Part one Early and Medieval English Literature I. The Original Source for the Rise and Growth of English Literature (1) Greek culture (Greek and Roman Mythology Homer’s Epics: ① The Iliad ② Odyssey (2) Bible (3) Germanic culture Anglo-Saxon Religious Belief and its influence: Heathen peoplebelieved in the old mythology of Northern Europe. The Anglo-Saxons were Christianized in the 7th century. II. Old English Poetry and “Beowulf” English literature began with the Anglo-Saxon settlement in England. “Beowulf ” → the national epic of the Anglo-Saxon and English people, the monumental work in English poetry of Anglo-Saxon period. The main plot → the deeds of hero Beowulf Alliteration( 头韵） → Certain accented words in a line begin with the same consonant sounds. Metaphor and understatements The structure The poem can be divided into three parts: The fight against Grendel The fight against Grendel's mother The fight against the Dragon Major Themes : (1) Goodness conquers evil. (Beowulf stands for all that is good, brave and proper, while the monsters stand for evil.) (2) Men against nature (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.) Beowulf is a typical example of Old English poetry. However, the hero and the setting of Beowulf have nothing to do with England. In fact the story took place in Scandinavia. Beowulf is the central Scandinavian hero. He fights against the monster Grendel, his revengeful mother, and a fire-breathing dragon. Beowulf is shown not only as a glorious hero but also as a protector of the people. 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 mingles nature myths and heroic legends. It reflects a heroic age. Definition of epic : An extended narrative poem with a heroic or superhuman protagonist engaged in an action of great significance in a vast setting (often including the underworld and engaging the gods).
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Famous English epics : the Old English poem Beowulf; Spenser's Faerie Queene; Milton's Paradise Lost.
III. Medieval English Literature 1. The Romance The most prevailing kind of literature in feudal England was the romance. Its was a long composition in verse or in prose, describing the life and adventures of a noble hero. The central character of romance was the knight. The code of manners and morals of a knight is known as chivalry. The theme of loyalty to king and lord was repeated emphasized. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight; Le Morte D’Arthur. 2. The English ballads: A story told in song, usually in 4-line stanzas, with the second and fourth lines rhymed. Folk literature---the outlook of the English common people in feudal society. The ballads of Robin Hood: a partly historical and partly legendary character. 3. Geoffrey Chaucer(1340-1400) The “father of English poetry”, Q: What are the 3 periods/stages of Chaucer’s literary career? In the first stage of his literary career, he was under the influence of French poetry. In the second stage, He wrote under the spell of the great literary geniuses of the early Renaissance in Italy. In the third stage, he works of full maturity free from any dominant foreign influence. The Canterbury Tales “The Canterbury Tales” is Chaucer’s masterpiece and one of the monumental works in English literature. The outline: 24 stories narrated by Pilgrims These tales cover almost all the major types of medieval literature. The Prologue provides a framework for the tales. It contains a group of vivid sketches of typical medieval figures. The social significance (the theme): Chaucer affirms men and women’s right to pursue their happiness on earth and opposes the dogma of asceticism preached by the church. He praised man’s energy, intellect, quick wit and love of life. Chaucer’s contribution to English poetry and to the English language: 1) He introduced the rhymed stanzas of various types, especially the rhymed couplet of five accent to English poetry, instead of the old Anglo-Saxon alliterative verse. (Couplet: A
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stanza of two lines, usually rhyming. ) 2) He is the first great poet who wrote in the current English language. His production of so much excellent poetry was an important factor in establishing English as the literary language of the country.
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