英 国 文 学英 国 文 学英 国 文 学英 国 文 学 English Literature 主讲教师：田祥斌

Lecture 2: Old English Literature (Before 1066 ) I. Historical Background II.Old English Poetry III. Beowulf

I. Historical Background (see textbook) (see textbook) I.1 Old English period ( ) I.1 Old English period ( ) I.1.1 The early inhabitants: Celts I.1.1 The early inhabitants: Celts I.1.2 England was conquered by the Jutes, Angles, and Saxons (different tribes of Teutons) I.1.2 England was conquered by the Jutes, Angles, and Saxons (different tribes of Teutons) I.1.3 Angle-land: shortened into England I.1.3 Angle-land: shortened into England I.1.4 The Old English language: also called Anglo-Saxon or Saxon which was spoken from A.D. 600 to about I.1.4 The Old English language: also called Anglo-Saxon or Saxon which was spoken from A.D. 600 to about 1100.

II. Old English Poetry II.1 The literature: pagan and Christian II.1 The literature: pagan and Christian II.1.1 Poets: Caedmon: Paraphrase of the Bible II.1.1 Poets: Caedmon: Paraphrase of the Bible Cynewulf: four poems but nothing remains. Cynewulf: four poems but nothing remains. II.1.2 Other poems: Genesis A:Genesis B II.1.2 Other poems: Genesis A:Genesis B II.1.3 Prose II.1.3 Prose Anglo-Saxon Chronicle Anglo-Saxon Chronicle

III. Beowulf III.1 Brief introduction III.1 Brief introduction Form ： poetry Form ： poetry Author: anonymous Author: anonymous Type: English epic Type: English epic Time: about 6 th -7 th century Time: about 6 th -7 th century Place: in Denmark Place: in Denmark Setting: Scandinavia Setting: Scandinavia Main Characters: Beowulf: the hero; Main Characters: Beowulf: the hero; Hrothgar: King of the Danes Hrothgar: King of the Danes Story or Plot: 3182 lines, 3 parts Story or Plot: 3182 lines, 3 parts

The poem can be divided into three parts: The fight against Grendel The fight against Grendel The fight against Grendel's mother The fight against Grendel's mother The fight against the Dragon The fight against the Dragon

III.2 Artistic features III.2.1 Sound: no end rhyme, but alliteration III.2.1 Sound: no end rhyme, but alliteration III.2.2 Rhythm:Each half-line has two main beats and each half-line is joined to the other by alliteration. III.2.2 Rhythm:Each half-line has two main beats and each half-line is joined to the other by alliteration. III.2.3 Meter: rising meter III.2.3 Meter: rising meter III.2.4 Tone: originally in an oral form, sung by the bards. III.2.4 Tone: originally in an oral form, sung by the bards. III.2.5 Alliteration and understatement III.2.5 Alliteration and understatement

Alliteration and Understatement & metaphors Alliteration Alliteration Of men he was the mildest and most beloved, Of men he was the mildest and most beloved, To his kin the kindest, keenest to praise. To his kin the kindest, keenest to praise. Understatement Understatement e.g. sea: swan's path, whale's road, the waves,the sea-streams, or the ocean-way e.g. sea: swan's path, whale's road, the waves,the sea-streams, or the ocean-way a ship: a sea-goer, a sea-boat, a sea-wood, or a wave-floater a ship: a sea-goer, a sea-boat, a sea-wood, or a wave-floater

III.3 The Theme, Character, Features It gives us an interesting picture of life in those old days. It tells us of fierce fights and brave deeds of the leader and the sufferings of his men. It has praised the bravery, keeping promise, and loyalty. It gives us an interesting picture of life in those old days. It tells us of fierce fights and brave deeds of the leader and the sufferings of his men. It has praised the bravery, keeping promise, and loyalty. In the poem, Beowulf is strong, courageous, and selfless, ready to risk his life in order to rid his people of evil monsters. In the poem, Beowulf is strong, courageous, and selfless, ready to risk his life in order to rid his people of evil monsters. It is a valuable narrative poem, which records the valuable custom of that time. It is mainly about his three major adventures. It is a valuable narrative poem, which records the valuable custom of that time. It is mainly about his three major adventures.

