Literature and Mythology
Code
711091131
Academic unit
Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas
Department
Estudos Portugueses
Credits
6
Teacher in charge
Gustavo Rubim
Weekly hours
4
Teaching language
Portuguese
Objectives
First or elementary knowledge of the anthropological aspects of literary imagination. Acknowledgement of the traditional function of mythology in post-Renaissance literatures. Studying the reinvention of myths and myth criticism in post-Romantic literatures.
Prerequisites
Not applicable.
Subject matter
1. Literature and mythic imagination
1.1. Classic references: Sumeria and ancient Greece.
1.2. Modern references: the myth of Robinson Crusoe.
1.3. Myth in literary theory: a) Aristotle; b) Northrop Frye.
1.4. Myth from an anthropological point of view.
2. Mythic Imagination in the Renaissance
2.1. The Lusiads: epics, myth and eschatology in Camões.
2.1.1. Composition and meaning of «Venus Island» episode.
2.1.2. Hermeneutic debate on «Venus Island» episode.
3. Literary mythologies.
3.1. 19th century indigenism: José de Alencar, Iracema end Ubirajara.
3.2. 20th century nationalism: Fernando Pessoa´s Mensagem.
3.3. Orientalism: Wenceslau de Moraes, O Culto do Chá.
Bibliography
AA. VV., Enciclopédia Einaudi, vol. 12 (Mythos/Logos - Sagrado/Profano), Imprensa Nacional, 1987.
AGUIAR E SILVA, V. M., Camões: Labirintos e Fascínios, Lisboa, Cotovia, 1994.
ARISTÓTELES, Poética, Lisboa, Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, 2004.
FRANCHETTI, Paulo, Estudos de Literatura Brasileira e Portuguesa, São Paulo, Ateliê Editorial, 2007.
FRYE, Northrop, Anatomia da Crítica, São Paulo, É Realizações, 2014.
Teaching method
Classes combining lecture with textual analysis, using audio-visual equipment and presentation whenever required.
Evaluation method
Midterm written test.
Final paper, from 5 to 8 pages. Subject: any of the texts included in the syllabus.