A Thought Too Far: A Case for a Corpus Approach to Bad Knowledge in Old English Literature

Cultivating the Heart: Feeling and Emotion in Twelfth- and Thirteenth-Century Religious Texts

CHAPTER 19 - How to Evaluate Literary Histories. II

English literature has undergone a remarkable transformation over the centuries, reflecting the sociopolitical, cultural, and philosophical shifts of each era. This paper explores the evolution of themes and narratives in English literature, tracing their development from the Anglo-Saxon period to contemporary times. It examines how historical contexts, literary movements, and changing worldviews have influenced storytelling, character development, and thematic concerns. The study delves into the medieval period’s focus on religious allegory and chivalric ideals, the Renaissance’s emphasis on humanism and individualism, and the Enlightenment’s rationalistic approach to literature. It also highlights the Romantic era’s fascination with nature, emotion, and the sublime, as well as the Victorian period’s engagement with social realism and moral questions. Moving into the modernist and postmodernist eras, the paper discusses the fragmentation of narrative structures, experimental storytelling techniques, and the increasing focus on psychological depth and existential themes. Furthermore, the review explores the impact of globalization and technological advancements on contemporary literature, including the rise of digital narratives and multicultural voices. It also considers how recurring motifs—such as identity, power, love, and conflict—have persisted but evolved in meaning and representation. By analyzing literary works across different periods, this paper underscores the dynamic nature of English literature and its ability to adapt to societal transformations. The findings emphasize that literature not only mirrors human experiences but also shapes cultural discourse. This study provides valuable insights into the continuous evolution of themes and narratives, reinforcing literature’s role as a crucial medium for understanding the human condition across different historical contexts.

Strange Likeness: The Use of Old English in Twentieth-Century Poetry. Chris Jones . Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2006. Pp. x+266.

The study of same‐sex desire in the medieval period has been heavily influenced by the work of John Boswell and Michel Foucault, and the debate between essentialism and social constructionism. The year 1990 was a watershed year for queer theory, with the publication of influential work by Sedgwick and Butler. However, work on medieval gender and sexuality has often ignored Old English literature and research in Old English studies has sometimes suffered from an emphasis on the heteronormative. Allen Frantzen's book, Before the Closet, put same‐sex desire in Old English literature on the map, and subsequent and current research draws productively on the insights of gender and queer theory. More work remains to be done in applying more recent queer theoretical writings to an early medieval context, and in researching the representations of female same‐sex interactions.

Introduction: Women's Literary Culture and Late Medieval English Writing

Michelet, Fabienne. 2006. Creation, Migration, and Conquest: Imaginary Geography and Sense of Space in Old English Literature. Oxford: Oxford University Press. $99.00 hc. xiv + 297 pp.Lavezzo, Kathy, 2006. Angels on the Age of the World: Geography, Literature, and English Community, 1000-1534. Ithaca and London: Cornell University Press. $65.00 hc./$29.95 sc. xiv + 191 pp.As is well known, in his influential 1983 book Imagined Communities Benedict Anderson placed the emergence of the concept of nationalism at the end of the eighteenth century. While generally accepting the conclusions of Anderson with respect to modern manifestations of nationalism, researchers in various disciplines have increasingly sought in the decades since Imagined Communities came out to broaden and complicate the notion of nationalism, or at least of national identity, and to identify versions of it in other historical and cultural contexts. In doing so, they have amply demonstrated that there are other perspectives on the idea of nation than those associated with modern Europe. Fabienne Michelet, in one of the books under consideration here, goes so far as to contend that hegemonic processes and attempts at delineating a national community are of all times (2006, 12). The two books reviewed in this article relate to the issue of perceptions of national identity in England. They take their place among important contributions in recent years that identify moments and processes associated with an emergent sense of English identity prior to the late-eighteenth-century, and, eschewing modern myths of origin, seek to disentangle such moments and processes from their ideological appropriation and annexation in the period of the development of 'Andersonian' nationalism, particularly in the nineteenth century. In exploring the theme of identity they both make innovative use of constructions of geography evident in the periods studied.Among such earlier moments and processes, particular attention has been paid to the early modern period (notably by Bernhard Klein), the later Middle Ages (as in the volume Imagining a Medieval English Nation, edited by Kathy Lavezzo), the thirteenth and early fourteenth century (by Thorlac Turville-Petre), and, above all, Anglo-Saxon England (with seminal contributions from Nicholas Howe, Sarah Foot and Kathleen Davis). Within Anglo-Saxon England, scholars studying constructions of national identity have focused particularly on the period of King Alfred (the late ninth century) and that of AElfric (the late tenth to early eleventh century), and have built too on earlier work by Patrick Wormald, who had identified Bede, writer of the 'foundational' Ecclesiastical History of the English People in the early eighth century, as a key inventor of the English. The book by Kathy Lavezzo reviewed in this essay sweeps from Anglo-Saxon England through to the later Middle Ages, as does Catherine Clarke's recent Literary Landscapes and the Idea of England, 700-1400. Another notable recent contribution to the debate about emerging English identity has come in a perceptive essay from Nicole Guenther Discenza, A Map of the Universe: Geography and Cosmology in the Program of Alfred the Great, attending, as do the books under review here, to notions of center and margin.Apprehension of the concern for national identity in the medieval period has been distracted by too unreflective an acceptance of Anderson's particular definition of nationalism and also, as studied notably by Patrick Geary and Alien Frantzen, by the muddying effect of romantic constructions of early national history, which achieved their high point in the era of 'nation forging' in the nineteenth century, mythologizing what were seen as originary periods in the early medieval past. Through the application of cultural theory and careful analysis of texts from the medieval period itself, the books under review get us beyond such limitations and provide ways of seeing how medieval communities might have imagined themselves. …

