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17th Century Literature (335-0-20)

Topic

Renouncing Love in 17th-Century Literature

Instructors

Matthieu Dupas
847/491-2772
1860 S. Campus Drive, Crowe Hall #2-139

Meeting Info

Kresge Centennial Hall 3-410: Tues, Thurs 12:30PM - 1:50PM

Overview of class

Love is a privileged theme in 17th-century French literature, particularly in the genres that were in vogue at the time: comedy, tragedy and the novel. The course focuses on the recurring motif of the renunciation of love in the writings of Molière, Corneille, Racine and Mme de La Fayette, all prominent authors of the classical canon. In each case, a character is morally obliged to renounce the love to which he or she still aspires. We will read these texts from the perspective of the history of gender, sexuality and affect in order to understand how 17th-century French literature has shaped our erotic and emotional modernity.

Class Materials (Required)

Molière: Les Précieuses Ridicules
Corneille: Le Cid
Racine : Bérénice
Molière : L'Ecole des femmes
La Fayette : La Princesse de Clèves

Class Attributes

Literature & Fine Arts Distro Area

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: Prerequisite: Students must have completed FRENCH 271-0, FRENCH 272-0, or FRENCH 273-0. Other students may register with instructor permission.