文档介绍：英国文学简史
By Tiffany
Early & Medieval English Literature
The Anglo-Saxon Period (449-1066)
The Medieval Period (1066-ca 1485)
Historical Background
Celtic tribes:
Roman: South part→Christianity→language
English: Old English→keep language
Norman→feudalism: back to church→English, French, Italian
The Anglo-Saxon Period: (449-1066)
Old English Poetry
Beowulf: the national epic of the English people
Bold & strong, but also manful
Religious group: biblical theme & saints lives
Secular: ordinary & Legend→tribal battles→natural forces
Pattern: knights
Theme: loyalty to king
Topic: love
Structure: loose but get to know of clues
Device: supernatural→superstitious
Geoffrey Chaucer (English founder of poetry)
Religious Attitude
Devout & orthodox Christian
Heterodox opinions—some
Corruption of the church
Works in mainstream of Christian culture
Under the begin Providence of God
× didactic allegory
Consolation philosophy
Philosophical Attitude: Living whole-heartedly in the world while remaining spiritually detached from it.
Poetry
French, Italian, mature
Works
The Book of Duchess 公爵之书
Literature Achievement
Father of English poetry
iambic pentameter → abab & abba → aabb: double pair foot→ heroic couplet 英雄双韵体
Master of English language
Increased the prestige of English as a literary language
Messenger of Humanism
Praised man’s energy, intellect, quick wit and love of life
Ex: London dialect
Affirms: earthly happiness
Asceticism: social evils, religious abuse
Writing Features
First important realistic writer in English literature microcosm of society
Theme: Chaucer explores the theme of the individual’s relationship to the society.
Comment on Geoffrey Chaucer
“The English Homer”
Comment on the Canterbury Tales
The Canterbury Tales greatly influenced the development of English Literature.
The English Renaissance(文艺复兴)
Time: sprung in Italy in the 14th century and gradually spread all over Europe.
Marks transition: medieval→mode