Product Description

In the 250 years represented in this book, literature reflects key transitions, embedded as it is in far reaching political, religious and socio economic transformations. It tracks some of the resulting tensions in various genres, especially those that re-integrate or respond to the traditional. Such literature is examined by using the tools of rhetoric and semiotics, interpreting from the author audience axis and focusing on dissonant markers in canonical, as well as, less well known narratives. SunHee Kim Gertz looks at the history and culture of the era in order to contextualize the work she examines, including "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight", "The Book of Margery Kemp", "Le Morte D'Arthur" and "A Midsummer Night's Dream". Offering a fresh perspective on a period of rich literary output, that students often find difficult to engage, this should prove to be a welcome guide and critical companion.

Product Details

• Published on: 2000-11-27
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 262 pages

Review
.,."should serve equally well as a companion text in a survey course of as a model for including theory or introducing marginalized texts..." -- "Sixteenth Century Journal"

About the Author
SUNHEE KIM GERTZ is Professor of English at Clark University, Worcester, Massachusetts.