British Medieval Literature Lightning Literature

Covering literature by British authors from the medieval time period. Literature selections include: Beowulf - epic poem (anonymous author), Anglo-Saxon riddles, Piers the Ploughman - epic poem (possibly by William Landland), "York Mystery Play Cycle 42, The Ascension" - play (anonymous author), Sir Gawain and the Green Knight - epic poem (anonymous author), Selection from The Gest of Robyn Hode - epic poem (anonymous author), "St. Thomas Becket" from The Golden Legend - biography (anonymous author), andSelections from The Canterbury Tales (Geoffrey Chaucer).

Lessons include story telling, imagery, symbolism, characterization, persuasive writing, drama, and description. For example, Beowulf is used to teach foreshadowing, Piers the Ploughman teaches allegory, and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight teaches tone. This course makes an excellent companion for studying Medieval History. The Student Guide includes information about the authors, comprehension questions, writing exercises, discussion questions and project suggestions, reading lists appropriate to the period or subject, semester and full-year schedules, and a bibliography. The Teacher's Guide is needed if you want the answers to the comprehension questions. It also provides a teaching schedule, teaching and grading aids, and a copy of the writing exercises and discussion questions for the teacher's convenience.

This book is most useful for upper level students who have completed at least two previous high school level Lightning Literature courses and who are interested in medieval history and literature. It is more difficult than all the Lightning Literature courses except the Shakespeare courses. and who are studying modern history.