Chapter one
1. The origin of the English people, their language and literature 1) The settlement of the Anglo-Saxons on the island: the mid 5th century
2) Seven kingdoms united into one called England: 7th century. The three tribes(Angles, Saxons and Jutes) mixed into a whole people called English. 3) Their language: Anglo-Saxon, which is also called old English.
4) English literature began with the Anglo-Saxon settlement in England: a few relics are still preserved—poems and songs about the heroic deeds of old time.
Beowulf: a folk legend brought to England from their continental homes (Denmark), reflecting the features of the tribal society of ancient times
2. Norman Conquest and its impact on the English language
1066: the end of Anglo-Saxon period and the establishment of feudalism in England. The general relation of Normans and Saxons was that of master and servant.
Two languages were spoken: French and English. By the end of the 14th century English was again the dominant speech—different from the old Anglo-Saxon: Structure: English Common words: English
More than 10 thousand French words were introduced – English synonyms.
3. Literature of feudal England
1). The romance: describing the life and adventure of noble heroes ---the English versions were translated from French or Latin. 2). English ballads:
a). In various English and Scottish dialects b). Composed collectively \\’]
c). A variety of themes
d). Mainly the literature of the peasants: the outlook of the English common people in the
feudal society
e). The Robin Hood ballads
4. Geoffrey Chaucer (1340? ----1400): read the introduction in your book Father of English poetry, one of most greatest poets of England. Romance of rose（玫瑰奇缘）/ the house of fame（声誉之宫） / the parliament of fowls(百鸟议会) The Canterbury tales
5. Chaucer’s contribution to English literature
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1). His poetry traces out a path to the literature of English Renaissance, it reflects the changes of the second half of the 14th century
2). As a forerunner of humanism, he praised man’s energy, intellect, quick wit and love of life 3). Wide learning: a good knowledge of Latin, French and Italian. Studied philosophical works
of his time; an abundant knowledge of the world. No man could have been better equipped,
socially and intellectually to be the founder of English poetry
4). His language -----Middle English ----vivid and exact----good master of English ----making
the dialect of London the foundation of modern English speech----establishing English as the literary language of the country.
6. popular ballads
Ballads are anonymous narrative songs that have been preserved by oral transmission. Ballads are divided into several kinds:
i. ii. iii. iv. v.
Character:
Historical Legendary Fantastical Lyrical Humorous
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Chapter Two
Renaissance: the activity, spirit, or time of the great revival of art, literature, and learning in Europe beginning in the 14th century and extending to the 17th century, marking the transition from the medieval to the modern world.
1. Historical background of the English Renaissance
1) The founding of the Tudor Dynasty which met the needs of the rising bourgeoisie.
2) A kind of religious movement called Reformation was started: Protestantism — The Latin Bible was translated into English: a great influence on the English language and literature. 3) English economy developed at a slow but steady pace. As a result of the Enclosure Movement,
a large number of peasants became the forefathers of the modern English proletariat. 4) Commercial expansion abroad and the establishment of colonies
2. Chief characteristics of the Renaissance
1) The interest in God and in the life after death was transformed into the exaltation of man
and an absorption in earthly life.
2) Materialistic philosophy and scientific thought replaced the church dogmas.
3) A total new culture rose out of the revival of the old culture of ancient Greece and Rome; a new kind of art and literature emerged through the exploration of the infinite capabilities of man.
Or:
1) A thirsting curiosity for classical literature 2) A keen interest in life and human activities
3. English literature of the Elizabethan Period (second half of the 16th century)
1) Many classical and Italian and French works were translated into English — Don Quixote 2) Books on history and about new discoveries were written.
3) The sonnet, an exact form of poetry, was introduced to England from Italy.
4. Edmund Spenser (1552-1599)
born in London of a merchant tailor's family;
had a progressive scholar as his headmaster, who hold that \ody, that we
have to educate, but a man\
entered Cambridge in 1569, graduated in 1573 with M.A. degree; started \
became private secretary of Lord Grey, the Queen's Lord Deputy in Ireland — stayed there for his remaining 19 years, carried out the tyrannical rule of the British government there wrote \
an Irish uprising broke out in 1599, his house was burnt down, he returned to London, died \
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汇总英国文学期末考试必备讲义.doc