THIS volume maps the diverse body of Middle English lyric poetry in a way that will be valuable to the study of both medieval literature and the English lyric, the medieval roots of which are too often overlooked. Thomas G. Duncan's introduction establishes the importance and innovativeness of the Middle English lyric, which launched the lyric form in English literature along with the theme of romantic love. However, he also acknowledges the difficulties of the subject. Most Middle English lyrics are anonymous, and the haphazard nature of their transmission means that our record is far from complete, both facts that constitute barriers to students’ appreciation of the texts. This book renders the subject accessible, with its thorough surveys and up-to-date presentation of research in the area, particularly research into manuscript collections carried out over recent decades. Because so many lyrics are anonymous, manuscripts provide crucial contexts for reading and research. Julia Boffey gives a comprehensive introduction to the manuscripts and begins to explore difficult but essential questions concerning the lyrics’ functions and dissemination through different social groups. Boffey suggests that lyric ‘seems to have played a part in almost all forms of cultural production throughout the medieval period’ (18), which should give some idea of the magnitude of this volume's scope. Most of the essays integrate discussion of the manuscripts with their analyses, but this survey provides a vital starting place and is complemented by Duncan's discussion of the presentation of lyrics by modern editors.

Using literature in language teaching as authentic material has many advantages such as developing learners’ intercultural competence, personal involvement, proficiency in the target language, creativity, critical, and analytical thinking, interpreting, speaking and communication skills. Correspondingly, the purposes of this study are to explore how many state universities have the syllabus for English Literature courses on their official websites and to find out the most preferred topics of English Literature courses in ELT programs. As a part of the qualitative data collection, online curriculums of 59 state universities were explored to find the most preferred topics of these courses. Based on the findings of the study, out of 59 universities, only 37 universities’ online syllabi of “English Literature Course I and II” were available. Also, common topics in English Literature courses’ syllabi of 37 universities were listed. Medieval English Literature - The Canterbury Tales Geoffrey Chaucer, Old English Period - Beowulf, and Elizabethan Era - Shakespeare were among the most preferred topics, while Middle Age period: historic, social, literary events, Contemporary English Literature, 20th-century literature were the least preferred ones. In the conclusion part of the study, some suggestions were presented for syllabi of English Literature courses in ELT departments of universities.

Literature Counts: The Feelings of <i>Overwhelmed</i>

The medieval period was one of extraordinary literary achievement sustained over centuries of great change, anchored by the Norman invasion and its aftermath, the re-emergence of English as the nation's leading literary language in the fourteenth century and the advent of print in the fifteenth. This Companion spans four full centuries to survey this most formative and turbulent era in the history of literature in English. Exploring the period's key authors - Chaucer, Langland, the Gawain-Poet, Margery Kempe, among many - and genres - plays, romances, poems and epics - the book offers an overview of the riches of medieval writing. The essays map out the flourishing field of medieval literary studies and point towards new directions and approaches. Designed to be accessible to students, the book also features a chronology and guide to further reading.

This paper explores the evolution of biosciences in India, tracing its development from ancient to contemporary times and examining its trajectory as a significant player in the global scientific community. The historical roots are deeply embedded in traditional practices such as Ayurveda, which laid the groundwork for early understandings of health and medicine. The medieval period saw significant cross-cultural exchanges with Islamic scholars, enriching Indian medical knowledge and influencing global medicine. The colonial era introduced Western methodologies, establishing modern medical colleges and research institutions that laid the foundation for formal scientific education and innovation. Post-independence, India made considerable strides in building robust research institutions and advancing fields like biotechnology, with landmark achievements such as the Green Revolution and advancements in cancer treatment. The contemporary era highlights India's leadership in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, with hubs like Genome Valley driving innovation and making significant contributions to global health through affordable medications and vaccine development. Despite these successes, challenges such as funding limitations, infrastructure gaps, and the need for sustained policy support persist. Emerging fields like synthetic biology and AI in genomics present opportunities for future breakthroughs. The paper concludes that India's synthesis of traditional and modern scientific practices positions it for continued leadership in the biosciences, fostering a future of innovation and global collaboration.