Lecture 3: Middle English Literature ( ) (or: Medieval Literature) I. Historical Background II. English Literature III. Geoffrey Chaucer

I. Historical Background I.1. The Norman Conquest I.1. The Norman Conquest I.1.1 Battle of Hastings (1066) I.1.1 Battle of Hastings (1066) I.1.2 Co-existed three languages I.1.2 Co-existed three languages French, Latin, French, Latin,

II.Medieval English Literature II.1 Medieval Romance II.1 Medieval Romance II.1.1 Three subjects of English romances: II.1.1 Three subjects of English romances: 1) the `matter’ of Rome 1) the `matter’ of Rome 2) the `matter’ of France 2) the `matter’ of France 3) the `matter’ of Britain 3) the `matter’ of Britain II.1.2 the Gawain-poet II.1.2 the Gawain-poet

II.1.3 Features a. to sing knightly adventures or other heroic deeds in verse or prose b. The poems tell us the motifs of the quest, challenge, test, and meeting with the evil giant.. c. The hero is the knight, setting out on a journey to accomplish some goal --to protect the church and the poor, to attack infidelity, to rescue a maiden, to meet a challenge, or to obey a knightly command.

d. mysteries and fantasies (improbable, supernatural) e. romantic love f. standardized characterization g. The language and style are simple and straightforward. h. The romance reflects a chivalric age.

II.1.4 Romance: King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table:Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Form ： poetry Form ： poetry Author: anonymous Author: anonymous Type: romance of knights Type: romance of knights Time: about 6th century Time: about 6th century Place: in England Place: in England Main Characters: Main Characters: Gawain, one of the knights of the round table; Gawain, one of the knights of the round table; the Green Knight the Green Knight

II.1.4 Plot II.1.4 Plot 1) Green Knight challenges and Sir Gawain accepts the challenge. 1) Green Knight challenges and Sir Gawain accepts the challenge. 2) Gawain looks for the Green Chapel and live in the castle. 2) Gawain looks for the Green Chapel and live in the castle. 3) the life in the castle: three days, three gifts,and the green girdle 3) the life in the castle: three days, three gifts,and the green girdle 4) Gawain is brought into the Green Chapel and is wounded by the Green Knight. 4) Gawain is brought into the Green Chapel and is wounded by the Green Knight.

II.1.6 Artistic features II.1.6 Artistic features use of alliteration use of alliteration He dowellez per al pat day, and dressez on per morn, He dowellez per al pat day, and dressez on per morn, Askez erly hys armez, and alle were pey bro3t. Askez erly hys armez, and alle were pey bro3t. Fyrst a tule tapit ty3t over pe flet Fyrst a tule tapit ty3t over pe flet And miche wats pe gyld gere pat glent peralofte And miche wats pe gyld gere pat glent peralofte

II.1.6 Theme: Its theme is a series of tests on faith, courage, purity and human weakness for self-preservation. II.1.6 Theme: Its theme is a series of tests on faith, courage, purity and human weakness for self-preservation.

II.Medieval English Literature (4) II.3 The English Ballads (textbook) II.3 The English Ballads (textbook) II.3.1 The Geste of Robin Hood II.3.1 The Geste of Robin Hood 1) the Characters of Robin Hood 1) the Characters of Robin Hood 2) Robin Hood and Allin-a-Dale 2) Robin Hood and Allin-a-Dale II.3.2 Get up and Bar the Door II.3.2 Get up and Bar the Door

What is ballad? Ballad: A narrative poem written in four-line stanzas, characterized by swift action and narrated in a direct style. Ballad: A narrative poem written in four-line stanzas, characterized by swift action and narrated in a direct style. Ballads are anonymous narrative songs that have been preserved by oral transmission. English ballad includes also a great number of humorous ballads. Ballads are anonymous narrative songs that have been preserved by oral transmission. English ballad includes also a great number of humorous ballads.

The character of Robin Hood is manysided. The character of Robin Hood is manysided. Strong, brave and clever, he is at the same time tender-hearted and affectionate. Strong, brave and clever, he is at the same time tender-hearted and affectionate.

III. Geoffrey Chaucer III.1 His position and his life III.1 His position and his life III.2 His literary career: three periods and his major works III.2 His literary career: three periods and his major works III.3 Selected reading: The Canterbury Tales III.3 Selected reading: The Canterbury Tales III.4 His contributions and his artistic features to English literature III.4 His contributions and his artistic features to English literature

He died in 1400, buried in Westminster Abbey, thus founding the “Poets’ Corner”. He died in 1400, buried in Westminster Abbey, thus founding the “Poets’ Corner”. Westminster Abbey Westminster Abbey

III.2 His literary career: three periods and his works III.2.1 Period of French influence: ( ). Translated French works into English: The Romance of the Rose;other poems. The first original work:The Book of the Duchess III.2.1 Period of French influence: ( ). Translated French works into English: The Romance of the Rose;other poems. The first original work:The Book of the Duchess III.2.2 Period of Italian influence:( ): Troilus and Criseyde (1372-7); The Legend of Good Women (1385); The House of Fame; The Parliament of Fowls III.2.2 Period of Italian influence:( ): Troilus and Criseyde (1372-7); The Legend of Good Women (1385); The House of Fame; The Parliament of Fowls III.2.3 Period of so-called realism ( ): The Canterbury Tales. III.2.3 Period of so-called realism ( ): The Canterbury Tales.

