新编英国文学选读(上)Chapter4.doc

Chapter 4 The 15th century (1400 1550)一 Historical background1. The Hundred Years War (1337 1453) Henry VI-a puppet French heroine Joan of Arc In 1453, all English territory in France was lost to the French only Calais to English king 2. The War of the Roses (1455 1485)a series of civil wars fought between the two great families, both of which claimed the right to the English throne. All noble families were involved in it. The House of Lancaster-red rose The House of York - white roseResult: Henry Tudor (VII) married Elizabeth of the House of York -brought compromise between the two families and established a highly consolidated rule.3. The discovery of America and the new sea routes1)Christopher Columbus, 1492, landed in America2)Vascoda Gama, 1497, round the tip of Africa and reached India3)John Cabot and his son Sebastian, 1498, provided the basis for the English claim to North America4. Reformation of the churchHenry VIII took decisive measure to break away from the Church of Rome.1534-He passed the Act of Supremacy: as the supreme head on earth, thus the Anglican Church was founded2 Ballads1.The basic characteristics of ballads1）The beginning is often abrupt: without any introduction of the characters and the background of the tale2）There are strong dramatic elements: single episode, climax, intensity and immediacy 3）The story is often told through dialogue and action4）The theme is often tragic, though there are a umber of comic ballads5）The ballad meter is used: four-line stanzas odd numbered lines with 4 feet each even numbered lines with 3 feet each2. Subject matter of the ballads English ballads: the Robin Hood ballads war ballad, bloodshed ballad, superstition ballad, domestic affairs, outlawry, love, sea, and border ballad.3.Collections of balladsBishop Thomas Percy, Reliques of Ancient English PoetryProfessor F. J. Child, English and Scottish Ballads3. Literature in the 15th century1. Popular BalladsReview the definition and the main feature of ballads2. Sir Thomas Malory (1405 1471)1)The Death of Arthur: complied together the stories of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table2)contribution to the development of English prose3)left a legacy to later writers that many of them used as subject matter in their writing3. Early English plays ancient Greece and Rome, drama was a form of entertainment roman catholic church prohibited it 9th and 10th century allowed only for religious services 14th century developed into 2 kindsMystery plays -are chiefly based