Travel in the Renaissance and the Literature of Discovery

3 units

Improved modes of transportation under the king Francis I facilitated travel in the Renaissance. Men and women were able to view famous cultural monuments on their continent and explore parts of the world where no one had ventured before, returning home with vivid tales of distant lands and exotic peoples. With the advent of the printing press, such fascinating stories were made available to a wider audience. This course examines this literature of discovery, paying special attention to the multiple genres that flourished at the time (historical narratives, diaries, correspondences, travelogues, elegiac poetry, adventure novels) as well as the historical and cultural contexts of these works. Other questions addressed include national identity and cultural differences, cultural interactions and influences, international relations, the impact of humanism, and the concept of CURIOSITAS. Prereq: Fr 325 and Fr 326 or one of these courses and the equivalent WU transfer literature course from Toulouse or Paris. One-hour preceptorial required for undergraduates.