III.3. III.3. The Canterbury Tales The Canterbury Tales Form ： poetry Form ： poetry Author: Geoffrey Chaucer Author: Geoffrey Chaucer Type: romance of knights, Saint's legend, folk story Type: romance of knights, Saint's legend, folk story Time: to 14 century Time: to 14 century Place: in England Place: in England Main Characters: Main Characters:

III.3.1 In the current English Original poem Original poem Whan that Aprille with his shoures sote Whan that Aprille with his shoures sote The droghte of Marche hath perced to the rote The droghte of Marche hath perced to the rote And bathed every veyne in swich licour, And bathed every veyne in swich licour, of which vertu engendred is the flour; of which vertu engendred is the flour; Translated by Theodore Morrison Translated by Theodore Morrison As soon as April pierces to the root As soon as April pierces to the root The drought of March, and bathes each bud and shoot The drought of March, and bathes each bud and shoot Through every vein of sap with gentle showers Through every vein of sap with gentle showers From whose engendering liquor spring the flowers; From whose engendering liquor spring the flowers;

Translated by Nevill Coghill Translated by Nevill Coghill When the sweet showers of April fall and shoot When the sweet showers of April fall and shoot Down through the drought of March to pierce the root, Down through the drought of March to pierce the root, Bathing every vein in liquid power Bathing every vein in liquid power From which there springs the engendering of the flower, From which there springs the engendering of the flower, III.3.2 Plot III.3.2 Plot 17,000 lines 17,000 lines The poet and other 29 pilgrims tell stories on their journey from London to Canterbury. Each is to tell two stories while going and two returning. The poet and other 29 pilgrims tell stories on their journey from London to Canterbury. Each is to tell two stories while going and two returning.

Plan: over 120 Plan: over 120 Result: 24 tales (of which two are left unfinished) Result: 24 tales (of which two are left unfinished)

Several points of view 1. As an anthology of medieval literary types: Almost every type of medieval literature is represented here. 1) Knight's Tale is a romance. 2) Miller's Tale is a fabliau. 3) Second Nun's Tale a saint's legend 4) Prioresses Tale a "miracle of virgin” 5) sermons, beast fables, contemporary anecdotes, and allegories

In short, it is a virtual storehouse of the kinds of literature to be found in Chaucer's day. (Grennen,1997:9) In short, it is a virtual storehouse of the kinds of literature to be found in Chaucer's day. (Grennen,1997:9) 2. As the story of a pilgrimage. 2. As the story of a pilgrimage. 3. As a representative view of 14th-century English society. 3. As a representative view of 14th-century English society. 4. As a framed story 4. As a framed story

III.4 His contributions and his artistic features III.3.1 The Father of English Poetry: III.3.1 The Father of English Poetry: heroic couplet heroic couplet e.g. Whan that Aprille with his shoures swote e.g. Whan that Aprille with his shoures swote The droghte of Marche hath perced to the rote The droghte of Marche hath perced to the rote

III.3.2 The Founder of English Realism(The First Realistic Writer) III.3.2 The Founder of English Realism(The First Realistic Writer) III.3.3 The Master of English Language: the dialect of London. III.3.3 The Master of English Language: the dialect of London. III.3.4 Messenger of Humanism ( forerunner of humanism;). III.3.4 Messenger of Humanism ( forerunner of humanism;).

Questions 1) How successful is the "framing" device used in the Canterbury Tales? 1) How successful is the "framing" device used in the Canterbury Tales? 2) How unique and important is the Canterbury Tales as a document in the history of the social great changes of the Fourteenth Century? 2) How unique and important is the Canterbury Tales as a document in the history of the social great changes of the Fourteenth Century?

Subjects for research and critical analysis Subjects for research and critical analysis 1) A comparison of any one of the Canterbury tales with its source or analogue. 1) A comparison of any one of the Canterbury tales with its source or analogue. 2) A summary and analysis of the recent criticism of a single tale. 2) A summary and analysis of the recent criticism of a single tale. 3) Chaucer's use of imagery in one of the tales. 3) Chaucer's use of imagery in one of the tales. 4) An analysis of the irony of situation in some tales.5) An analysis of the attitude toward women in the Canterbury Tales. 4) An analysis of the irony of situation in some tales.5) An analysis of the attitude toward women in the Canterbury Tales. 6) Medieval medicine. 6) Medieval medicine.