IMC 2003: Sessions
Session 1510: Medieval X-Files: From Pagan to Christian in Romance
Thursday 17 July 2003, 09.00-10.30
| Sponsor: | Glasgow Centre for Medieval and Renaissance Studies |
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| Organiser: | Alaric Hall, Helsinki Collegium for Advanced Studies, University of Helsinki |
| Moderator/Chair: | Graham D. Caie, School of Critical Studies (English Language), University of Glasgow |
| Paper 1510-a | 'Waz ist got': Religion as Social Initiation in Parzival (Language: English) Index terms: Gender Studies, Language and Literature - German, Lay Piety, Mentalities |
| Paper 1510-b | Myth and Symbol in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (Language: English) Index terms: Language and Literature - Celtic, Language and Literature - Middle English, Mentalities, Pagan Religions |
| Paper 1510-c | Elf-Knights, Witches, Women and Romance (Language: English) Index terms: Gender Studies, Lay Piety, Mentalities, Sexuality |
| Abstract | Medieval romance, as has long been recognised, is poised between traditional cultures with roots in non-Christian world-views (both secular and pre-Christian) on the one hand, and the concerns of an elite theological culture on the other. This session will utilise and explore this principle, discussing how romance mediates between these competing forces of medieval culture to illuminate their relationship in medieval life. The supernatural, as an aspect of romance which is especially ideologically charged, provides the focus of the session. In particular, papers will consider supernatural lovers; the changing uses of traditional symbols; attitudes to non-Christians; and the relationship between narrative and self-perception in medieval society. |