Writing in the Margins
English 410, Elizabethan poetry. At times, the bane of my Winter 2014 semester existence (the misogyny in the poems! The lack of sexual consent! THE GENDER ISSUES!!!!) but also strangely alluring…
And so, despite (or because?) epic poetry is such a slog for me, I decided to extend the semester of Elizabethan poetry into a whole spring and summer of Epic Poetry (and Beyond! Watch for Don Quixote coming up once we finish the Faerie Queene, and feel free to make your own suggestions).
Although this reading group grows out of English 410, Writing in the Margins is, and always will be, committed to expanding beyond the campus, and making writing and reading accessible to a wider audience. So whether you’re a university or college student (at any institution), an independent scholar, an armchair medievalist or Elizabethan enthusiast, or just a fan of faeries (and really, who isn’t?), you’re welcome to join.
We will be meeting on biweekly Tuesday evenings, starting May 13. We will be meeting on or near the University of Calgary campus, and I will look at booking us a library room once I have an idea of how many people are interested in participating. If coming onto campus is intimidating for you as a non-student, send me a text at 403-701-1489 and we will arrange to meet up either at the train station or at Brentwood and arrive together so that you don’t get lost.
Our “official” text will be the A.C. Hamilton translation, and I will be a placing an order with Shelf Life Books (who have been wonderfully supportive of our previous book clubs) once I have an idea of numbers. However, you are welcome to participate whether you use this translation, another translation, an audio edition or a free online version. If you would like a copy of the Hamilton translation ordered for you, please let me know by April 27.
The reading group will focus explicitly (but not exclusively) on critical readings of Spenser’s gender and sex politics. Queering Elizabethan poetry? Heck yes!
There is no cost or suggested donation to participate in this group.
