英国文学史学生笔记

Part one: Early and Medieval English Literature Historical Background

1. When does early and medieval period refer to?

“Early” here means English literature in primitive and slavery society.

“Medieval” means English literature in feudal England before the Renaissance. 2. What main events happened during this period? Roman conquest English conquest Norman conquest

Literature Achievements in old English period

1.two groups of English poetry in Anglo-Saxon period. The first group was the pagan poetry represented by Beowulf, the second was the religious poetry represented by the works of Caedmon and Cynewulf.

2. In the 8th century, Anglo-Saxon prose appeared. The famous prose writers of that period were Venerable Bede and Alfred the Great.

Venerable Bede : is the first scholar and chronicler in England. The most important works : The Ecclesiastical History of the English People. Alfred the Great : started the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. Beowulf

I. Definition of epic:

an extended narrative poem in elevated or dignified language, celebrating the feats of a legendary or traditional hero. II. Story of Beowulf : P3-4 Questions :

1.setting :2. characters: 3.plot III. Some important points

“Beowulf” is a folk legend brought to England by Anglo-Saxons from their continental homes. However it also reflected the features of the tribal society in Britain.

Originally Beowulf, the great epic, was in oral form and it must be a collective creation.

Beowulf in the epic is a legendary figure. In formal history you can not find a man named Beowulf.

IV. Artistic features of “Beowulf’’ 1. Using alliteration

Definition of alliteration: Words beginning with the same consonants alliterate with each other within each line. Each line of verse may contain an indefinite number of words or syllables but generally has four stresses, with a pause between the second and the third stresses. Some examples on P4 2. ·Using metaphor and understatement

Definition of understatement: expressing something in a controlled way

Understatement is a typical way for Englishmen to express their ideas. You may find some examples on P5

Literary Features of the Anglo-Saxon Period 1) secular(非宗教的) poetry,

non religious poems but with Christian coloring; 2) created collectively and orally;

3) based on history, legend or events of the time; 4) for entertainment;

5) unknown writers, written down by the monks in the 10th century

Literature achievement in Middle English Period

1.Romance: ( for noble )

2.Ballads: ( folk literature) (oral)( for English people) 3. Poetry:

1) William Langland (popular literature)

2) Chaucer ( the founder of English literature)

1. Romance:

It is the most prevailing kind of literature in England on feudal period. It is a long composition, in verse or in prose. It describes the life and adventures of a noble hero. The central theme is loyalty to king and Lord. The code of manners and morals of a knight is Chivalry. The most important romance is king Arthur and his knights of the Round Table. 2. Ballads:

a. It is the most important form of English folk literature.

b. It is a story told in song, usually in 4-line stanzas with the second and fourth line rhymed.

c. It is a literature of common people,( mainly the literature of the peasants) from them one is able to understand the outlook of the English common people in feudal society.

d. It flourished in England in the 15th century.

e. The most important ballads in England are Robin Hood . 3. Poetry

William Langland: a. life: b. content:

1.attack on the corruption of the rich and the wickedness of clergy 2.the political situation of the time 3.search for truth

4. attack on the seven Deadly Sins: (pride, lechery (色欲），envy, wrath, Avarice, glutton, sloth) c. Social significance:

1.a classic of popular literature

2.kindled the toiling people?s sense of human dignity and equality before God 3.arousing revolutionary sentiment

d. artistic features:

1.It is written in the form of a dream vision.

2.It is an allegory which relates truth through symbolism. But in the main, it is a realistic picture of medieval England.

3. The poem uses satire in his description of social abuses caused by the corruption 4.The poem is written in alliteration.

5.language style: lively speech of the countryside , blunt and unpolished words.

Geoffrey Chaucer I. His life

II. Literary career: 3 stages III. His works:

a.Troilus and Criseyde b.The Canterbury Tales IV. His Contributions:

? I. His Life

? Born in a wine merchant’s family

? Trip to the continent on diplomatic missions,two of which took him to Italy ? Buried in Westminster Abbey, the poets’ corner ? Political background:relation with John of Gaunt ? II. Literary Career:

? French period:The Book of the Duchess

? Italian period: works adapted from the Italian: Troilus and Criseyde ? English period: The Canterbury Tales

He reached maturity and was free from dominant foreign influence.

? III. His works:

? The Book of the Dutchess 《公爵夫人之书》 ? The House of Fame《声誉之堂》 ? The Parliament of Fowls《百鸟议会》 ? The Canterbury Tales《坎特伯雷故事集》 ? Troilus and Criseyde 《特罗勒斯和克莱西》

Troilus and Criseyde

? It is based on a poem by Boccaccio, his longest poem, written in the rhymed royal(君王

体）(a seven-line stanza in iambic pentameter rhyming ababbcc.)

The Canterbury Tales

? Questions :

1. the organization of the book

( the relationship between the general prologue and each tale)

2.The main features of Chaucer’s narration 3.The image of Wife of Bath ? Basic information

form: most of the tales are written in heroic couplet setting: Tabard Inn

characters: types of literature: courtly romance, folk tale.,beast fable, story of travel and adventure, saint’s life, allegorical tale, sermon, alchemical account. Language: Middle English, vivid, exact, word- pictures

Length: planned to be 120 stories. The General prologue,20 complete tales, 4 fragments, separate prologues to each tale with links, comments,quarrels ,etc. in between.

Arrangement: linked through the host’s comments and prologue.two ways: the personality of the host affords a clear string of connection from the 1st to the last tale. There is an intimate connection between the tales and prologue.

Typical characters: almost all medieval figures from different sides of life except noble and serfs.

Character of the wife of Bath

the owner of a cloth factory, light-hearted, merry,

somewhat vulgar and talkative. a lengthy account of her feelings about marriage.

? The Canterbury Tales’ significance

reflection of his times--- a panoramic view of his contemporary life; reflection of his humanist idea---- he exposed the evils of the church, the corruption of the upper class, praise man’s intellect and love; he affirms men and women’s right to pursue their happiness and oppose the dogma of asceticism preached by church.

? a. b. c. d.

IV. Chaucer’s contributions: Forerunner of humanism The first realistic writer Father of English poetry

Master of the English language

Part Two: The English Renaissance

Historical Background Renaissance and Humanism Main literary form:

poetry Edmund Spencer drama: most important William Shakespeare essay: (prose) Francis Bacon

The English Renaissance 1. Renaissance in Europe

a. It began in the 14th century in Italy.

b. nature: a cultural and intellectual movement

c. content: there arose a current for the study of Greek and Latin authors; a general

dissatisfaction at the catholic and feudal ideas.

d. two striking features: curiosity for classical literature

interest in the activities of humanity