Seminar: Martyrdom and Sacrifice in Medieval Literature
A seminar for MA students
There is perhaps no more potent way to show commitment to an ideal or a cause than being prepared to die for it. From the early Christian martyrs to soldiers who died in two world wars, European culture has valorised the idea of self-sacrifice. More troubling are stories of those who sacrifice others, particularly fathers who are ready to kill their children -- Abraham and Isaac, Jephthah and his daughter, Agamemnon and Iphigenia: how should these stories be understood in the light of prohibitions on killing? In this course we will examine the strategies by which medieval writers dealt with stories of sacrifice and martyrdom from pagan, Christian and Jewish traditions. We will look at cultural conceptions of martyrdom, and consider the relevance of gender to portrayals of heroic sacrifice, as well as examining how images of martyrdom and sacrifice change through medieval centuries. Finally, we will explore ways in which myths and imagery surrounding martyrdom and sacrifice are deployed today.
The course will inevitably include sensitive material. Students should be ready to read independently, participate in class, and locate and research material for themselves. Assessment for the course may include: oral presentation, in-class exam, seminar paper.
- Enseignant·e: Elisabeth Dutton