英美文学古世纪中世纪英语

(一) The Old and Medieval English Period

1. Two Major Foundations in Western Culture

（1）Greco-Roman foundation : based on rationality (理性) and humanism(人文主义）希腊罗马的理性传统

（2）Judeo-Christian foundation : based on divinity (神性) and faith（信仰）; focusing on exploring the soul world. 犹太-基督教传统

（3）两希文明：希腊；希伯来Hebrew

2.Old English Literature （449-1066）

（1）Old English, or Anglo-Saxon period extends from the invasion of Teutons（Germans）to the Norman Conquest.

（2）The three tribes ：Angles(盎格鲁人), Saxons（撒克逊人）and Jutes（朱特人）developed into one single language: Anglo-Saxon , or old English.

（3）Main literary forms: poetry and prose

（4）Two divisions: pagan/secular (Beowulf) & religious (Caedmon, Cynewulf)

3.The Song of Beowulf 贝奥武甫

（1）An Anglo-Saxon poetry & a national epic of English people.

（2）originally in the oral form in 6th century and the present one written in 10th.

（3）3182 lines

（4）It is essentially concerned with the heroic ideal of kings and kingship in Northern Europe: courage，strength and wisdom. Beowulf is shown not only as a great hero, but also as a savior of the people.

4.The significance of Beowulf

（1）It is the longest & finest of extant（现存的）old English poems & the national epic of the English people.

（2）This glorious epic presents us a vivid picture of the life of Anglo-Saxon people and highly praises the brave and courageous spirit of the fighting against the elemental forces.

（3）The epic reflects the situations and life of pagan tribalism and of the Christianized feudal society.

（4）The epic gives the vivid portrayal of a great national hero, strong and courageous people. 5.Epic（史诗）

It is, originally, an oral narrative poem, majestic both in theme and style. Epics deal with legendary or historical events of national or universal significance, involving action of broad sweep and grandeur. Most epics deal with the exploits of a single individual, thereby giving unity to the composition. Great epics include The Iliad 伊利亚特and The Odyssey奥德赛by Homer.

6.Artistic features

（1）Alliteration 头韵

In alliterative verse, certain stressed words in a line begin with the same consonant or consonant clusters. There are 4 stresses in a line generally, three or two of which begin with the same sound or letter.

（2）Kennings 隐喻

A metaphorical phrase or compound word used to name a person, place, thing, or event indirectly.

A kenning enhances the literal meaning of the words. A kenning gives the listener an idea of how

the words connect to an idea or concept that is richer and more emotionally complex.

A metaphor expresses the unfamiliar in terms of the familiar.

（3）Understatements 低调陈述

It is a speech of figure used to mean simply “more” than what is literally stated. The speaker says P but means more than P. The use of understatements gives an impression of reserve, and at times, a tinge of ironical humor. This quality is often regarded as a permanent characteristic of English.

Medieval English Literature(1066-1485).

7.Ballad

（1）The most important form of English folk literature is the ballad.

（2）Oral literature of English people

（3）a story told in song

（4）usually in 4-line stanzas, with the second and fourth lines rhymed (a b c b ).

（5）Various kinds: historical, legendary, fantastical, lyrical and humorous.

（6）Various subjects: the struggle of young lovers against feudal-minded families, the conflict between love and wealth, the cruelty of jealousy and the criticism of the civil war.

（7）Robin Hood Ballads was the most important ballad of that time.

8.Robin Hood Ballads

（1）Origin: peasants’ struggle against the landlords, local officials and the king’s judges

（2）Character: Robin Hood is a partly historical and partly legendary character. Hatred for the cruel oppressors and love for the poor; pious in religion; reverence for the King.

（3）Social Significance: showing the fighting spirit, courage and revolutionary energy of English peasantry.