英國(guó)文學(xué) 1 The Anglo-Saxon Period

1、Part IChapter 1The Anglo-Saxon Period（449-1066449-1066）I. Historical Background: The Making of England1) The Roman Conquest * Introduced Latin ; * Introduced Christianity.2) The Anglo-Saxon Conquest *The Angles, Saxons, and Jutes invaded; *Formed the Anglo-Saxon language (O.E.); * Were originally pa

2、gan (heathen) but later were converted. The most prominent feature? * Poetry: (1) Christian poetry Caedmon: Paraphrase Cynewulf (2) Pagan poetry: Widsith (威茲瑟斯威茲瑟斯 The Traveller s Song 旅行家旅行家 The Seafarer航海家航海家 Englands national epic: The Song of Beowulf (貝奧武甫貝奧武甫) (Essentiallly Pagan. Why? ) II. Ch

3、aracteristics of the Anglo-Saxon Literature:Epic (or Heroic Poetry): “An Epic is, originally, an oral narrative poem, majestic both in theme and style. Epics deal with legendary or historical events of national or universal significance, usually the exploits of a single individualBut the characteris

4、tics of the hero are national rather than individual, and the exercise of those traits in heroic deeds serves to gratify a sense of national pride They summarize and express the nature or ideals of an entire nation at a significant or crucial period of its history, e.g. Odyssey by the poet Homer. At

5、 other times they may synthesize the ideals of a great religious or cultural movement, e.g. The Divine Comedy by Dante.” (Wu, 2002: 364) The Song of Beowulf 1) Who is Beowulf? 2) Whats the first part of the poem mainly about？ 3) Whats the second part mainly about? Excerpt Reading (P. 11, Para. 3) “T

6、he kinsman of Hygelac, mighty man, watched how the evil-doer would make his quick onslaught. Nor did the monster mean to delay it, but, starting his work, he suddenly seized a sleeping man, tore at him ravenously, bit into his bone-locks, drank the blood from his veins, swallowed huge morsels; quick

7、ly he had eaten all of the lifeless one, feet and hands. He stepped closer, then felt with his arm for the brave-hearted man on the bed, reached out towards him, the foe with his hand; at once in fierce response Beowulf seized it and sat up, leaning on his own arm. Straightway the fosterer of crimes

8、 knew that he had not encountered on middle-earth, anywhere in this world, a harder hand-grip from another man. Excerpt Reading In mind he became frightened, in his spirit: not for that might he escape the sooner. His heart was eager to get away, he would flee to his hiding-place, seek his rabble of

9、 devils. What he met there was not such as he had ever before met in the days of his life. Then the kinsman of Hygelac, the good man, thought of his evenings speech, stood upright and laid firm hold on him: his fingers cracked.” (Wu, 2013:11-12) “The awful monster had lived to feel pain in his body,

10、 a huge wound in his shoulder was exposed, his sinews sprang apart, his bone-locks broke. Glory in battle was given to Beowulf.” (Wu, 2013:13) (2) How to analyze the poem? * Characterization: Beowulf is “a great legendary hero with both great physical strength and remarkable spiritual qualities”(Luo

11、, 2005:7). What spiritual qualities? *Why is it called “Englands National Epic”? Contents/subject matter? Theme and style? National characteristics? (2) How to analyze the poem? * Characterization: Beowulf is “a great legendary hero with both great physical strength and remarkable spiritual qualitie

12、s”(Luo, 2005:7). *Why is it called “Englands National Epic”? Contents/subject matter? Theme and style? National characteristics? * Stylistic Features ? 1. Kenning Beowulf uses a kind of figurative language called “kenning”in order to add beauty to ordinary objects. A kenning is usually composed of t

13、wo words, which becomes the formula for a special object. Its a kind of metaphor chiefly designed to appeal to people thinking in images and pictures and facilitate a process of attaining knowledge by guesswork.Stylistic Features Kennings in Beowulf: “swans way”, “whale-path”, “pathway of sails” ? “

14、shield-holder”, “sword-hero”, “spear-fighter” ? “world-candle” ?Stylistic FeaturesStylistic Features2. Alliteration Alliteration is basically the repetition of the same consonant sound/sounds at the beginning of words or stressed syllables that are next or close to each other. as cool as cucumbers s

15、afe and sound In Old English verse, alliteration “is the principal organizing devise of the verse line” (Abrams, 2005: 8).Alliteration Swa begnornodon Geata leode hlafordes hryre, heorgeneatas, cwdon t he wre wyruldcyninga manna mildust ond monwrust, leodum liost ond lofgeornost. -Old English textTh

16、us made their mourning the men of Geatland,for their heros passing his hearth-companions:quoth that of all the kings of earth,of men was mildest and most beloved,to his kin the kindest, keenest for praise. -Modern English textHow does alliteration organize each verse line?II The Anglo-Norman Period

17、(1066-1350) Historical Background: (1) The Norman Conquest in 1066; (2) Middle English; (3) Romance and the influence of French literature. Literature: The dominant form of literature -Romance. “Romance, in the original sense of the word, means the vernacular (native) language, as opposed to Latin,

18、and later it means a tale in verse embodying the life and adventures of knights. Romance was characteristic of the early feudal age, as it reflected the spirit of chivalry, i.e., the quality and ideal of knightly conduct. The content of romance was usually about love, chivalry and religion”(Luo, 2005: 17). Sir Garwain and the Green Knight （高文爵士和綠衣騎士 ）References:Abrams, M. H. A Glossary of Literary Terms. Beijing: Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press, 2005. 羅經(jīng)國(guó)羅經(jīng)國(guó)(Luo Jinguo).新編英國(guó)文學(xué)選讀上新編英國(guó)文學(xué)選讀上. 北京北京: 北京大學(xué)出版，北京大學(xué)出版