This survey is designed as an introduction to the literary period stretching from Milton to Sterne, i.e. from the early seventeenth century to the mid-eighteenth century. Discussing the "long eighteenth century", we will focus on literary history and will criticise periodization with concepts such as Restoration Period, the Neo-Classical Period, the Age of Reason or Romanticism. Students should be familiar with historical events such as the Glorious Revolution or the French Revolution. However, more importantly, students should take an interest in styles of writing and the cultural context at large. We will contextualise canonical texts, discuss the changing political and economic conditions of textual production in the period, and we will also – from time to time – look at visual arts, music and architecture to reflect on the literary periods covered.
- Dozent/in: Felix Sprang