英国文学史资料British Writers and Works一. Anglo-Saxon period贝奥武夫:thenational epic of the Anglo-SaxonsEpic: long narrative poems that record the adventures or heroic deeds of a hero enacted in vast landscapes. The style of epic is grand and elevated. (主题严肃,语言庄严)e.g. Homer’s Iliad and OdysseyArtistic features:1. Using alliteration(押头韵)(该文最大修辞特点,每行第一种词辅音韵)Definition of alliteration: a rhetorical device, meaning some words in a sentence begin with the same consonant sound(辅音)ﻫ2. Using metaphor(暗喻,隐喻) and understatement Definition of understatement: expressing something in a controlled way Understatement is a typical way for Englishmen to express their ideas二.The Middle Ages (Medieval Ages)Geoffery Chaucer杰弗里•乔叟1340(?)~1400(首创“双韵体”,英国文学史上一方面用伦敦方言写作。
约翰·德莱顿(John Dryden)称其为“英国诗歌之父”The father of English poetry.first time to use ‘heroic couplet’(英雄双韵体) by middle English代表作《坎特伯雷故事集》《The Canterbury tales》It is ____alone who, for the first time in English literature, presented to us a comprehensive (综合的,广泛的)realistic picture of the English society of his time and created a whole gallery of vivid characters from all walks of life. ( A ) A. Geoffrey Chaucer B. MatinLuther C. William Langland D. John Gowerwriting style: wisdom, humor, humanity.①名誉之宫Medieval Ages’ popular Literary form: Romance(传奇故事)Famous three:King Arthur Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Beowulf三.The Renaissance Period key word: humanism(Bacon,ﻩ Shakespeare, Marlowe)A period of drama and poetry. The Elizabethan drama is the real mainstream of the English Renaissance.Renaissance: the activity, spirit, or time of the great revival of art, literature, and learning in Europe beginning in the 14th century and extending to the 17th century, marking the transition from the medieval to the modern world.Three historical events of the Renaissance – rebirth or revival:1. new discoveries in geography and astrology(占星术/学、星座)2. the religious reformation and economic expansion3. rediscovery of ancient Roman and Greek cultureThe most famous dramatists:Christopher MarloweWilliam ShakespeareBen Johnson.1 FrancisBacon弗兰西斯•培根1561~1626(散文之父)The first English essayist.(哲学家、散文家;在论述探究知识的著作中提出了知识就是力量这一出名论断;近代唯物主义哲学的奠基人和近代实验科学的先驱。
)Philosopher, scientist, lay the foundation for modern science. The first English essayist.nWriting style:brevity, compactness&powerfulness, well-arranging and enriching by Biblical allusions, metaphors and philosophy to man’s reason.①学术的推动②<Essays>随笔(famous quotas: <Of studies>)nThe theme of Of Studies: uses and benefits of study and different ways adopted by different people to pursue studies.2 ChristopherMarlowe柯里斯托弗•马洛1564~1595“University Wits”(大学才子派), the pioneer of English drama(完善了无韵体诗。
)Blank verse: written in unrhymed iambic pentameter.(不押韵的抑扬格五音步)Marlowe gave new vigor to ____ with his “mighty lines”( D ) A. the Petrarchan sonnet B. sestina C. terzarima D. blank verse ①浮士德博士的悲剧(根据德国民间故事书写成)②帖木耳大帝n ③马耳她的犹太人3William Shakespeare威廉•莎士比亚1564~1616l ① Historical plays:Henry VI ; Henry IV : Richard III ; Henry V;Richard II;Henry VIII②Four Comedies: 皆大欢喜; <Twelfth Night>第十二夜; 威尼斯商人③Four Tragedies:奥赛罗; <King Lear>李尔王; <Macbeth>麦克白④Shakespeare Sonnet :154②
)The poets’ poet.The first to be buried in the Poet’s corner of Westerminster AbbeyWhich of the following statements is not the reason for that Edmund Spenser is famous for “the poet’s poet”? ( B ) A. Spenser’s idealism B. his struggle for criteria C. his love of beauty D. his exquisite melody ① 仙后(for Queen Elizabeth) The theme is not “Arms and the man”, but something more romantic “Fierce wars and faithfull loves”.Artistic features:1. Using Spenserian Stanza Definition of Spenserian Stanza:a stanza of nine lines ababbcbcc. Eight lines in iambic pentameter, and last line in iambic hexameter.②<The Shepherds Calendar>牧人日历 The theme is to lament over the loss of Rosalind.③乌托邦四. Revolution and Restoration(资产阶级革命与王朝复辟)The 17th Century(John Milton,Marvell ,ﻩDonne, Dryden)Theme :sex and death1 John Milton约。