In this seminar we take an interdisciplinary view on medievalism in political discourse, literary and musical works, and 21st-century popular culture. We will begin by reading 2-3 theoretical texts to ground us in our study and discuss some of the ways the medieval has been used in social and political spheres. Our focus will then turn to early 20th-century medievalist works: T.S. Eliot, Murder in the Cathedral (1935), Paul Hindemith’s opera (text and music) Mathis der Maler, (1933-35), Carl Orff, Carmina Burana (text and music,1935-36), and Jean Anouilh, L’Alouette (Die Lerche, 1952). We will discuss the context in which the works were written and the ways in which the medieval is manipulated to comment upon current events. Students will be required to prepare short reports on the medieval origins, precedents, and/or elements, in one or two of the works studied. In the final part of the course students will research one aspect of medievalism in contemporary popular culture and evaluate its use, meaning, and importance in the chosen sphere, i.e. music, literature, cinema, games and video-games, as well as spectacles, fairs, LARP, etc. Regular attendance is encouraged. Discussion will be in English. Term papers may be written in English or in German.
- Kursleiter/in: Stephanie Glaser