英国文学史及选读复习资料

精品文库Lecture1 . Recommended Novels for Reading (British) 18th-century Gullivers Travels: Jonathan Swift; social satire/fantasy/; Part I, II, and IV interesting; language difficulty *. Robinson Crusoe: Daniel Defoe; an account of the process of the building of the British Empire in the 18th century; diary-like detailed description and narration; language difficulty *.19th-century Great Expectations: Charles Dickens; about moral corruption and loss of innocence and honesty in growing up; the Cinderella pattern in structure; language Dif *; a bit too long.Jane Eyre: Charlotte Bronte; a poor, plain governess struggling for self-dignity and personal happiness; language dif *. Wuthering Heights: Emily Bronte; one of the best novels in the world; a presentation of the most primitive, natural, powerful, touching as well as the most destructive love human beings are capable of; language dif *.Silas Marner: George Eliot; a religious fable about religion of humanity; language dif *; small. Tess of DUrbervilles: Thomas Hardy; tragic fate of a “pure” young peasant woman at the time of capitalist invasion into the country in the 19th-century England; language dif *. 20th-century Sons and Lovers: D.H. Lawrence; Oedipus Complex; the study of man-woman relations; language dif *.Mrs Dalloway, Virginia Woolf; about the spiritual journey of Mrs Dalloway; typical stream of consciousness fiction; language dif *, not longThe Fifth Child: Doris Lessing; about distortion or horror of human nature/ a human-born monster; Language dif *, small. ContentsChapter One: Old English LiteratureChapter Two: Middle English LiteratureChapter Three: Geoffrey ChaucerChapter Four: The RenaissanceChapter Five: The Revolution and RestorationChapter Six:Enlightenment in EnglandChapter Seven: The Romantic Period Chapter Eight: The Victorian AgeChapter Nine: Twentieth Century Literature . Development of Literature Three stages of English language development: i. Old English /Anglo-Saxon (OE. As the language up to 1066 is usu. called) ii. Middle English (about 1100-1500) iii. Modern English (about 1500-present)Part One: Old and Medieval English Literature Historical background 3 conquests/invasions - Romans (4th to the 6th cen.): politics of self-government, transportation system, cities, Latin language and Christianity (little remained)- English/Anglo-Saxon Conquest ( Angles, Saxons, Jutes) A. Germanic tribes from the Mediterranean coast: Scandinavia, Denmark and Germany B. the Pagans/heathens异教徒 C. enslaved the Celts and drove others to Wales, Scotland and IrelandD. began feudalism; new social strata: serfs 农奴freemen自由民farmers农民-thanes乡士-earls爵爷kings王爷 E. a medley of different races/ethnic groups; of multiple influences and cultural and political orders -Norman Conquest in 1066 by William, Duke of Normandy from Northern France: A. further established feudalism, and ended the slave system in 14th cen. B. powerful Popedom 教皇制 established (1/3 of land, political right, wide moral degeneration of the clericals; penances or pardons 赦罪令C. highly centralized royal power, but conceded in the 13th cen. with establishment of parliament (1215 the Magna Carta/King John) D. communication with the outside world: diplomatic relations, development of trade and increasing strength for tradesmen and skilled professionals E. influence from outside world in ideology F. coexistence of 3 languages: Latin, the clerical and learned; French, noblemen and royal court; A-S native English/ Celtic dialect (vernacular) for the common Not until the 13th century did English enter the world of official discourse 官方用语. 1258 Henry III issued a proclamation布告 in 3 languages, 14th cen., parliament and court allowed English. (The Dark Age: blind belief of Roman Catholicism and after-life and stagnant philosophical and artistic development). Literature (secular) -the Old English (until A-S period) and Middle English (after 1066)-tales passed on orally by gleemen or minstrels 吟唱诗人until Homers Iliad and Odyssey Old English Period : Beowulf, an Epic A. the most important existent work; the national epic of Anglo-Saxons B. written in 7-8 cen. C. partly-historical and partly-legendaryD. not about England but their homeland in Denmark E. epic form: a long verse narrative on the exploits of a national hero, Beowulf F. the primitive peoples heroic struggle against hostile forces of the natural world under a wise leaderG. pagan elements + Christian coloring: “fate”, “God, “Lord” H. alliteration and Germanic languageMiddle English Literature A. Romance 罗曼史 -Roman, French matters for subjects: Trojan War, Charlemagne, Roland and the knights; chivalric; -English romance: King Arthur and his round-table knights; “Sir Gawain and the Greenknight” (1360-1370), “Le Morte dArthur” by Sir Thomas Malory B. Religious writings and translations (from Hebrew to Latin): Langlands “Piers the Plowman” C. Poetic form: alliterative poetry头韵诗 metrical poetry韵律诗Lecture 2 Geoffrey Chaucer (1340-1400) Father of English poetry /literature l 3 periods of creation: French Romaunt of the Rose, translationItalian (after Dante Divine Comedy, Petrarch and Boccaccio, Decameron; The House of Fame, The Legend of Good Women, Troylus and Criseyde)British (1386-1400) The Canterbury Talesl Contributions: A. the first to present a comprehensive and realistic picture of the English society of his time and created a whole gallery of vivid characters from all walks of life in his masterpiece The Canterbury Tales B. introduced from France the rhymed stanzas of various types to replace the Old English alliterative verseC. the first to use the rhymed couplet of iambic pentameter/heroic couplet l Canterbury