Dr.

Christoph Greger
English 46A
Fall 2015

A Schedule of Assignments: 16th and

17th Centuries
(Subject to possible revisions, of course)

Wed 10/21:

Introduction: from Middle English to the English Renaissance.

Fri 10/23:

For today, please read book 1 of Thomas Mores Utopia. Look for two things in particular the
direct critiques that are presented of contemporary European practices (580-583 or so in the 9 th
edition), and the indirect critiques presented by the description of an imaginary society, called
the Polylerites (around p. 585-586).

Mon 10/26:

For today, please read the first half of Book 2 of Utopia, up to Their Philosophy (p. 613).
Special Reading Journal assignment identify one crazy practice of the Utopians. Describe
what it is, how it is supposed to work, the rationale behind it, and -- most importantly the
aspect of European society it is meant to critique.

Wed 10/28:

For today, finish up Utopia; do one more Reading Journal entry as described above.

Fri 10/30:

For today, read the first half of Christopher Marlowes play Doctor Faustus.

Mon 11/2:

For today, read the 2nd half of Faustus.

Wed 11/4:

Today were just going to dip into a little of Edmund Spenser. Please read about him in the
editors introductions both to the poet and the poem, and then read the first two cantos of book 1
of The Faerie Queen.

Fri 11/6:

Edmund Spenser, Cantos 3 and 4 from Book 1 The Faerie Queen.

Mon 11/9:

For today, read through the first half of Sir Philip Sydneys Defense of Poesy (pp. 1044-1066,
roughly). Its a bit of a dense read, but is really useful in understanding why poetry has the high
position it does within the English literary tradition. To make it easier and useful, try this
special Reading Journal assignment pick out & paraphrase 3 reasons Sydeny thinks poetry is
the highest form of thinking.

Wed 11/11:

Holiday: Veterans Day Observed

Fri 11/13:

Today well begin discussing the dominant poetic form of the era, the Sonnet. Please read the
anthologized Poetry and Sonnets of Wyatt, Surrey, and Sydney (Through our class discussion,
well compile a shortlist of sonnets in particular that you should be familiar with. Special RJ
assignments over the next few days pick out one sonnet each day, try and explain a) whats
going on in it and/or the poems conceit the clever idea motivating it; b) the affect or
emotion it seems to express; and c) note the figurative language and metaphors it plays with).

Mon 11/16:

Read the selection of Shakespeares Sonnets.

Wed 11/18:

One more day on Sonnets.

Fri 11/20:

Today well take a glimpse at the dark underworld of the Jacobean psyche: read John Webster,
The Duchess of Malfi (p. 1571, 9th edition)

Mon 11/23:

Today well begin looking at some famous selections from 17th century poets: selections from
John Donne. Read the following poems: The Flea, The Sun Rising, The Indifferent,
Loves Alchemy, The Bait, A Valediction: Forbidden Mourning,; Satire 3, Sonnets 1,
5, 10, 17. As with the Sonnets, for the next two days you have a special RJ assignment -- pick
out one poem each day, try and explain the conceit behind it, the clever idea motivating it;
note figurative language and metaphors it plays with).

Wed 11/25:

Today, well look at samples from a few other important 17 th century poets: George Herberts
The Altar (page 1707); Easter Wings (1709); The Windows (1713); Time (1717); The
Collar (1720). Henry Vaughan: Regeneration (1728); The Retreat (1730); Finally, Andrew
Marvell: To His Coy Mistress (1796); The Mower Against the Gardens (1800); The
Garden (1804).

Fri 11/27:

Thanksgiving Holiday

Mon 11/30:

John Milton: Paradise Lost. For today, please read book 1.

Wed 12/2:

John Milton: Paradise Lost. For today, please read book 2.

Fri 12/4:

John Milton: Paradise Lost. Books 3 and 4.

Mon 12/7:

John Milton: Paradise Lost. Books 5 and 6.

Wed 12/9:

John Milton: Paradise Lost. Book 7 -9

Thu 12/10: Last day of classes.