英美文学重点总结 第一章.docVIP

Introduction: Old and Medieval English Literature 1. source of the rise and growth of English literature: the cultural influences of the Anglo-Sexons conquest and the Norman conquest. 盎格鲁撒克逊征服与诺曼征服 2. Old English literature: 450—1066 medieval period in English literature: with the Norman Conquest starts,covers about 4 centurries, 3. Beowulf主题分析: Beowulf,a typical example of Old English poetry,is regarded as the national epic of the Anglo-Saxons. Thematically the poem presents a vivid picture of how the primitive people wage heroic struggles against the hostile forces of the natural world under a wise and mighty leader.The poem is an example of the mingling of nature myths and heroic legends. 4. In the second half of the 14th century,English literature started to flourish with the appearance of writers like Geoffrey Chaucer (the greatest writer){Canterbury Tales}, William Langland (religious and social issues){Piers Plowman},John Gower (produces the best romance of the period){Sir Gawain and the Green Knight},and others. 5. 骑士文学 Romance which uses narrative verse or prose to sing knightly adventures or other heroic deeds is a popular literary form in the medieval period.It has developed the characteristic medieval motifs(主题) of the quest,the test,the meeting with the evil giant and the encounter with the beautiful beloved. 6. Chaucer bore marks of humanism and anticipated a new era to come. 7. 乔叟,押尾韵及英雄双韵体. Chaucer introduced from France the rhymed stanzas of various types to English poetry to replace the Old English alliterative verse.And in The Canterbury Tales,Chaucer employed the heroic couplet with true ease and charm toe the first time in the history of English literature. 8. 最早的现代小说: Chaucer’s Troilous and Criseyde John Dryden called Chaucer “the father of English poetry”. The English Homer. Chapter 1 The Renaissance Period Renaissance It refers to the period between the 14th and mid-17th .It first started in Italy,with the flowering of painting,sculptur