外语学习英国文学史南健翀模版课件.ppt

英国文学史A Short History of English Literature 主讲教师：南健翀 Part Ⅰ Early and Medieval English Literature 1. The Making of England a. Roman Conquest (55 B.C.) Julius Caesarthe Roman conqueror the decline of Roman empire (410 A.D.) b. The Formation of English Language the three tribes from Northern Europe: Angles, Saxons and Jutes; Anglo-SaxonOld English c. Religious Belief heathen people; Christianization 2. Beowulfthe National Epic of English People English Literature began with the Anglo-Saxon settlement in England Beowulf the national epic; 3183 lines; the plot: Hrothgar king of the Danes; Beowulfa brave young man from southern Sweden; Heorotthe great hall; Grendela terrible creature; the fire-breathing dragon; the artistic features: a. the use of alliteration certain accented words in a line with the same consonant sound e.g. “The fair breeze blew, the white foam flew, The furrow followed free.” S.T.Coleridge b. the use of metaphors and understatements the characteristic of English people and their language e.g. “swan’s path” or “whale’s road” for sea; “sea-wood” for ship; “not troublesome” for very welcome; 3. Feudal England a. Norman Conquest and Its Influence Duke William; 1066; battle at Hastings; confiscated the lands of English lords; bestowed large patches to the Norman barons; the establishment of feudalism in England; French, English and Latin; Englishthe dominant speech in the country; b. Romance (for the nobles) romancea long composition sometim