Lit 126.1: Western Literature I

Western Literature I offers a survey of major literary works from the Classical Age to the Renaissance. Seven periods are identified (Classical, Medieval, Renaissance, Enlightenment, Romantic, Modern, and Postmodern) with the first four periods taught in the first term (in Lit 126.1) and the next three for Lit 126.2. A month is set aside for each period, for a total of four months of reading and two weeks for the introduction and final exams given a 4.5-month term. Two months are set aside for the Classical Age for this course.

The readings for both classes are inspired by the content of the Norton Anthology of World Masterpieces, which is linked in the Literature in General page.

The schedule is easy to follow and to remember: a work per week and three works for each historical period (except for the Classical Age, where two months are set aside), followed by a week set aside for evaluation (such as an open forum, examination, or essay).

The readings for this class also offer the following advantages: most are presented in their complete form and in most cases represent works that are readily available in the public domain. (A public domain textbook containing these works will be made available soon.)

Note: As much as possible, invest in copies of these works. They will never go out of style and will remain integral for one's liberal education. In book form, they are also more durable, can be changed to hardcover, and can be annotated with a pencil easily.

If, however, you are forced to use a public domain version, follow the advice given in the help page.

Week 01: Introduction

Week 02: The Iliad by Homer (pref. trans. Robert Fitzgerald)

You may also consider translations by Richard Lattimore and Robert Fagles. If you are need to use a public domain version, try Alexander Pope's translation which is linked in the page dedicated to Homer (which includes other resources about Homer and his works).

In any event, try to avoid prose versions.

Week 03: The Odyssey by Homer (pref. trans. Robert Fitzgerald)

The same applies for this work, although for the public domain version one might consider Cowper's translation. Again, check the Homer page linked above for details.

Week 04: Agamemnon by Aeschylus (pref. trans. Robert Fagles)

For a public domain HTML version, you may try E.D.A. Morshead's translation which can be found here.

Week 05: Review; Evaluation

See the Specific Films page for links to Bicycle Thief.

Week 06: Oedipus Rex by Sophocles (trans. Robert Fagles)

For a public domain HTML version, try F. Storr's translation found here.

Week 07: Medea by Euripedes (trans. Rex Warner)

Or try this public domain HTML version from E.P. Coleridge.

Week 08: The Aeneid by Virgil (prefl trans. Robert Fitzgerald)

You may also use the HTML version of Edward Fairfax Taylor's translation found here.

Week 09: Review; Evaluation

Week 10: Beowulf (pref. trans. Seamus Heaney)

You may also use Burton Raffel's translation or HTML versions translated by Morris or Hall.

Week 11: Dante's Inferno (pref. trans. John Ciardi)

You may also use translations by Pinsky, Hollander, or Mandelbaum. For public domain versions, try Longfellow's translation which is linked here together with other resources.

Week 12: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (pref. trans. Marie Borroff)

Besides Burton Raffel's translation, you may also consider public domain versions by Jessie Weston and W.A. Neilson linked here. Both are in prose form.

An alternative is the Nibelungenlied (pref. trans. Burton Raffel). For a public domain HTML version, try George Henry Needler's translation found here.

Week 13: Review; Evaluation

Week 14: Doctor Faustus by Christopher Marlowe

Also known as The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus; consider an edition with annotations, an introduction, and other references. You may also use this public domain version from the 1614 quarto.

Week 15: Shakespeare's Hamlet

This work should be readily available, and may be included with other works (which you should read as part of your personal education). In any event, try to get an edition published by mainstream publishers and that comes with annotations, line numbers, an introduction, and so forth. The edition from Folger Library is fine.

For various public domain versions, visit the Shakespeare page.

Week 16: Paradise Lost by John Milton

The same applies to this work. And for links to various sources, visit the Milton page.

Week 17: Review; Evaluation

Week 18: Final Examination