Yes, I am back from honeymoon. Our wedding was one month ago today, and already feels like it happened rather a long time ago! It was a wonderful time, and thanks for the good wishes you sent.

I want to get back into blogging here, but for the moment here’s a little promo for an event at the University of Oxford next week. I hope some of you may be able to attend!

 

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Lucretia commits suicide after her rape; detail from “Memorable Deeds and Sayings of the Romans”, Koninklijke Bibliotheek, The Hague, MS 66 B 13
MEDIEVAL GENDER READING GROUP – first meeting of Michaelmas term
WEEK 2: Thursday 24th October, 1 – 2pm
Sponsored by The Oxford Research Centre in the Humanities

THEME: Ravishing Maidens: Reading Rape as Researchers and Teachers


Much excellent, thought-provoking work has been done on the role of rape in medieval narratives – literary and legal – but, as recent heated public discussion over the “Blurred Lines” of consent makes clear, contemporary understanding of rape remains complicated. In this week’s reading group, we will discuss a short medieval narrative that includes rape in a brief scene that is, however, a vital plot point. We will consider this alongside a short article on pedagogical approaches to discussing literary rape.


Everyone, of any disciplinary background, is very welcome to join this informal reading group for interdisciplinary discussion related to gender and sexualities in the middle ages. Graduate students are encouraged to attend.

Location:Graduate Training Room, Radcliffe Humanities Building (see map:  http://www.ox.ac.uk/divisions/humanities_division.html)

A free sandwich lunch will be provided. Contact Rachel Moss (rachel.moss@ccc.ox.ac.uk) to receive the reading material for this week.