ENGL 606b – Songs of Heaven and Hell: The Christian Epic

Class Time: Mondays 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. EST
Dates: Jan. 6 –  May 2
Credits:
Core | 3 credits
Instructor: Dr. Lesley-Anne Williams

Lesley-Ann Williams Portrait

While many associate the tradition of epic poetry with the pagan Greeks and Romans, both Dante and Milton qualify for the laurel crown right along with the best of them. These Christian epics, however, expand the focus to the whole sweep of history from the fall of Satan to the return of Christ and the whole cosmos of heaven and earth, hell and purgatory. In this course, we will look at The Divine Comedy, including discussion of its background in medieval philosophy and theology, and we will cover Paradise Lost, including reflection on the culture of post-Reformation England.
We will read: Inferno Intro and I–XI, Inferno XII–XXII, Inferno XXIII–XXXIII, Purgatorio I–XI, Purgatorio XII–XXII, Purgatorio XXIII–XXXIII, Paradiso I–XI, Paradiso XII–XXII, Paradiso XXIII–XXXIII, Paradise Lost I–II, Paradise Lost III–IV, Paradise Lost V–VI, Paradise Lost VII–VIII, Paradise Lost IX–X, and Paradise Lost XI–XII.
Payment Options
  • Deposit plus 3 Monthly Payments
    • Deposit plus 3 Monthly Payments $195.00

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