英国文学史大纲.docVIP

英国文学史大纲 Chapter 1 Early and Medieval English Literature (5th century -15th century) （中世纪的） I. King Alfred’s The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle 《盎格鲁-撒克逊编年史》 II. Beowulf 《贝奥武甫》 a national epic and the first major poem in European vernacular language（欧洲本土语言） written in alliteration （头韵） the use of metaphors and of understatements give an impression of reserve and at a time a tinge of ironical humor. III. Three major themes of the romance (骑士文学): The Matter of British tales The Matter of France The Matter of Greece and Rome IV. The Robin Hood Ballads （罗宾汉民谣） V. Sir Thomas Malory’s (托马斯·马洛礼) The Death of Arthur (《亚瑟王之死》) VI. Geoffrey Chaucer (杰弗里·乔叟，poet) 1. Masterpieces: ● The Book of the Duchess 《公爵夫人之书》 ● The House of Fame 《声誉之宫》 ● Anelida and Arcite 《安妮丽达与阿赛托》 ● Parliament of Fowls 《百鸟会议》 ● Troilus and Criseyde《特洛伊罗斯与克丽西达》 ● The Legend of good women 《贤妇传说》 ● The Canterbury Tales 《坎特伯雷故事集》 2. The Canterbury Tales It should be an immense work of 124 stories. Only 24 were written. Incomplete as they are, these tales cover practically（几乎）all the major types of medieval literature: courtly romance, folk tale, beast fable, story of travel and adventure, saint’s life, allegorical tale, sermon, alchemical account, and others. All these tales but two are written in verse. The general tone of the book is one of good-natured humor that is tolerant of human weaknesses; only the parasitic monks are consistently depicted in the satiric vein. The marvelous quality of Chaucer’s humanism is vividly revealed in the Tales’ optimistic affirmation of life, loving interest in man, sense of social justice, feeling for the common people, and democratic spirit. 3. Chaucer’s contribution ●Forerunner （先驱）of Humanism Chaucer affirms men’s and women’s right to pursue earthly happiness and opposed asceticism. He praises man’s energy, intellect, quick wit and love of life and he exposes and satirizes the social vices, including the corrupti