Classical Poetry

 This course is a study of poetic forms from English verse. Important biographical details in the lives of selected poets, the influence of historical, cultural, and artistic context on selected major works, and the use of literary devices will be analyzed.

Intended learning outcomes 

The course aims at  :

  •  Introducing the students to the classical period of English Poetry beginning from the Medieval Period to its growth and development into the Eighteenth Century.
  • Hence selections of poetry composed by the most representative poets of the respective eras are included in it. It begins from Chaucer in the 14th century and ends with the neo-classical period of Pope in 18th century. The selection is intended to make the readers aware of not only the development of genres but also the development of English Language.

              Class Timings 

             BS IV (SS) 

           Mon-Tue:        3:30-5:00 PM

           Course Material

 Course Outline, Learning Outcomes, Recommended Books, Weekly Plan and Assessment Criteria

Course outline 

I-​Chaucer:

​A-​The Prologue to the Canterbury Tales

II-​Spencer:

​A-​The Faerie Queen (Book 1 canto1)

III-​John Milton:

A- Paradise lost

Book 1 (line 1-100) & speeches f Satan​

B- Book ii speeches f Adam and Eve​

IV-​William Shakespeare’s Sonnets

  •            A. When I consider everything that grows
  •         B. Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?
  •        C.   Weary with toil I haste me to my bed
  •          D. Why didst thou  promise such a beauteous  day.       
  •         E.  That thou hast her it is not all my grief .
  •         F. Take all my loves, my love, ye take them all
  •           G. What  is your substance ,whereof are you made?
  •         H.  how much more doth beauty beauteous seem?

Suggested Readings :

          History of English Literature by T. Singh

  • Skeat: Textual Analysis
  • Bowden, M. (1967) A Commentary on the Prologue. MacMillan.
  • Kermode, F. (1971) Shakespeare , Spenser, Donne (Introduction). Routledge&Kegan Paul.
  • Leishman; “The Monarch of wit”.
  • Beer, P. (1972) The Metaphysical Poets. McMillan.
  • Dyson, A.E(ed) (1966) Heroic Poetry. McMillan.
  • Daiches, D. (1971) Milton. Hutchinson & Co.
  • B.Rajan” ‘The Lofty  Rhyme’
  • Fraser, G. (1978) Alexander Pope. Routledge&Kegan Paul.
  • Rudrum, A. (1968)  Milton. McMillan.
  • Quennell, P. (1968) Alexander Pope. Weildfeld& Nicolson 

 

Weeks  Topics  Readings 
1

 

Poetry & its types :

 subjective poetry, objective poetry

  
2

ntroduction of Chaucer, Age of Chaucer,

 Arrival of Renaissance in England 

  
3

ntroduction of Chaucer, Age of Chaucer,

 Arrival of Renaissance in England 

 

  
4

Text: 

Prologue to Canterbury Tales

 

  
5

John Milton

Introduction to Puritan Age and Role of Milton in contemporary political scenario

 

  
6

Paradise Lost book 1 :

 Text

 

  
7

Paradise Lost book II : 

Text

  
8 DISCUSSION, REVISION , FEEDBACK,  ASSESSMENT  
9

Shakespeare as Poet : 

introduction to Shakespearean sonnet 

  
10

When I consider everything that grows

         Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?

         Weary with toil I haste me to my bed

         Why didst thou  promise such a beauteous day?

 

  
11

That thou hast her it is not all my grief .

         Take all my loves, my love, ye take them all

         What is your substance ,whereof are you made?

        how much more doth beauty beauteous seem?

 

  
12

Edmund Spencer

Introduction of poet and Elizabethan Era

  
13

Text: Faerie Queen

  
14 Text: Faerie Queen  
15 Text: Faerie Queen  
16 Discussion,Revision,Feedback  
17 Presentations   
18 ASSESSMENT  

 

Evaluation / Assessment criteria

sessional :      20

Mid term exam/Assessment : 30

Final term exam/Assessment: 50

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