The Name of the Rose is rich with literary, historical, and philosophical references. Refer to “An Annotated Guide to the Historical and Literary References in The Name of the Rose” found in The Key to 'The Name of the Rose' (1999) by Adele J. Haft, Jane G. White, and Robert J. White, to choose one or more important historical figures to investigate. How does Eco incorporate this figure into his novel?

Most scholars agree that Edgar Allan Poe is the pioneer of the detective story. Read “Murders in the Rue Morgue,” “The Purloined Letter,” and “The Mystery of Marie Roget” by Poe, which all feature his detective, C. Auguste Dupin. Identify the most notable conventions of the detective genre. What elements do readers typically expect in a mystery? How does Eco meet or defy these expectations? How does reading Poe influence your interpretation of The Name of the Rose?

Create a timeline of the major historical events in Western Europe during the fourteenth century. How do these events influence The Name of the Rose? How does understanding medieval history enhance your reading of The Name of the Rose?

Examine as many medieval manuscripts as possible. (Useful sources include art history books or online medieval history sites, such as the University of Oxford’s Bodleian Library Western Manuscripts webpages or the British Library’s Lindisfarne Gospels webpage.) If possible, visit a museum to see an actual medieval manuscript. Simultaneously, research the process of writing medieval manuscripts. Write an essay that explores the techniques, strategies, problems, and challenges faced by medieval scribes in their efforts to create texts.