英国文学史大纲.doc

英国文学史大纲Chapter 1 Early and Medieval English Literature (5th century -15th century)I. King Alfreds The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle 盎格鲁-撒克逊编年史II. Beowulf 贝奥武甫 a national epic and the first major poem in European vernacular language written in alliteration the use of metaphors and of understatements give an impression of reserve and at a time a tinge of ironical humor.III. Three major themes of the romance (骑士文学): The Matter of Britain The Matter of France The Matter of RomeIV. The Robin Hood BalladsV. Sir Thomas Malorys (托马斯马洛礼) The Death of Arthur (亚瑟王之死)VI. Geoffrey Chaucer (杰弗里乔叟，poet) 1. Masterpieces: The Book of the Duchess 公爵夫人之书 The House of Fame 声誉之宫 Anelida and Arcite 安妮丽达与阿赛托 Parlement of Foules 百鸟会议 Troilus and Criseyde特洛伊罗斯与克丽西达 The Legend of good women 贤妇传说 The Canterbury Tales 坎特伯雷故事集 2. The Canterbury Tales It should be an immense work of 124 stories. Only 24 were written. Incomplete as they are, these tales cover practically all the major types of medieval literature: courtly romance, folk tale, beast fable, story of travel and adventure, saints life, allegorical tale, sermon, alchemical account,and others. All these tales but two are written in verse. The general tone of the book is one of good-natured humor that is tolerant of human weaknesses; only the parasitic monks are consistently depicted in the satiric vein. The marvelous quality of Chaucers humanism is vividly revealed in the Tales optimistic affirmation of life, loving interest in man, sense of social justice, feeling for the common people, and democratic spirit. 3. Chaucers contribution Forerunner of Humanism Chaucer affirms mens and womens right to pursue earthly happiness and opposed asceticism. He praises mans energy, intellect, quick wit and love of life and he exposes and satirizes the social vices, including the corruption of the Church. The founder of English Realism Chaucer, for the first time in English literature, presents to the readers a comprehensive realistic picture of the English society of his time and describes a series of vivid characters from all walks of life in The Canterbury Tales. Father of English poetry Chaucer introduces from France the rhymed stanzas of various types to English poetry to replace the old English alliterative verse. He is the first to use the rhymed couplet of iambic pentameter, which is to be called the heroic couplet. Thus, he lays the foundation of the English tonic-syllabic verse. Master of the English language Chaucer is the first great poet who wrote in the current English. His production of so much excellent poetry is an important factor in establishing English as the literary language of the country. Chaucer uses London dialect in his writings and he contributes to making it the foundation for modern English speech.Chapter 2 English Literature of the Renaissance (1500-1640)I. The Renaissance/the rebirth of letters The English Renaissance was a cultural and artistic movement in England dating from the early 16th century to the early 17th century. The most important characteristics of this movement are the exaltation of man and an absorption in earthly life. The humanists expressed their admiration for human beauty and human achievement. They believed that man could mould the world according to his will and attain happiness by removing the external check.II. Thomas Moores (托马斯莫尔) Utopia (乌托邦)III. Edmund Spensers (埃德蒙斯宾塞, the poets poet) The Shepheardes Calender (牧羊人日记) and The Faerie Queene (仙后)IV. Francis Bacon (弗朗西斯培根，scientist, thinker, philosopher and essayist) 1. Masterpieces The Advancement of Learning (学术的进步) Novum Organum (New Instrument) (新工具论) The Essays (论说文集) 2. Bacons contribution The founder of English materialist philosophy, and the father of Empiricism The founder of modern science in England The first English essayistV. William Shakespeare (威廉莎士比亚，dramatist) 1. Shakespeares literary career The First Period (1590-1600)1) 1590-1594 (the period of his apprenticeship in play): historical play; varieties of comedy; the revenge tragedy and the romantic tragedyHenry VI (亨利六世)Richard III (理查德三世)The Comedy of Errors (错误的喜剧)Titus Andronicus (泰特斯安德洛尼斯)The