High School Literature 2: The Middle Ages

Classical Track

$579.00 for LIVE

$249.00 for Self-Paced

This course covers the great epics of the middle ages and the legends of King Arthur, including a 20th century novel on the subject. We linger on the English language's greatest writer, William Shakespeare, sampling some of his tragedies, comedies, histories, and sonnets. The course concludes with a selection of metaphysical poetry from the 17th century.

This class meets on Tuesdays at 1 pm, Eastern Standard Time.

Note: Space is limited. Be sure to enroll early to secure your spot.

  • STUDENT EXPECTATIONS

    • Attend a one-hour, weekly, live course session

    • Complete each week’s assigned reading

    • Take a short, online, comprehension quiz each week

    • Answer an online, discussion question each week

    • Submit two literary papers and one creative project.

  • • Students have access to recorded lectures on each reading assignment.

    • Students have access to weekly reading pacing guides and auto-graded quizzes.

    Although we recommend following the syllabus in order, students are free to choose what to read and when.

    • This class does not include live class sessions or teacher support. Learn more about self-paced classes here.

    • All recordings will be available from September 2 through the end of the following August.

  • There are many options for acquiring these books. You can purchase them from a local or online retailer. You can check them out of the library. For most, you can download electronic versions or access them online and read them on your computer screen.

    If a particular edition or translation is listed, it is important to acquire that version. If no specifics are included, any version will work.

    Beowulf (Seamus Heaney translation)

    The Inferno, by Dante (John Ciardi translation)

    The Canterbury Tales, by Geoffrey Chaucer (We will be reading the Prologue and the four tales below. You can either find them on line or purchase the whole book.)

    • The Prologue

    • “The Knight’s Tale”

    • “The Franklin’s Tale”

    • “The Pardoner’s Tale”

    • “The Nun’s Priest’s Tale”

    “Gawain and the Green Knight” (J.R.R. Tolkien translation)

    The Once and Future King, by T.S. White

    Le Morte D’Arthur, Sir Thomas Malory (Excerpts provided in digital form; no need to buy.)

    Utopia, by Thomas More

    Fierce Wars and Faithful Loves: Book I of Spenser’s The Faerie Queene, by Roy Maynard

    Various Essays by Michel de Montaigne (Nothing to buy here; digital copies provided.)

    Dr. Faustus, by Christopher Marlowe

    Hamlet, by William Shakespeare

    Macbeth, by William Shakespeare

    Henry IV, Part 1, by William Shakespeare

    Henry IV, Part 2, by William Shakespeare

    Henry V: 1989 Film directed by Kenneth Branagh or Part 4 of The Hollow Crown (You don’t need a print version of this play. Instead of reading this week, students will watch a film production. Both film options can be found via various streaming services.)

    A Midsummer Night’s Dream, by William Shakespeare

    Much Ado About Nothing, by William Shakespeare

    Shakespeare’s Sonnets (No need to buy; the poems are provided in the syllabus.)

    • "Sonnet #18"

    • "Sonnet #29"

    • "Sonnet #71"

    • "Sonnet #116"

    John Donne’s Poetry (No need to buy; the poems are provided in the syllabus.)

    • “Valediction: Forbidding Mourning”

    • “Holy Sonnet #5”

    • “Holy Sonnet #7”

    • “Holy Sonnet #10”

    • “Holy Sonnet #14”

    • “The Flea”

    Metaphysical Poetry (No need to buy; the poems are provided in the syllabus.)

    • “To His Coy Mistress” by Andrew Marvell

    • “To the Virgins” by Robert Herrick

    • “To Althea” by Richard Lovelace

    • “Why So Pale and Wan, Fond Lover?” by Sir John Suckling