Title Pending 9347

This essay explores how the films Becket (1964) and The Lion in Winter (1968), both starring Peter O’Toole as Henry II, can start conversations about medieval sexuality, politics, religion undergraduate classroom. All three of these topics are frequently imagined by students monolithic period; sex for example, be reduced to heterosexual practices joylessly regulated church law. Insofar have a conception political systems, usually strictly hierarchical inescapably oppressive. Medieval — Christianity is also often an instrument oppression control. negative assumptions productively interrogated using films. colorful, tightly scripted, featuring arguably some twentieth century’s most celebrated actors useful teaching tools, course on Middle Ages cinema, general survey course. Becket, with its characteristically Anouilhian theme realism vs. idealism, good starting point discussing complexities law, politics church’s social functions students. help visibility invisibility women film. Finally, depict queer sexualities ways that at odds much popular medievalism. Whether Winter’s multiple transgressive sexual relationships, or visually explicit erotic tension between Burton’s portrayal O’Toole’s this examines challenge students’ preconceptions create opportunities analyzing relevant primary sources. As such, discusses pedagogical strategies assignment options related two I argue encourage analysis Angevin Empire afterlives culture, broadly medievalisms.Banner image: Haworth Productions. Image taken from Filmdetail (www.filmdetail.com).