Love in the Renaissance

In this module, we will work on Renaissance discourses of love: we will read the love poetry of Pierre de Ronsard (Les Amours,...

Love in the Renaissance

In this module, we will work on Renaissance discourses of love: we will read the love poetry of Pierre de Ronsard (Les Amours, 1552-84) and Louise Labé (Sonnets, 1555), as well as Marguerite de Navarre’s collection of short stories, the Heptaméron (1559). (We will start with Ronsard, followed by Labé, and then Navarre.) This will be an opportunity to explore key aspects of the period: love, of course, its different conceptions, themes and rituals; but also sex; eroticism; the representation of women and the body; poetry and the visual arts; imitation; petrarchism; neoplatonism.

In doing so, we will pay particular attention to three questions: How is it possible for a poet to do new things by imitating other poets, and to express something apparently as intimate and subjective as love by repeating familiar forms, words and images? What happens when women write in forms that had traditionally been used by men, and from passive objects of desire, suddenly become the active subjects of an erotic and artistic discourse? What do these literary texts tell us about the social and cultural history of love and sex in the Renaissance?

This module is delivered partly in French and partly in English.

Engineering Thinking I will give you an opportunity to explore and identify why the engineering is essential to the modern world. You will come to know how...

Module Content and Indicative Topics

This is an intermediate module which introduces students to the interdisciplinary field of critical heritage studies. Its...

Module Content and Indicative Topics

This is an intermediate module which introduces students to the interdisciplinary field of critical heritage studies. Its primary focus are the varied uses of the past – as (re)presented in different physical sites as well as other material and embodied forms – in the present day. The module will focus on a number of key issues and case studies which will vary from year to year. However, core issues explored in depth are for example:

collectors and the ‘collected’;
 trauma and memorialisation;
 culture and conflict;
 heritage and the imperial city;
Teaching Delivery

The core lectures introduce the broad parameters of the topic/events being studied, contextualizing debates and primary materials and providing indications of ways of thinking through materials being studied. Small group seminars are based on focused analysis and student discussion of close readings of materials and evaluation of varying kinds of evidence in the context set out by lectures. Details of which specific topics and/or events may comprise the primary focus and materials may vary from year to year. Field trips to selected memory sites in London accompany the lectures and class room seminars.



Recommended Reading

There is a vast scholarly literature on the themes covered by this module. The module readings will be made available online and introduce you to the most important scholarly contributions to the topics. We will also make use of high-quality online resources like podcasts, web databases, and discussion forums. A comprehensive reading list for preparing your essays will be posted on Moodle.



Please note: This module description is accurate at the time of publication. Amendments may be made prior to the start of the academic year.