15-PROSEMII-I-3BA-11
The reign of Elisabeth I (1558-1603), though rarely viewed linguistically as a unitary phenomenon, was one of the most crucial periods in the history of the English language. On a par with political and economic changes, which transformed England from a backwater country at the margin of Europe into an Atlantic superpower, its parochial language grew into a mode of communication comparable to Latin itself.
The aim of this proseminar is to understand the development of role,
perception, and structure of English during the lifetime of William
Shakespeare. We will look at a wide range of texts produced in that
period, interrogating their cruciality for the extralinguistic
developments they accompanied, illustrated, and narrated. We will also
look for ways in which late 16th century English remains relevant for
the early 21st century.
- Teacher: Marcin Krygier