History of Welsh literature 15-HLWAL-CE-11

This course discusses texts from the earliest times (sixth to ninth centuries) to contemporary literature. Both Welsh and English language texts are covered. The course begins with the poems of Taliesin and Aneirin (the so called Cynfeirdd), whose works are considered to be the earliest surviving examples of Welsh literature. After analysing the poetry of the Gogynfeirdd (12th to 14th centuries), attention is paid to the Cywyddwyr (14th to the 17th centuries) with emphasis in particular on the poetry of Dafydd ap Gwilym, considered to be one of the greatest Welsh poets of all. The aforementioned works are placed in the literary and historical context of the era, and read together with historical source texts. Lectures are also devoted to prose texts from the era especially the Mabinogion, the most famous collection of early Welsh prose. The course discusses the role of poets in medieval Welsh society and the features and construction of metrical verse. Subsequently, the Protestant reform movement as a literary trope will be analysed. Students will also study poetry against the background of the Methodist revival. They will learn about antiquarian and other works e.g. Archaeologia Brittanica, which represented an increased interest in native history and culture. Discussion about the produce of the nineteenth century opens with the literature associated with political ideologies and events - industrialization and Chartism, the quest for disestablishment, home rule and educational reforms. The students have the opportunity to familiarise themselves with these texts by reading 19th century articles from magazines such as ‘Cymru Fydd’ and ‘Young Wales’. Novels from this period of time, particularly those of Daniel Owen, as well as religious writing (especially the hymn writing tradition) are studied. The course closes with the literature of the 20th and 21st centuries. Amongst the authors covered are the First World War poet Ellis Humphrey Evans (Hedd Wyn), playwright, poet and political activist Saunders Lewis and the celebrated poet and playwright Dylan Thomas. Much attention is also devoted to the traditional Welsh cultural festival- the Eisteddfod- with its celebration of poetry, prose and performing arts.