Taming of the Shrew (驯悍记)The Two Gentlemen of Verona (维洛纳二绅士)Loves Labours Lost (爱的徒劳)Romeo and Juliet (罗密欧与朱丽叶)2)1595-1600 (mature period): a period of “great comedies” and mature historical plays (four great comedies: A Midsummer Nights Dream; The Merchant of Venice; As You Like It; Twelfth Night)Richard II (理查德二世)A Mid-Summer Nights Dream (仲夏夜之梦)King John (约翰王)The Merchant of Venice (威尼斯商人)Henry IV (亨利四世)Much Ado About Nothing (无事生非)Henry V (亨利五世)The Merry Wives of Windsor (温莎的风流娘儿们)Julius Caesar (裘力斯凯撒)As You Like It (皆大欢喜)Twelfth Night (第十二夜) The Second Period (1601-1608): the period of “great tragedies” and “dark comedies”(荒诞喜剧) (four great tragedies: Hamlet; Othello; King Lear; Macbeth) Hamlet (哈姆雷特) Troilus and Cressida (特洛伊斯与克瑞西达)Alls Well That Ends Well (终成眷属)Measure for Measure (一报还一报)Othello (奥赛罗)King Lear (李尔王)Macbeth (麦克白)Antony and Cleopatra (安东尼与克莉奥佩特拉)Coriolanus (科利奥兰纳斯)Timon of Athens (雅典的泰门)Pericles (泰尔亲王佩力克斯) The Third Period (1609-1612): the period of romantic dramaCymbeline (辛白林)The Winters Tale (冬天的故事)The Tempest (暴风雨)Henry VIII (亨利八世) 2. Features of Shakespeares Dramatic Works Shakespeare is one of the founders of realism in the world literature. He described the decaying of the feudal society and the rising of the bourgeois spirit. Shakespeare borrowed his plots from old stories of Greek and Roman, Italian and English. Shakespeares dramatic works are very elastic. The action develops freely, without being hindered by the classical rules of three unities (i.e. unities of time, place, and action) Shakespeare was skilled in many poetic forms: the Song, the sonnet, the couplet, and the dramatic blank verse.Shakespeare was a great master of English language. In his drama, he used about 16,000 words. Many of his new coinages and turns of expression have become everyday usage in English life. 3. Shakespeares contribution Shakespeare has been universally acknowledged to be the summit of the English Renaissance, and one of the greatest writers the world over. He is also widely regarded as the greatest writer of English language and the worlds pre-eminent dramatist. He transformed English theatre by expanding expectations about what could be accomplished through characterization, plot, language and genre. Shakespeares writings have also influenced a large number of notable novelists and poets over the years.VI. Ben Jonson (本琼生，poet, playwright and critic) 1. Masterpieces Every Man in His Humour 个性互异人各有癖 Every Man out of His Humour个性使然人各有怨 Cynthias Revels 辛西娅的狂欢 The Poetaster 冒牌诗人 Volpone, or the Fox 伏尔蓬奈狐狸 The Alchemist 炼金士 Bartholomew Fair 巴索洛缪市场 2. Ben Jonsons contribution Comedies of humours: a “humour” is a predominant peculiarity of a certain person, which determines his behaviour, thoughts and manner of speech.V. Christopher Marlowe (克里斯多弗马洛，a playwright of “university wits”) 1. Masterpieces Dido, Queen of Carthage 迦太基女王狄多 Tamburlaine 帖木儿 The Jew of Malta 马耳他的犹太人 The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus 浮士德博士的悲剧 2. Social significance of Marlowes plays These plays show, in various ways, the spirit of the rising bourgeoisie, its eager curiosity for knowledge, its towering pride, its insatiable appetite for power whether that be won by military might, knowledge, or gold. The theme of Marlowes plays is the praise of individuality freed from the restraints of medieval dogmas and law, and the conviction of the boundless possibility of human efforts in conquering the universe. However, the heroes in Marlowes plays are merely individualists. Their individualistic ambition often brings ruin to the world and sometimes to themselves. 