Examination of Medieval Texts : from Latin to Old French

Teacher(s)

Cavagna Mattia;

Language

French

Prerequisites

/

Main themes

The course will focus on a series of texts and extracts from the 11th, 12th and 13th centuries representing a number of literary genres, notably, hagiography, the novel, the epic, lyric poetry, the short narrative. Each of the chosen extracts will be analysed in detail both from the linguistic standpoint ' vocabulary, morphology, syntax, phonetics ' and from the literary and stylistic standpoint. Special attention will be paid to features of the literary technique specific to each of the genres covered, notably the formulaic style of the Chansons de Geste, the technique of 'conjoining' or 'interleaving' used in fiction, and the aesthetic of brevity in tales and fables.

Content

After a general introduction focussing on the linguistic characteristics of Old French, the lecture course will mainly concentrate on the critical and literary analysis of the selected excerpts, while the practical exercise sessions will mainly be devoted to linguistic analysis.

Teaching methods

Formal lectures with a variety of teaching support: reading of extracts, Key-Note, multimedia support + practical work sessions

Evaluation methods

Oral examination regarding the texts and authors encountered in the course. Students must be able to translate and analyse an excerpt from a text that will have been read and commented on during the lecture course, and must be able to situate it in its literary context.

Other information

Participation in the practical sessions is mandatory 

Faculty or entity

ELAL