Tales: The story: 29 pilgrims, and the poet on the way to Canterbury, stopped at an inn. At the proposal of the host of the Tabard Inn each was to tell 4 stories on the way to and back from Cant. Host be the guide and judge, the best teller gets a free supper at the cost of all the rest upon their return to the inn. Should have been 120 stories, but only 24 completed and preserved, 2 incomplete, 2 unfinished.Theme: influenced by the early Italian Renaissance, he affirms mans right to pursue earthly happiness and opposes asceticism 禁欲说; praises mans energy, intellect, and love of life; exposes and satirizes the social evils, esp. the religious abusesstructure: General prologue (occasion, characters) followed by stories; a separate prologue between two storiescharacterization: vivid portrayal of individualized 个性化characters of the society and of all professions and social strata except the highest and the lowest1. shows respect for the two landed gentry, the plowman and the parson; 2. satirizes all the religious people， except the parson，who are guilty of sins: Pride, Wrath, Envy, Lust, Gluttony, Avarice, and Sloth 3. shows a growing sense of self-importance of the trades/ towns people, reflecting the changing social status, esp. in towns and citiesStyle: lively, vivid Middle-Age English, satire, humour, Heroic Couplet; of unequal meritsthe 3 famous tales: A. the Wife of Baths tale of an Arthurian knightB. the Oxford clerks of a patient young ladyC. the Franklin小地主s about a wifes full submission to her husbandIV. Text study:Comment: l This is a satirical picture of a vain, pretentious nun. Though supposedly in a religious capacity, she had many worldly weaknesses and was in no way a true Christian, let alone a devout clergy person. l The portrait is pervaded by ironical depictions, and the tone is light-hearted and humorous. Readers can only smile in amusement.l In heroic couplet.Text study Chaucers The Canterbury Tales / The PrioressPre-readingYou are going to read Chaucers description of a prioress, a nun who is the head of a religious order or a religious house (e.g. an abbey). Before reading Chaucers description, we could try to create a picture of a nun from our knowledge or imagination.1. Imagine the facial expression of a nun, what words would you use to describe it?2. A nun, especially a prioress, is usually remarkable for the following characteristics (tick the words/expressions of your choice):a solemnity, charm, kindnessb serious/ pleasant/ easy-going/ sombre mannersc full of sense / sensibility3. If she carries a motto, which do you think is more likely to be her choice?a All that glisters is not gold.b Glory belongs to the King.c God helps those who help themselves.d Love conquers all.Discussion1. What is image of the nun? 2. Is she favorably and admirably or satirically portrayed? How?3. What figures of speech are used?Language and Style1. Select a detail which contains humour or irony. What makes it comic or ironic?2. What do you notice about the rhyme at the end of the linesKey information for Memory:3 conquests Beowulf (A-S national epic/Old English literature/native subject/alliteration) “Sir Gawain and the Greenknight”, anonymousWilliam Langlands Piers the Plowman, religiousChaucers Canterbury Tales romance; heroic couplet; alliteration; epic; metric poemAssignment:Reference questions for Renaissance:1. What is Renaissance? How and why did it come about?2. What is the development of drama? What were the original forms and content and practice of drama?3. Why did drama flourish in Elizabethan age? Who are the major playwrights of the time?4. Who is Marlowe? What contributions did he make to English drama?5. Who is Shakespeare? What famous and great plays (history, comedy, tragedy)? What features?6. What did Jonson write about? Representative work?7. Prepare the excerpt from Hamlet (p.31-32). What is it mainly about? What humanist idea can you find in the soliloquy?8. What was the most important translation of the time?Lecture 3-4 Renaissance English LiteratureHistorical backgroundn Hundred Years War with France from 1337 to 1453 n War of Roses from 1455 to 1485 between the House of Lancaster and the House of York n Henry VII founded the Tudor dynasty n the enclosure movement, the commercial expansion and the war with Spain n 16th century - a period of the breaking up of feudal relations and the establishing of the foundations of capitalism England an absolute monarchyn Religious Reformation - end the rule of the Catholic Church - king as both the head of Church and the head of staten Protestantism -the official national religionHenry 8 ( a Tudor Monarch ) In religion, the far-reaching movement of Reformation began in England during Henry VIIIs reign. He declared the break with the Roman Catholic Church and confiscated the property of the Church. Protestantism began to gain ground among the English people. King James BibleIn 1611, appeared in England. It was the work of many learned scholars headed by Bishop Lancelot Andrews, an eloquent orator with an exquisite ear for the cadences of language. King James Bible became the monument of English language and literatureGenesis, or the Creationn God made Adam and Eve and let them live in Garden of Eden.n God warned Adam and Eve not to eat the forbidden fruit on the Tree of Knowledge.n Adam and Eve were all naked. They lived a happy life. They had no feelings of shame.n Satan, in the disguise of a serpent, sneaked into Garden of Eden. He succeeded in inducing Eve to eat the Forbidden Fruit.n Eve gave Adam some fruit, and Adam accepted it gladly.n They realized that they were nude, so they put on fig leaves to cover their body.n