3. Marlowes contributionHe was the greatest of the pioneers of English drama. He reformed the English drama and perfected the language and verse of dramatic works. It is Marlowe who first made blank verse (rhymeless iambic pentameter) the principal instrument of English drama.Marlowes dramatic achievement lies chiefly in his epical, and at times lyrical, verse. He was famous for his “mighty line”. It is mighty and plastic.His work paved the way for the plays of the greatest English dramatistShakespeare.Chapter 3 English Literature during the English Bourgeois Revolution and the Restoration (1640-1688)I. The Metaphysical Poets & the Cavalier Poets 1. The Metaphysical Poets John Donne (约翰邓恩) Andrew Marvell (安德鲁马维尔) 2. The Cavalier Poets Robert Herrick (罗伯特赫里克) John Dryden (约翰德莱顿)II. John Milton (约翰弥尔顿，poet) 1. Masterpieces LAllegro 欢乐的人欢乐颂 IL Penseroso 沉思的人 沉思颂 Lycidas 黎西达斯 Comus 考玛斯 On his Blindness 失明 On his Deceased Wife 悼亡妻 Paradise Lost 失乐园 Paradise Regained 复乐园 Samson Agonistes 力士参孙 Areopagitica 论出版自由 2. Paradise Lost Paradise lost is a long epic in 12 books, written in blank verse. The stories were taken from the Old Testament: the creation; The rebellion in Heaven of Satan and his fellow-angels; their defeat and expulsion from Heaven; the creation of the earth and of Adam and Eve; the fallen angels in hell plotting against God; Satans temptation of Eve; and the departure of Adam and Eve from Eden. The picture of God surrounded by his angels, who never think of expressing any opinions of their own, resembles the court of an absolute monarch, while Satan and his followers, who freely discuss all issues in council, bear close resemblance to a republican Parliament. This alone is sufficient to prove that Miltons revolutionary feelings made him forsake religious orthodoxy. 3. Miltons contributionHe was a militant pamphleteer of the English Revolution, and the greatest English revolutionary poet of 17th century. He wrote the greatest epic in English literature. He is a master of the blank verse. He is a great stylist. (grand style) Milton has always been admired for his sublimity of thought and majesty of expression.III. John Bunyan (约翰班扬，Christian writer) 1. Masterpieces Prison Meditations 狱中沉思 Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners 丰盛的恩典/罪人受恩记 The Pilgrims Progress 天路历程 The Life and Death of Mr. Badman 坏人先生传 The Holy War 圣战 A Holy Life 圣洁的生活 2. The Pilgrims Progress The Pilgrims Progress is a Christian allegory published in 1678. It is regarded as one of the most significant works of religious English literature. It is a religious allegory. Though an allegory, its characters impress the reader like real persons. In this book, Bunyan cherished a deep hatred of both the king and his government. His prose is admirable. It is popular speech ennobled by the solemn dignity and simplicity of the language of the English Bible.Chapter 4 Eighteenth Century English Literature (1688-1789)I. The Enlightenment The Enlightenment, a progressive intellectual movement throughout Western Europe in the eighteenth century, spread into England. The Enlighteners considered “enlightenment” or “education” of the people to be their chief mission. They believed in the power of reason, rather than emotion. The eighteenth century is thus known as “the Age of Reason”. The moderate The moderate group supported the principles of the existing social order and considered partial reforms adequate. The most important writers of this group include Alexander Pope (亚历山大蒲柏), Daniel Defoe (丹尼尔笛福), Joseph Addison (约瑟夫艾迪生), Richard Steele (理查德斯梯尔), and Samuel Richardson (塞缪尔理查逊). The radical The radical wing struggled for more resolute democratization in the management of the government and even partly defended the interests of the exploited. The representatives of this group include Jonathan Swift (乔纳森斯威夫特), Henry Fielding (亨利菲尔丁)，Tobias Smollett (托比亚斯斯摩莱特), Richard Brinsley Sheridan (理查德布林斯利谢里丹), and Oliver Goldsmith (奥利弗哥德史密斯).II. Neo-classicism (the early eighteenth century) Neo-classicism as a literary trend first originated in France. Boileaus (布瓦洛) LArt Poetique (诗的艺术) is considered as the declaration of Neo-classicism. Main characteristics of Neo-classicism can be summarized as follows: emphasis on reason rather than emotion; preference for elegance, correctness, symmetry, clearness and appropriateness; focus on “town” and “society” instead of nature or country things. The Neo-classicists modeled themselves after Greek and Latin authors, and tried to control literary creation by some fixed laws and rules drawn from Greek and Latin works. The representatives of this literary trend include Addison, Steele, Pope and Johnson. Johnsons Dictionary (A Dictionary of the English Language,约翰逊字典) marked