I. Ancient period.pptVIP

Introduction to the History of English Literature By Helena Gu What Is Literature? Literature, according to James Pickering, is “a comprehensive anthology of fiction, poetry and drama designed to introduce students to the formal study of it ”. Here, we just refer it to the writings, the literary works or production of a specific language, period or people. Why We Read Literature? Read for escape: it detaches us from time and place and put us into some imaginary world. Read to learn: it helps us to discover truth and find knowledge information. Read to confront experience: It gives us engagement and participation. Read for aesthetic pleasure: It gives us good artistry. The History of English Literature Ancient Period (449-1400) The 16th century: The Renaissance The 17th century: The Period of Revolution Restoration The 18th century: The Age of Enlightenment The 19th century (1798-1832): The Romantic Period The Victorian Age (1832-1868): Critical Realism in England Twentieth-Century Literature Poetry What is Poetry? Origin of Poetry: Ancient Greek Poetry The Language of Poetry 1. Diction 2. Imagery 3. Figurative Language and Rhetorical Devices The Form of Poetry 1. Rhyme 2. Versification 3. Major Types of Poetry What Is Poetry? Poetry has been produced by every civilization in history. It is an expression of the unchanging and universal essence of human experience. We may define it as “the interpretive dramatization of experience in metrical language”. Ancient Greek Poetry Sappho’s Poems 母亲啊,我哪里还有心织布! 腰肢纤细的阿弗洛狄忒 让我心中充满 对那个少年的爱慕 Homer Language of Poetry 1. Diction 2. Imagery 3. Figurative Language and Rhetorical Devices Diction: Denotation Connotation Denotation: refers to the dictionary meaning/definition of a word. Connotation: it is the emotional associations a word gathered through its history or in a given setting. Imagery It is the effect created by stimulation of the sensory organs, t