God got very angry. They had violated Gods will, so they were punished.n Adam and Eve were driven out of the Garden of Eden. They had to gain their bread by the sweat of their brow.n Adam and Eves descendents must work hard for redemption, otherwise they would never be allowed to go back to heaven.Revelationsn ORIGINAL SINn With Adam and Eves fall, we sin all. Thats why we must work hard to make a living.n Gods will is everything.n Those who violate Gods will must be punished, no matter what the underlying reason is.The Tower of Babeln Long, long ago, all the world spoke the same language and used the same words.n Tired of hard work, people decided to build a city and a high tower with its top in the heavens.n God feared that the people would challenge his authority.n He said to his followers, “Let us go down there and confuse their speech, so that they will not understand what they say to one another.” n God made people speak different languages. People had to give up the plan of building the tower because they could not understand each other. They were dispersed all over the world.Queen Elizabeth the summit of absolute monarchyn Elizabethan age: - progress of bourgeois economy - victory in the Spanish War - commercial expansion abroad - development of art and literature - an unsettled time: peasants uprisingsRenaissance: The DefinitionThe rise of the bourgeoisie showed its influence in cultural life. The result is an intellectual movement known as the Renaissance, or the rebirth of literature. Renaissance sprang in Italy and spread to France, Germany, the Low Countries, and lastly to England. Two features are striking of this movement. One is the thirst for classical literature, the other is the rise of Humanism.HumanismHumanism was the keynote of the Renaissance. People ceased to look upon themselves as living only for God and a future world. They began to admire human beauty and human achievement. Man is no longer the slave of the external world. He can mould the world according to his desires, and attain happiness by removing all external checks.Drama: Origin and Development (1)English drama1.Origin: religious ceremony, church plays2.DevelopmentReligious period mystery plays and miracle plays biblical stories and the stories of the saints; they were played at churches at first; Then with the increasing numbers of actors and plays, the players went to the market places. Miracle plays are the further development of mystery plays. The Second Shepherds PlayMoral period morality plays: focused on the conflict between good and evil through allegorical characters. They were too abstract. So Vice, a lively figure approximated the modern clown, was introduced. (such as Everyman, Good Deeds, Death, Knowledge); EverymanInterludes - a short performance during thethe intervals to enliven the audience after a solemn scene -end of the 15th century -a transition to Elizabethan draman Classical-style comedy and tragedy was in the making in England. n Three unities (unity of time, place and action by Aristotle) 3.Renaissance draman -comedy and tragedy were n established as types of draman -development of theatersn -growth of acting culture4.University witsn -John Lyly, Robert Greene, George peele, Christopher Marlow, Thomas Kyd, Thomas Nashe, Thomas Lodge-technical innovationsn Free Renaissance tragedy from classical restraintsn Develop a comedy tradition more close to life John Lyly: write for a refined, aristocratic audiencen Thomas Kyd: start the tradition of revenge tragedy5.Christopher Marlow(1564-1593) -most gifted “university wit”-The Tragic History of Doctor Faustusn Cause of the tragedy: blind faith in human intellectn Theme: praise of individuality; conviction of the possibility of human efforts in conquering the universe-make blank verse the principal instrument of English drama6. William ShakespeareAll the worlds a stage, and all the men and women merely players.1)Dramatic career:-the first period: apprenticeship-the second period: full of sunshine and laughter-the third period: full of storm and clouds-the fourth period: principal tragicomedies2)Great comedies:-sing of love, youth, and ideal of happinessA Midsummer Nights DreamThe Merchant of VeniceAs You Like It, Twelfth Night-two groups of characters:n Young men and womenn Simple and shrewd clowns and other common people-respect women 3)Great tragedies:social contradictions and social evilsHamlet, Othello, King Lear, Macbeth4) Historical playspolitical plays:the necessity for national unity under one sovereignHenry 5, the only ideal king, a symbol of English glory5) Features of his dramatic works:n Shakespeare is a realist.-authentic panorama of his age-characters are representatives of the people of his timen Shakespeare is a master of English language.-language reveals the peculiarities of his character-use about 16,000 words in his writings-create a lot of new words and expressionsn Shakespeare is good at many poetic forms. blank verse 6）Literary TermsComedyn Comedy is a light form of drama, which aims primarily to amuse and which ends happily. Since it strives to provoke smiles and laughter, both wit and humor are utilized. In general, the comic effect arises from recognition of some incongruity of speech, action, or character revelation, with intricate plot. Viewed in another sense, comedy may be considered to deal with people in their human state, restrained and often made ridiculous by their limitations, faults, bodily functions, and animal nature. The general spirit of these comedies is optimism. Tragedyn a serious play or novel representing the disastrous downfall of a central character, the protagonist. According to Aristot