This survey of the major medieval and Renaissance English poets treats 
selections from Chaucer's _Canterbury Tales_, Spenser's _Fairie Queene_, 
Shakespeare's I Henry 4_ and Milton's _Paradise Lost_, in addition to readings 
of short lyrical poems by Wyatt, Sidney, Spenser, Marlowe, Ralegh, Shakespeare 
and Donne.  Class discussion will concentrate on interpreting these texts  in 
terms of their historical contexts as well as their own intrinsic 
significance. We will also consider ways in which these works make themselves 
felt in contemporary America as seen, for example, in a film such as _My Own 
Private Idaho_.  Students will be expected to attend class regularly and to 
participate actively in discussion. In addition there will be  two short 
essays (5-10 pages each) assigned and a final ("open book") examination.