Ancient Celtic texts-Irish and Welsh-associate the poet (meaning any creator of fiction) with powerful magic-with shape-shifting, access to the otherworld, and visions of transcendent authority and truth. Plato, in his famous condemnation of poetry in the Republic, also associates poetry with magic, but for him magic is a con game, a sleight-of-hand trick. This course will establish a theoretical framework by comparing Plato with selected Celtic texts, and considering both in relation to contemporary theories of magic from anthropology to the popular entertainment stage. We will then focus on the representation of poetry and magic in a variety of literary works from the Middle Ages to the twentieth century. Texts will include Chaucer's Friar's Tale and Franklin's Tale (where the poet-figures are a devil and a student of magic); Book I of Spenser's Faerie Queene (the poet-figure is an evil magician); Marlowe's Doctor Faustus (the poet-figure sells his soul to the devil for magical power); Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream and Tempest (the poet-figures are fairies and a good magician); and short poems by Coleridge, Keats, Tennyson, and Yeats. Class format: This is a discussion course, with emphasis on close reading and intensive writing. Requirements: There will be weekly writing assignments, both formal and informal, with use of a class listserver and required electronic journal postings. Students will do about 20 pages of writing and will be evaluated on writing and class participation. No prerequisites. Enrollment limited to 19. Two sections.