英国文学史整理.docVIP

History and Anthology of English Literature I Part I The Anglo-Saxon Period（449-1066）（In Chin. Chr.: Northern and Southern Dynasties – Northern Song Dyn.) History of the English Language Old English: Anglo-Saxon times —1100 Middle English:1150 -- 1500 Modern English:1500 – present times (Early Modern English:1500 – 1700) In 43 A.D. the Romans landed in Britain and made south Britain a Roman province When the Roman Empire declined and its troops left England, the tribes of Angles, Saxons and Jutes invaded the island from Northern Europe around the 5th century(about 449 A. D.). *Epic: a long narrative poem about heroic deeds and adventures. The story According to the contents of the story, the poem can be divided into three parts: Part I: the fight against Grendel Part II: the fight against Grendel’s mother Part III: the fight against the Fire Dragon The artistic features Alliteration, metaphor, understatement, vivid poetic diction and parallel expressions for a single idea The themes The chief significance of this epic lies in the vivid portrayal of a great national hero, strong and courageous and selfless and ever helpful to his people and kinsfolk. The Song of Beowulf can be justly termed English national epic and its hero Beowulf – one of the national heroes of the English people. *Alliteration: the deliberate repetition of the first consonants in associated words or next to stressed syllables. Part II The Anglo—Norman Period（1066—1350）(In Chinese chronology: Northern Song Dyn.—Yuan Dyn.) Medieval Romance It was a long composition, sometimes in verse, sometimes in prose, describing the life and adventures of a noble hero. 1st Canto: Gawain returns the blow 2nd Canto: Gawain’s long journey 3rd Canto: Gawain’ life in the castle 4th canto: …gets to the Green Chapel… warned to turn back…terrifying sound of sharpening ax…Green Knight appears…two swings harmlessly…third one wounds him…Green Knight explains…lord …shame…atone(make repayment)…free gift…