01ENGLISH LITERATURE---THE OLD AND MEDIVAL PERIOD_英语课件.pptVIP

Old and Medieval English Literature Outline of British Literature Old and Medieval English Liteature(449-1485) The Renaissance Period (1485-1660) The P. of Revolution and Restoration (1660-1700) The P. of Enlightenment (1700-1798) The Age of Romanticism (1798-1832) The Victorian Ages—Critical Realism (1832-1901) The Modern Period-- Modernism (1901- ) Old and Medieval English Literature The Anglo-Saxon Period (449-1066) The Anglo-Norman Period (1066-1485) Historical Background Early Settlers Celts around 700 B.C. Three Invasions Roman Invasion Invasions by Germanic tribes Danish Invasion Roman Invasion What was the original form of literature at that time? Anglo-Saxon literature is almost a verse literature in oral form. It could be passed down by word of mouth from generation to generation. Its creators for the most part are unknown. It was only given a written form long after its composition. Genres of Literature – Fiction Myths, parables, romances, novels, short stories – Poetry Relies on imagery, figurative language, sound – Drama Made up of dialogue and direction – Prose News reports, feature articles, essays, editorials, textbooks, historical and biographical works Setting Time: The story may take place as early as 400 or 500 A.D. Place: it is set in what is now Sweden, where a tribe called the Geats lived. Beowulf Theme Good Evil Heroism Heroic Deeds Loyalty---faithful /in face of /profits others… 北欧神话之贝奥武夫 Beowulf (Modern English) “Waxed ’neath the welkin, world-honor gained, Till all his neighbors o’er sea were compelled to bow to his bidding and bring him their tribute” “Thus made their mourning the men of Geatland, For their hero’s passing, his hearth—companions Quoth that of all the kings of earth, Of men he was the mildest and most beloved, To his kin the kindest, keenest to praise.” Alliterative Verse /Alliteration it is the repetition of the initial consonant sounds in poetry. In Old English alliterative meter