Plant Poetry in Early Modern England
In
this MA seminar we will reflect on literary conceptions of plants in
Early Modern England and explore the emerging field of 'plant poetics'.
When attending this seminar, you should take an interest in ecocritical
perspectives and be curious about aesthetic theory in relation to
plants.
We
will explore plant lore in poetry and we will thus aim at theorizing and
historicising plant poetics with regard to generic and aesthetic
constraints. Think about growth as an ambiguous quality, for example, or
how plant imagery has shaped metaphors of endurance as well as
humility. We will also read excerpts from proto-botanical treatises and
textbooks such as Gerard’s Herball, or Generall Historie of Plantes (1597; 1636) that unfold the complexity of perspectives on plant life in Early Modern England.
A
reader with poems will be provided. Additionally, you will have to read
an epic poem, a play or a prose text of your choice from the period 1450
-1690 that makes you think about plant life. The Studienleistung consists of you sharing a co-operative and interactive exploration of your text with us in our weekly sessions.
Credit
for the "Prüfungsleistung" is granted on the basis of a
"Modulabschlussprüfung", an oral exam of 30 or 40 mins. (depending on
your degree) - with the content of this seminar covering 15 or 20 mins.
- Dozent/in: Felix Sprang