A Germanic Hero and His Afterlife: Walter’s Poem
MEDLATIN 105
Subject & Catalog Number
Course Information
Description
Studies a short epic about an early Germanic warrior, Walter of Aquitaine, in the late Roman era of Attila the Hun. Considers date and authorship, heroism and gender roles, tribal and racial rivalries (including Franks and Goths) in Charlemagne’s time and later, manuscript transmission, and literary reception (from romanticism through the Nazi era to the present). Sets the style and content of the poem into both Germanic and Latin contexts, with comparison of versions in Old Norse and other languages in translation as well as sources and analogues in Latin.
Class Notes
Students should not enroll who will have to miss classes for extracurricular commitments.
This course can be used to fulfill the Literature & Language distribution requirement for the undergraduate secondary field in Medieval Studies. This course can also be counted towards the requirements for the graduate secondary field in Medieval Studies.
Recommended Prep
Latin 10 or equivalent experience; please consult with the Senior Preceptor in Classics (livings@g.harvard.edu).
Available for Harvard Cross Registration
