Seminar: Medieval Blood
UE-L06.01035
Enseignant(s): Dutton Elisabeth |
Cursus: Master |
Type d'enseignement: Séminaire |
ECTS: 3 |
Langue(s) du cours: Anglais |
Semestre(s): SA-2020 |
Blood in the medieval period was much more than simply red fluid in human veins. Defined diversely by theologians, medics, satirists and dramatists, it was matter, text, waste, cure, soul, God, and the means by which relationships were defined, sacramentalised and destroyed. Blood was also a controversial ingredient in the production of matter, from organic and medical to mechanical and alchemical. Debates about the nature and function of blood raised questions about the limits of identity, God’s will for his creatures, science’s encounter with the self, and the structure of families and communities, and its impact was felt in artistic constructions on stage, in print, and on canvas. Discussions will cover a range of topics including blood and revenge, blood and gender, blood and genre, royal blood, blood and wounding, blood and race, blood on the stage, blood and witchcraft, blood and sacrifice.
5.09 medical blood: spontaneous bleeding
22.09 medical blood: women, menstruation and lactation
29.09 bleeding trees and bleeding heroes: Dream of the Rood
06.10 bloody knights: Malory’s Sir Perceval, Sir Urry
13.10 Jewish blood: the Croxton Play of the Sacrament
20.10 sacramental blood: the Croxton Play II
27.10 blood and the Grail: Chretien de Troyes
03.11 contemplative blood: Julian
10.11 affective blood: passion lyrics
17.11 bloody sheets, bloody cloths
24.11 blood and witches, blood and kings
01.12 stage blood
08.12 No class
15.12 Conclusions
Objectifs
- Developing knowledge of Middle English language
- Understanding of medieval scientific theories about blood
- Appreciation of the medieval theological discussions about blood, particularly in relation to the Eucharist
- Acquaintance with medieval medical and alchemical ideas
- Knowledge of blood in medieval theatre, and associated ‘special effects’
- Appreciation of blood and its signification in medieval romance