Overview of Comprehensive Examination

Period Reading Lists

Part II Primary Text(s)

British Literature: Medieval

This list has been replaced by a new list (click here). Examinees may choose to use the list below or the new list for the Fall 2009. For the Spring 2010 exam, all examinees in this area must use the new list.

Old English

Beowulf

Texts in The Anglo Saxon World, Ed. Kevin Crossley-Holland

Middle English

Lawman, the Brut

Sir Orfeo and the English Lanval

Chaucer, Canterbury Tales

Chaucer, Shorter Poem and Dream Visions, including Book of the Duchess, Parliament of Fowles, House of Fame, Legend of Good Women

Chaucer, Troilus and Criseyde

Langland, Piers Plowman

Julian of Norwich, Book of Showings

Book of Margery Kempe

Works of the Pearl Manuscript

Gower, Confessio Amantis

And entire play cycle, either Wakefield or York

Morality Plays: Everyman and Mankind

Malory, Mort d'Arthur