ENG 220 - BRITISH ROMANTICISM & THE GOTHIC: Haunted Castles & Ruined Cottages

Institution:

University of Rochester

Subject:

Description:

In the 18th and 19th centuries, Gothic literature rose to heights of unprecedented popularity. Themes of specters, damsels in distress, and haunted castles thrilled audiences that crossed class lines, and authors like the “Great Enchantress” Anne Radcliffe were celebrities of their day. However, the Gothic was considered to be a low genre, whose emphases on violence, horror, and spectacle were dangerous for readers. The poets and authors of the Romantic movement tried to distinguish their works from their Gothic contemporaries. Wordsworth's “Preface to Lyrical Ballads” commented on “sickly . . . German Tragedies” that poisoned readers. S. T. Coleridge was shocked at The Monk's lurid descriptions of “libidinous” minutiae. But did Romantic authors protest too much? This class will explore this question and others through discussion of foundational Gothic and Romantic texts, ranging from Lewis's The Monk and Radcliffe's The Italian to Coleridge's vampire tale “Christabel”.

Credits:

4.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.rochester.edu

Phone Number:

(888) 822-2256

Regional Accreditation:

Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools

Calendar System:

Semester

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