How have relationships between men and women been understood across the centuries? This seminar investigates gender roles and partnerships in the medieval and early modern world, focusing on literary reflections of love, conflict, power, and mutual respect. While misogyny shaped much of the period’s cultural discourse, a closer reading of texts reveals humor, struggle, and nuanced negotiations between the sexes. From bawdy and comedic fabliaux to courtly love poems and grief-stricken laments, participants will encounter a range of perspectives on intimacy, romance, and identity. These works offer both entertainment and valuable insights into the historical roots of modern gender dynamics. By examining the evolution of these relationships, we better understand how gender, desire, and emotion were expressed and experienced—and how those expressions continue to shape our world today.
Registration Opens Online:
Monday, August 4, 2025, at 8 AM (AZ Time)