Northern Memories and the English Middle Ages

Early English period

Marathi abstract: अववल इगरजी कालखडात अवतरलली व अनकरणात अडकलली मराठी कादबरी कालातरान सवततर आणि लोकपरिय झाली. 1841 मधय हरी कशवजीची ‘यातरिक करमण’ ही भाषातरित कादबरी मराठी कादबरीचया निरमितीचा आणि वाटचालीचा खरा परारभ होता. 1857 मधय बाबा पदमनजीनी ‘यमना परयटन अथवा हिद विधवाचया सथितीच निरपण’ या पहिलया सवततर सामाजिक कादबरीची निरमिती कली. ‘यमना परयटन’ कादबरीचया निरमितीनतर पाच वरषानी आलली लकषमणशासतरी हळब याची ‘मकतामाला’ ही अदभतरमय कादबरी अतयत लोकपरिय झाली. 1861 त 1885 हा काळ तर ‘मकतामालायग’ महणन ओळखला जातो. अदभतरमय कादबऱयानी जोर पकडला असताना ऐतिहासिक कादबरी हा परकार पढ आला. रा.भि. गजीकराची ‘मोचनगड’, वि.ज. पटवरधनाची ‘हबीरराव व पतळाबाई’, ना.वि. बापटाचया ‘सभाजी ’आणि ‘चितरगडाचा वढा’ या कादबऱया गाजलया. 1939 साली परकाशित झाललया ‘रणागण’ या विशराम बडकराचया वशिषटयपरण कादबरीमळ मराठी कादबरीला एक नव चतनयदायी वळण मिळाल. समकालीन वाचकाचया आवडीनिवडी आणि सखासीन कादबरीकड तरणाचा ओढा लकषात घऊन फडक, खाडकर, माडखोलकर अशा कादबरीकारानी रजनवादी कादबरी पढ आणली. ‘परम’ हा विषय मोठया परमाणावर हाताळन नायक-नायिकची भट-ओळख-परम-भटीगाठी-वाद-ताटातट-विरह-पनरमिलन हा मारग तसच आदि-मधय-अत याच पदधतीन शवट गोड करण, हच ततर रजनवादी कादबरीच होत. साधारणतः 1935 त 1940 चया दरमयान मराठी परादशिक कादबरीचा आणखी एक परवाह आला. परादशिक कादबरी ही वयकतिपरधान कादबरीचया अगदी विरदध टोकाची होती. 1939 साली र.वा. दिघ यानी ‘पाणकळा’ची निरमिती करन मराठी परादशिक कादबरीचा पाया रचला. र.वा. दिघ, शरी.ना. पडस, गो.नी. दाडकर, वयकटश माडगळकराचया परादशिक कादबरीन हा परकार अतयत लोकपरिय कला. वयकती आणि समाज याचयातील परातमतचया जाणिवतन मराठी कादबरीत असतितववादी कादबरीचा परवाह निरमाण झाला. ‘कोसला’, ‘ब. अनिरदध धोपशवरकर’, ‘वासनाका’, ‘कोडरा’ अशा कादबऱयातन या असतितववादी जाणिवा दिसन पडतात. एकदरीत विविध लखकानी कादबरीच विविध परकार लीलया हाताळन मराठी कादबरीला समदध कल. English abstract: The Marathi novel, which originated in the early English period and was imitated, eventually became independent and popular. In 1841, Hari Keshavji's translated novel 'Yatrik Kraman' was the real beginning of the production and movement of Marathi novels. In 1857, Baba Padmanji produced the first independent social novel, 'Yamuna Paryatan Athwa Hindu Vidhwanchya Sthitiche Nirupan'. Five years after the production of the novel 'Yamuna Paryatan', Laxman Shastri Halbe's wonderful novel 'Muktamala' became very popular. The period from 1861 to 1885 is known as 'Muktamalayug'. This type of historical novel came to the fore when wonderful novels gained momentum. R.B. Gunjikar’s ‘Mochangad’, V.J. Patwardhan's 'Hambirrao ani Putlabai', N.V. Bapat's novels 'Sambhaji' and 'Chiturgadacha Vedha' were popular. Vishram Bedekar's characteristic novel 'Ranangan' published in 1939 gave a new impetus to Marathi novels. Novelists like Phadke, Khandekar, Madkholkar brought forward Ranjanwadi novels keeping in view the preferences of contemporary readers and the tendency of the youth towards happy novels. The technique of Ranjanist novels is to sweeten the ending of the hero-heroine meeting-identity-love-meeting-argument-divorce-separation-reunion as well as the beginning-middle-end in the same way by handling the subject of 'love' on a large scale. Generally, between 1935 and 1940, another stream of Marathi regional novels came. The regional novel was the exact opposite of the individualistic novel. In 1939, R.W. Dighe laid the foundation of a Marathi regional novel by producing 'Panakala'. R.W. Dighe, S.N. Pendse, G.N. Dandekar, Vyankatesh Madgulkar's regional novels made this genre very popular. Awareness of the supremacy between the individual and the society created the flow of existentialist novels in Marathi novels. ‘Kosala’, ‘Barister Aniruddha Dhopeshwarkar ', ' Vasunaka ', ' Kondura' are some of the novels that show this existential consciousness. On the whole, various writers have enriched the Marathi novel by handling different types of novels.