英国文学简史 刘炳善著(1-3单元).docVIP

. . Part one Conquests Influences A. Early period: The Roman conquest: The Roman civilization 文明；文化 Christianity (基督教) Flouring (兴旺) of towns along military roads 2. The English conquest: Three tribes English old English (the Angles, Saxons and Jutes) Tribal society-feudalism (社会封建制度) B. Medieval period: The Danish conquest The Norman conquest The French-Speaking Normans under Duke William came in 1066 Establishment of feudalism (封建制度) French words came to English Anglo-Saxon Poetry (499-1066) Anglo-Saxons: the ancestors of today’s Englishmen The beginning of history of English literature Features: alliteration (头韵) rhymes metaphors (押韵的比喻) and understatements (轻描淡写) The only great work: Beowulf Beowulf A national epic (史诗般的作品) of the English people. Pagan (异教徒的) poetry No representative figure (没有代表性人物) A folk legend brought to England by Anglo-Saxon from Northern Europe. Praises man’s energy, intellect and love of life; and exposes the social vices. (社会的黑暗面) Features of Beowulf Alliteration Metaphors (隐喻) Understatements (保守的陈述) The significance of Beowulf This glorious (辉煌的) epic presents us a vivid picture of the life of Anglo-Saxon people and highly praises the brave and courageous spirit of the fighting against the vices. The epic reflects the situations the pagan tribalism (部落文化) and of the era (时代) of the Christianized (基督教化) feudal society. The epic gives the vivid portrayal (写照) of a great national hero, strong and courageous people and his kinfolk. (亲属) Feudal England The chief features of the society was division into two classes: Landlords and peasants. The peasants’ rising shook the feudal system in England to the root. The Romance The code of manners and morals of a knight is known as chivalry (骑士精神). The English versions of romances were translated from French or Latin. The romance of King Arthur is the most important for the history of English literature. The romance’s culmination (顶点) in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (metrical romance) T