Anastasia Bergamo Liceo Scientifico “A. Einstein” 3^ A anno scolastico 2010-2011

CULTURE ANDLITERATURE IN ENGLAND

IN THE MIDDLE AGES

LANGUAGES IN THE MIDDLE AGES

• Latin was spoken among the clergy and influenced Old English.

• After 1066 French was spoken among the nobility and at court.

• English was spoken among ordinary people.

• In the 14 th century English became the predominant language.

CULTURE • Anglo-Saxon culture (4 th century- 1485) oral tradition: Beowulf• Introduction of Christianity: monasteries became centres of culture and education

• The reign of king Alfred the Great (871-899): Latin texts were translated into Old English • The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle (1st example of English prose)

BOOKS AND PRESSMonasteries were cultural centres• The clergy was the only literate class • Monks copied manuscripts by hand on leather pages• In 1475 William Caxton set up a press in London.

MEDIEVAL ART

1. The Anglo-Saxons had great artistic skills: they decorated weapons, jewellery and objects2. Christian art: manuscripts and books of prayers were decorated

3. Anglo-Norman period: scenes of everyday life

RELIGIOUS ARCHITECTURE1. Abbeys and minsters were built in Norman style: the cathedrals of Canterbury and Durham.

2. Later on the Gothic style was imported : Westminster Abbey (1245)

CanterburyDurham

MEDIEVAL MUSIC• The earliest music was compound by the poets who celebrated the adventures of heroes: a single melodic line and voices • With the statement of Christianity ritual music disappeared• During the reign of Edward IV English music developped• John Dunstable, the first composer, introduced melodies and harmonies which anticipated the Renaissance.

BEOWULF

- Genre: epic poem (3200 lines)- Author: anonymous - Origin: 7 th century

- Language: Old English- Influence of Scandinavian sagas

legends inspired by ancient historical events- Setting: Denmark, Gaetland and Sweden

One manuscript (around the year 1000)

CULTURAL BACKGROUND• The poem belongs to the tradition of Anglo-Saxon oral poetry.• It was characterized by alliteration and repetition of fixed phrases

that help memorisation.• The verse form was a double line with a break in the middle to

create rhythm.• The metre was based on a pattern of stressed and alliterated words.• The number of sillables in a line was not important. In Anglo-Saxon times poems were composed orally by “scops” who recited them by heart and to the accompaniment of harp or lyre.

PLOTThe poem tells the story of the noble warrior Beowulf, a Scandinavian heroPart one

- Beowulf goes to Denmark to help the Denish King.

- He fights and kills the monster Grendel.

- He fights and kills Grendel’s his mother.

- He goes back home to Geatland.Beowulf and Grendel

Part two

- Beowulf becomes king. His reign his peaceful and long.

- He fights and kills a dragon to protect his kingdom.

- After the fight he dies from his home wounds.

THE PROTAGONIST : is a hero, a warrior

he is strong, brave, proud , loyal.