10.26.08
Senior Seminar decision
I’ve decided to study sonnet sequences next semester. Lovely material. You can learn more here: http://titania.stockton.edu/sonnets/.
10.19.08
2nd Take home examination
Below is a link to the second take home examination, due November 3rd.
10.17.08
AC High Reads Chaucer
On Thursday, October 16th, I spent the day at Atlantic City High. I had been invited by a Stockton alum and friend Mr. Kearney to introduce middle English pronunciation to 4 of his English classes. The students are starting to read The Canterbury Tales, and he thought it would be useful if they learned some approximation of Chaucer’s language. So, I worked with each class on reading the first 18 lines of the “General Prologue” aloud. You can hear the results of about 35 minutes explanation and practice below.
AC High 2nd Period [1:31m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download AC High 3rd Period [1:11m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download AC High 5th period [1:06m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download AC High 6th period [1:12m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download10.12.08
Medieval & Early Modern Studies Symposium
Here is a link to the November 7th symposium I mentioned last time. The blurb reads in part: “Please join us for the inaugural event of the GW Medieval and Early Modern Studies Institute (GW MEMSI), a symposium on Touching the Past. The symposium begins at 1:30 in the fourth floor conference room of Phillips Hall (Academic Center, 801 22nd St NW) and lasts until 5.” Think about this.
10.08.08
Sick Day
Folks, I woke up under the weather today and decided that the better part of valor was not to come to school and infect all of you with my disease.
Please keep reading and thinking about the Wife of Bath’s prologue and tale. I had an excellent reading of both yesterday, and am sorry to miss today’s class. You might spend some time practicing your reading aloud — I did about 20 minutes of that yesterday, too. See if you can start dreaming in middle English.
We’ll catch up when we can.
Tom Kinsella
PS. If you haven’t already done so, skip down two messages and read about medieval cats. I was going to have you do that during class today.
10.04.08
Medieval Cats
Here are a few references on Medieval Cats. “Pangur Ban” at the bottom is a favorite. The page was forwarded to me by Professor Tompkins.
09.28.08
The Knight’s Tale in a Hurry
Chaucer’s “Knight’s Tale” is deeply significant to a thorough understanding of The Canterbury Tales. Given our 13-week semester (oops, I mean 15 weeks), though, we will be saving our deep dose of chivalry for later in the semester with Troilus and Criseyde.
It’s still a good idea to understand the bare bones of the “Knight’s Tale.” To that end I’ve linked to three “summary” pages. Are they an adequate substitute for reading the tale? No. but they’ll cover the major points against which we can better understand the “Miller’s Tale.”
The “Knight’s Tale” from Gradesaver
The “Knight’s Tale” from BookRags
The “Knight’s Tale” from CliffNotes on Yahoo
09.26.08
Miller Readings
Below you can hear Melinda and Nick’s readings of the Miller’s description in the General Prologue. Nicely done.
Melinda's Miller [1:52m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download Nick's Miller [1:24m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download09.23.08
Wimple
Wimple. I love the word. Below is a painting of one by Robert Campin.
from the University of British Columbia, Theatre pages on costume.
