The Mirror Image: Reading, Writing, and Speculation in
Medieval European Texts

Meets with MESP-M 502
Time: TR 1:00-2:15           Prof. Rosemarie McGerr


One of the most intriguing images in medieval European literature is
the mirror or speculum.  One manifestation of this image is the
designation of a text as “mirror”; other manifestations include
references to literal mirrors, metaphoric mirrors, or instances of
mirroring within a text.  In this course, we will explore the
significance of the mirror as an image in medieval literature,
especially as the image relates to the depiction of the text as
mirror and the reading/writing process as an act of philosophical
speculation or reflection.   Issues for our consideration will
include representation of the material world as the mirror image of
some higher plane of reality, language as the mirror image of
nature, and women as the mirror images of men.

Our primary readings will include Dhuoda’s Manual for William, Alain
de Lille’s Complaint of Nature, Wolfram von Eschenbach’s Parzival,
Guillaume de Lorris and Jean de Meun’s Romance of the Rose, Heldris
of Cornwall’s Romance of Silence, Marguerite de Porete’s  Mirror of
Simple Souls, Dante’s Divine Comedy,  and selected lyric poems.  The
primary readings will be supplemented with readings in medieval and
modern critical works.

Students will make two class presentations (one on a critical
reading and one on the research project the student has chosen),
prepare a written proposal for the research project at mid-term, and
complete the written presentation of the research project for the
end of the semester.