英国文学教案

1、Part VI The 18th CenturyQuestion:Analyze Gullivers Travels to illustrate the use of satire in it.Answer:1) The first part is full of references to current politics. Lilliput is the miniature of England.Swifts satire is directed against the English ruling class, the two political parties（the Tories a

2、nd the Whigs）and the religious disputes.2) In the second part, the King of Brobdingnag is described as a wise and kind king, and the inhabitants are said to be a civilized race.After Gullivers account of the English society, the King condemns the English social system and the aggressive wars. Here w

3、e see that the writer censures these evils through the mouth of the King. 3) In the country of Laputa, the King and his ministers use cruel methods to suppress any rebellion of the people living on the condition below. Swift condemns the cruelty of the ruling class to the people. This part contains

4、Swifts sharp satire against all kinds of English social institutions. It is a parody on scholars and projectors. 4) The fourth part has been considered the best part of the book because the satire here is the sharpest and the bitterest. It shows Swifts hatred and disgust for those people who bring e

5、vils and inhuman life modes to human society.Part V: The 17-th Century Question:Satan is the best developed character in Paradise Lost. Identify his character traits.Answer1.1) Satan, like a conquered and banished giant, remains obeyed and admired by those who follow him down to hell. He is firmer t

6、han the rest of the angels.2) Satan is the spirit of questioning the authority of God. When he gets to the Garden of Eden, he believes in no reason why Adam and Eve should not taste the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge.3) Though defeated, Satan prevails; though wounded, he triumphs; though feeble in f

7、orce, he remains superior in nobility.Satan prefers independence to happy servility, and welcomes his defeat and his torments as a glory, a liberty and a joy. Satan is the real hero of the poem.Part IV. The Renaissance Questions:1. How does Shakespeare condemn the social evils of his time in his fou

8、r great tragedies?2. Make comments on the heroines in Shakespeares comedies.Answers:1. Hamlet presents a hero whose weakness makes him peculiarly vulnerable in fighting against the outward evil .Othello shows how an outward evil makes use of the heros weakness and causes his fall.Macbeth reveals how

9、 outward evil stirs up the wickedness in man and destroys him.King Lear demonstrates how mans mistake sets free the evils of treachery, hypocrisy, flattery, licentiousness, utter selfishness and distrust among the members of the upper classes, destroying not only innocent people but the whole countr

10、y.Part III: Geoffrey Chaucer (1340 ?1400)Questions:1. What is the function of the General Prologue to The Canterbury Tales?2. How does the author emphasize the transition from nature to divinity?3. Comment on Chaucers contribution of rhymed stanzas.Answer:1. 1) The General Prologue is usually regard

11、ed as the greatest portrait gallery in English literature. 2) The purpose of the General Prologue is not only to present a vivid collection of character sketches, but also to reveal the authors intention in bringing together a great variety of people and narrative materials to unite the diversity of

12、 the tales by allotting them to a diversity of tellers. 3) The pilgrims serve as the representatives of various sides of life and social groups and a microcosm of the14th century English society. 4) There is also an intimate connection between tales and the Prologue, both complementing each other. T

13、he Prologue provides a framework for the tales.Part II: The Anglo-Norman Period Questions:1. What are the major subjects that the English Romance mainly deals with?2. What is the influence of the Norman Conquest upon English language and literature?3. Make comments on the romance “Sir Gawain and the

14、 Green Knight”.Answer:1. The English romance mainly deals with three major subjects:the “ Matter of France”；the “ Matter of Rome”；and the “ Matter of Britain”.2. 1) After the conquest, the body of customs and ideals known as chivalry was introduced by the Normansinto England. The knightly code, the

15、romantic interest in women, tenderness and reverence paid to Virgin Mary were reflected in the literature.2) French words of warfare and chivalry, art and luxury, science and law, began to come into the English language.3) The literature was varied in interest and extensive in range. The Normansbega

16、n to write histories or chronicles. The prevailing form of literature in the feudal Englandwas the Romance.Power by YOZOSOFT Part I The Anglo-Saxon Period Questions: 1. What are the three parts told in the story of Beowulf? How is heroic ideal reflected in Beowulf?2. What are the main characteristic

17、s of Anglo-Saxon literature?Answer: 1. 1) Beowulf is a pagan poem concerned with the heroic ideal of kings and kinship in North Europe. Battleis a way of life at that time. Strength and courage are basic virtues for both kings and his warriors. 2) The king should protect his people and show gentleness and generosity to his warriors. And in return, his warriors should show absolute obedience and loyalty to the king. 3) By praising Beowulfs wisdom, strength and courage, and by glorifying his death