, 512-524, 566-575, 583-592, 779-791.
- Henry Fielding,Tom Jones(Penguin) (ISBN 978-0140436228) or any other modern edition
- George Eliot,Middlemarch(Penguin) (ISBN 978-0141439549) or any other modern edition
- Ngugi wa Thiong’o,A Grain of Wheat (Penguin) (ISBN 978-0141186993)
3. Examination
For first year students, one three-hour examination with four questions, as follows:
1. Commentary on a passage of 15-25 lines taken from one of the epics studied (choice of two) (17%)
2. Commentary on a passage of 15-25 lines taken from one of the novels studied (choice of two) (17%)
3. Essay on the epics studied (33%)
4. Essay on the novels studied or on the relationship between novels and epics (33%)
For honours students, EITHER two 5,000 word essays (due in weeks 11 and 22) OR essay on the epic (due in week 11) and a two-hour examination (questions 1, 2 and 4 above)
5. Teaching Methods
a. Weekly seminar.
Seminars are intended to be discussions of the texts you have been reading. You must read the text set before the seminar and come to the seminar prepared to ask questions and to respond to points and questions raised by the other students and the tutor.
Seminars usually begin in week 2 but please consult the door of your tutor’s office in case a preliminary meeting in week 1 has been arranged. No seminars or lectures in reading weeks, week 6 of autumn and spring terms.
b. Weekly lecture (12 noon H052)
Lectures will discuss the principal issues raised by the text week by week.
c. Formative written work
1. commentary on passage from an epic (due seminar time, week 7, term 1), maximum 600 words.
2. essay on the epic (due seminar time, term 2, week, 1), maximum 2000 words.
3. commentary on the novel (due seminar time, term 2, week 10), maximum 600 words.
4. Self-timed essay of an hour, corresponding to question 4 of the exam (due seminar time term 3, week 2).
Honours students taking the module through two 5,000 word essays need not complete this final essay.
Titles and extracts for formative work will be distributed through the module website and the lectures. Formative work should be handed in to tutors in your seminar or before, if so arranged.
6. Plan of the Module
TERM 1
Week 1. Introductory Lecture and Homer, Iliad 1
Week 2. Homer, Iliad, 2-13
Week 3. Homer, Iliad, 14-24.
Week 4. Virgil, Aeneid, 1-4
Week 5. Virgil, Aeneid, 5-8
Week 6 Reading Week. **Commentary on set passage from an epic due Wednesday 2pm**
Week 7. Virgil, Aeneid, 9-12.
Week 8. Milton, Paradise Lost, 1-4
Week 9 Milton, Paradise Lost, 5-8
Week 10 Milton, Paradise Lost, 9-12.
TERM 2
Week 1 The Mahabharata
**Essay on the Epic due Monday 2pm (2,000 words for first year students; 5,000 words for honours students)**
Week 2 The Mahabharata
Week 3 Introduction to the Novel and Fielding Tom Jones, books 1-2
Week 4 Fielding, Tom Jones, books 3-10
Week 5 Fielding, Tom Jones, books 11-18
Week 6 Reading Week
Week 7 George Eliot, Middlemarch
Week 8 George Eliot, Middlemarch
Week 9 Ngugi wa Thiong’o, A Grain of Wheat
Week 10 Ngugi wa Thiong’o, A Grain of Wheat
**Commentary on set extract from novel due Monday 2pm**
TERM 3
Week 1 Revision 1: The Epic
Week 2 Revision 2: The Novel
**5,000 word Essays from those honours students who choose two essays due**
**Self-timed essays relating to question 4 due from other students**
Week 3 Revision 3: Epic into Novel
Weeks 4-8 (Date to be announced at start of term 3) Examination for Epic.
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