english literature

HISTORY AND ANTHOLOGY OF ENGLISH LITERATURE

英国文学史及选读

English Literature

College of Foreign LanguagesChina Three Gorges University

College of Foreign Languages, CTGUCollege of Foreign Languages, CTGU


Teaching Outline

Part One: The Anglo-Saxon Period(449-1066)

1 Anglo-Saxon Conquest 2 Characteristics of Anglo-Saxon Literature or the Old

English Literature 3 Anglo-Saxon Poetry (The Song of Beowulf )



Teaching Outline

Part Two: The Anglo-Norman Period(1066-1350) 1 The Norman Conquest 2 The influence of the Norman Conquest on the English

Language and Literature 3 The Romances in the Anglo-Norman Period 4 Romance Cycles 5 Sir Gawain and the Green Knight



The Anglo-Saxon Period (449—1066)

Historical background: Before410 A.D. About 449 Anglo-Saxon, or Old English Literature characteristics:The literature of this period is divided

into pagan literature and Christian literature.

Representative achievement of Anglo-Saxon period—The Song of Beowulf



The Song of Beowulf

The Song of Beowulf is England’s national epic. It was written by an unknown scribe at the beginning of the 10th century and was discovered in 1705. It reflects events which took place approximately at the beginning of the 6th century.

The epic consists of 3182 lines and is to be divided into two parts. It is not a Christian but a pagan poem. The whole poem presents us an all-round picture of the tribal society and Christian culture. The use of the alliteration is another notable feature. Three stresses of the whole line are made even more emphatic by the use of alliteration.



Epic:

It is, originally, an oral narrative poem, majestic both in theme and style. Epics deal with legendary or historical events of national or universal significance, involving action of broad sweep and grandeur. Typically, an epic includes several features: the introduction of supernatural forces that shape the action; conflict in the form of battles or other physical forces combat; and stylistic conventions such as an invocation to the Muse, and set speeches couched in elevated language. They summarize and express the nature or ideals of an entire nation at a significant or crucial period of its history. Eg: Iliad 《伊利亚特》， Odyssey 《奥德赛》 Paradise Lost 《失乐园》， The Divine Comedy 《神曲》。



Part One: The Anglo-Saxon Period(449-1066

1 Anglo-Saxon Conquest 1.1 The making of England three tribes :Angles, Saxons and Jutes Anglo-Saxon Conquest ( the 5th century) Angles-the east midland -kingdom of East Angles Saxons- the southern part of the island England Jutes - the southeastern corner of the island



1 Anglo-Saxon Conquest

Anglo-Saxons---- Angles, Saxons and Jutes

Englishmen

Language---- the Old English (foundation)

The history of English literature began



2 Characteristics of Anglo-Saxon Literature

2.1 General Characteristics a verse literature in oral form/ unknown creators /a

written form long after its composition 2.2The two divisions of Anglo-Saxon 1literature 2.2.1 Two divisions: pagan , Christian (textbook) 2.2.2 English Poetry in Anglo-Saxon period the pagan poetry (Beowulf) , the religious poetry ( see textbook) 2.2.3 English Prose in Anglo-Saxon period



3 Anglo-Saxon Poetry

What is the oldest surviving epic in British literature?

written by an anonymous scribe (an unknown scribe

the national epic of the English people describes the adventures of a great

Scandinavian hero Beowulf of the sixth century

3182 lines a written form long after its composition housed in the British Library, London



3.1 What is epic?

What are three types of poetry ? What is a narrative poem ? Epic :it is a long narrative poem telling about the

deeds of a great hero and reflecting the values of the society from which it originated

What are the main incidents of the poem Beowulf?



3.2 The Subject Matter of The Song of Beowulf (back)

Four incidents of the poem Beowulf’s fight with the monster Grendel in Hrothg

ar’s hall. Beowulf’s slaying of Grendel’s mother in her lair. Beowulf’s return in glory to his uncle, and his succe

ssion to the throne. Beowulf’s victory in death over the fire dragon fifty

years later



3.3 How do you comment on the hero Beowulf?

Class discussion: How do you comment on the hero Beowulf?



3.4 Features of Beowulf

3.4.1 alliteration Alliteration is mainly a poetic device. It refers to the

repetition of consonants, especially at the beginning of words. In alliterative verse, certain accented words in a line begin with the same consonant sound.



3.4 Features of Beowulf

3.4.2metaphors and understatements Metaphor: a figure of speech that makes a comparison

between two things that are basically dissimilar. understatement :A figure of speech that consists of saying

less than one means, or of saying what one means with less force than the occasion warrants.

“not troublesome” for very welcome “need not praise” for a right to condemn.



Part Two: The Anglo-Norman Period(1066-1350)

1 The Norman Conquest Duke William /1066 /Hastings/the King of

England /the establishment of feudalism in England/the feudal social structure /the pyramid in Egypt /King William - barons and knights



2 .1The influence of the Norman Conquest on the English Language

Three languages existed in England at that time: the Normans spoke French the lower class spoke English the scholars and clergymen used Latin Many French words were adopted into the English

language. Example: calf, swine and sheep for the animals veal, pork, mutton are the French for the

flesh



2 .2The influence of the Norman Conquest on the English Literature

chivalry (ideal knight’s characteristics) was introduced by the Normans into England.

The prevailing form : Romance. In romance, the chivalric love, faith and

courage of the Middle Ages in Europe is always emphasized.



3 The Romances in the Anglo-Norman Period

3.1 Romance: It was a long composition, sometimes in verse, sometimes in prose, describing the life and adventures of a noble hero.

3.2 The essential features of the Romance



3.2 The essential features of the Romance

3.2.1 It lacks general resemblance to reality. 3.2.2 The central character was always the

knight. He was devoted to the church and the king.

3.2.3The theme of loyalty to king and lord was repeatedly emphasized. The devotion to a fair lady was also emphasized.

3.2.4 The adventures are remote from our ordinary life.

3.2.5 It exaggerates the vices of human nature and idealizes the virtue.



4 Romance Cycles

4.1The matters of France deal with the adventures of Charles the Great and his peers.

4.2 The matters of Roman deal with the tales from Greek and Roman sources.

4.3 The matters of Britain mainly deal with the adventures of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round.

The story of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is the culmination of the Arthurian romances.



5 Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

5.1About the story written in the late fourteenth century four sections, 2530 lines, from Celtic legend two stories: the testing at Bercilak’s castle the beheading of the Green Knight at the beginning a

nd the return blow at the end Sir Gawain the Green Knight




5.2 Comments on the romance Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

the culmination of the Arthurian romances in form---combination of French and Saxon

element two main motifs : the testing of faith, courage and purity the proving of human weakness for self-

preservation




The story well toldthe careful interweaving of one episode with

another suspense and surprise the psychological analysislanguage is simple and straightforward

Shortcomings: superstition and supernatural elements the heroic adventures of Sir Gawain -- for

adventure’s sake.



Assignment

Robin Hood and Allin-a-Dale p58-p65 Get Up and Bar the Door p65-p67 Sir Patrick Spens p67-70



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