英国文学史 Part One Chapter1 Anglo-Saxon Poetry.pptVIP

Beowulf 《贝奥武甫》 Manuscript of Beowulf 李 P3 Beowulf 1.Beowulf is a national epic (民族史诗) of English people. 2.It is the representative work of the early English literature with more than 3000 lines. 3.Its writer is unknown. Epic is an extended narrative poem on a serious subject, told in a formal and elevated style. Like: Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey, Milton’s Paradise Lost. Epic: （史诗） It usually celebrates the feats of one and more legendary or traditional heroes or quasi-divine figure on whose actions depends the fate of a tribe, a nation, or the human race. The action is simple but magnificent. Today, some long narrative works, like novels that reveal an age and its people, are also called epic. Epic: （史诗） Beowulf Characters in the story: Hrothgar: king of Danes Hygelac: king of Geats in Jutland [日德兰半岛(北欧的半岛)] Beowulf: a nephew of king of Geats, a people in Denmark. The Germanic hero. Wiglaf: the nephew of Beowulf Grendel: a half-human monster She-monster(女妖怪): Grendel’s mother a firedrake: a fire dragon, a monster Hrothgar’s warriors in the hall being harassed and devoured by Grendel , for 12 years Beowulf’s voluntary help, killed the monster Grendel’s mother’s revenge; Beowulf killed her Sailed home and ruled as king for 15 years One of his subject stole some treasure guarded by a firedrake The firedrake’s revenge, laid waste the land Beowulf killed the monster but fatally wounded What is the plot of the story? his nephew Wiglaf ruled as king; Beowulf’s funeral; Hrothgar, king of the Danes. Heorot ( The mead hall) Grendel, the monster. Beowulf, nephew of Hygelac, king of Geats in Jutland. The queen filled his cup… Beowulf tore off the monster’s arm and shoulder… Beowulf was almost defeated by the she-monster… They carried the head of Grendel… Beowulf ruled the country for about 50 years… A runaway slave stole the treasure … Beowulf went to fight with the Fire Dragon. He was wounded… Wiglaf he