英国文学史及选读(Lecture 2 Chaucer).pptVIP

* A portrait of Chaucer A portrait of Chaucer A cover of Chaucer’s work When the sweet showers of April fall and shoot Down through the drought of March to pierce the root Bathing every vein in liquid power From which there springs the engendering of the flower The gentle spring rain penetrates the very roots of the plants. The water of the spring rain moistens every rib of the leaves and endows the plants with its power. With the water of the spring rain flowers begin to blossom. the youthful sun / His journey halfway through the Ram has run: The sun is young because it has run only half way through the Ram, which is the first sign of the Zodiac. The sun runs through the sign of the Ram annually, from March 21st to April 21st. For the zodiac signs, see the following picture. 黄道十二宫视觉图 白羊座 金牛座 双子座 巨蟹座 狮子座 处女座 天秤座 天蝎座 射手座 摩羯座 水瓶座 双鱼座 白羊座 金牛座 双子座 巨蟹座 狮子座 处女座 天秤座 天蝎座 射手座 摩羯座 水瓶座 双鱼座 Aries / Ram Taurus Gemini Cancer Leo Virgo Libra Scorpio Sagittarius Capricorn Aquarius Pisces What are the symbolic meanings of pilgrimage in April? April is a season for rebirth or new life. The pilgrims do their journey to holy places, which implies an act of purifying soul and consequently getting a rebirth. To Chaucer, to praise noble deeds and expose evil deeds are the two effective means of purifying human soul. So, the stories in The Canterbury Tales mainly aim for praise and for condemnation. In terms of religious themes, Chaucer is connected with the Medieval Ages. How to understand “Who gave them strength when they were sick and faint”? According to Christianity, man’s first fall in the Garden of Eden caused death to man, which means that man’s body is exposed to sickness. In another way, original sin (breaking the covenant with God) caused man to deteriorate into a patient, waiting for God’s curing. This motif can be found in many western literary works. Pilgrims to Canterbury Another picture of the pilgrims for Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales “And [ the knight] in that cause had