an epoch in the study of English language and the end of English writers reliance on the patronage of noblemen for support.III. Sentimentalism in English poetry and prose (the middle of the eighteenth century) Sentimentalism presented a new view of human nature which prized feeling over thinking, passion over reason, and personal instincts of “pity, tenderness, and benevolence” over social duties. Gray (格雷), Goldsmith, Sterne (斯特恩) and Richardson are representatives of this school. They were discontent with the social reality and the so-called reason. They criticized the cruelty of the capitalist society and its injustices, and they appeal to “sentiment” and “human heart”. They were sympathetic for the poverty-stricken peasants. Sentimentalism marks a transition from Neo-classicism to Romanticism in English poetry.IV. The beginning of modern novel People generally hold that the modern European novel started after the Renaissance with Cervantes (塞万提斯) Don Quixote (堂吉诃德). The forerunners of English novel in this period were Defoe, Swift, Richardson, Fielding, Smollett and Sterne. 1. Daniel Defoe (丹尼尔笛福, writer, journalist and pamphleteer) He is notable for being one of the earliest proponents of the novel, as he helped to popularize the form in Britain, and is even referred to by some as among the founders of the English novel. Paper & Pamphlet: The Review (评论) made him sometimes called father of modern journalism. The Shortest Way with the Dissenters (消灭不同教派的捷径) Masterpieces Captain Singleton 辛格尔顿船长The Life and Strange Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe 鲁宾逊漂流记Colonel Jacque 杰克上校Moll Flanders 摩尔弗兰德斯A Journal of the Plague Year 瘟疫年纪事Roxana 罗克萨娜History of the Devil 魔鬼政治史 Robinson Crusoe1) The character of Robinson Crusoe He is representative of the English bourgeoisie at the earlier stages of its development. He is most practical and exact, always religious and at the same time mindful of his own profit. 2) Defoes Robinson Crusoe was one of the forerunners of the English realistic novel. It creates the image of an enterprising Englishman, typical of the English bourgeoisie of the 18th century. The novel glorifies both physical and mental labor. In the meanwhile, it also shows the authors attitude towards colonialism and Negro slaverythe author beautifies colonialism and Negro slavery. Defoes contribution 1) He is one of the founders of the English novel, and sometimes is called the father of English novel. 2) He is sometimes called father of modern journalism. 2. Jonathan Swift (乔纳森斯威夫特，Irish satirist, essayist, political pamphleteer, poet.) Masterpieces A Tale of a Tub 一只桶的故事Battle of the Books 书的战争Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World, by Lemuel Gulliver/Gullivers Travels 格列佛游记 Gullivers Travels 1) The book presents itself as a simple travelers narrative with the disingenuous title Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World, its authorship assigned only to Lemuel Gulliver, first a surgeon, then a captain of several ships. The text is presented as a first-person narrative by the supposed author, and the name Gulliver appears nowhere in the book other than the title page. 2) The book proper then is divided into four parts: a voyage to Lilliput; a voyage to Brobdingag; a voyage to Laputa, Balnibarbi, Luggnagg, Glubbdubdrib, and Japan; a voyage to the country of the Houyhnhnms. 3) A Voyage to Lilliput is the first part of Gullivers Travels. In this part Gulliver describes his shipwreck in Lilliput where the tallest people were six inches high. The emperor believed himself to be the delight and terror of the universe, but it appeared quite absurd to Gulliver who was twelve times as tall as he. In his account of the two parties in the country, distinguished by the use of high and low heels, Swift satirizes the Tories and the Whigs in England. Religious disputes were laughed at in an account of a problem which divided the Lilliputians:”Should eggs be broken at the big end or the little end?” 4) Swift hated all kinds of oppression-political, economical and religious. But he cherished a great love for the people. His Gullivers Travels gives an unparalleled satirical depicti