英美文学选读绪论部分.pptVIP

英美文学选读Selected Readings in English and American Literature ——An Outline of the Course The Introduction 1. ?England’s inhabitants are Celts. And it is conquered by Romans, Anglo-Saxons and Normans. The Anglo-Saxons brought the Germanic language and culture to England, while Normans brought the Mediterranean civilization, including Greek culture, Rome law and the Christian religion. It is the cultural influence of these two conquests that provided the source for the rise and growth of English literature. 2. The old English literature extends from about 450 to 1066, the year of the Norman conquest of England. 3. The old English poetry that has survived can be divided into two groups: The religious group and the secular one 4. Beowulf: a typical example of Old English poetry is regarded as the national epic of the Anglo-Saxons. It is an example of the mingling of nature myths and heroic legends. 5. After the Norman’s conquest, three languages co-existed in England. French is the official language that is used by king and the Norman lords. Latin is the principal tongue of church affairs and in universities. Old English was spoken only by the common English people. 6. In the second half of 14th century, English literature started to flourish with the appearance of writers like Geoffrey Chaucer, William Langland, John Gower, and others Recite 1.The theme of Beowulf: The poem presents a vivid picture of how the primitive people wage heroic struggles against the hostile forces of the natural world under a wise and mighty leader. The poem is an example of the mingling of the nature myths and heroic legends. 2.Heroic couplet: Heroic couplet is a rhymed couplet of iambic pentameter. It is Chaucer who used it for the first time in English in his work The Legend of Good Woman. 3. What is Romance? 1. Romance: ① It uses narrative verse or prose to sing knightly adventures or other heroic deeds is a popular literary form in the medieval period. ② It has developed the