古英语文学

England was conquered by the Romans, the Anglo-Saxons, and the Normans.

The latter two conquests much affected England.

The Anglo-Saxons brought to England the Germanic language and culture, while the Normans brought a fresh wave of Mediterranean civilization. This civilization includes Greek culture, Roman law, and the Christian religion.

The cultural influences of these two conquests provided the source for the rise and growth of English literature.

England was conquered by

the Romans ( Julius Caesar invaded in 54 B.C.—75 A.D. the Emperor Claudius conquered; The Roman Wall of York; the Roman Empire in Britain collapsed by 410 A.D)

the Anglo-Saxons (the year 449 as the starting point of Anglo-Saxon epoch; they stayed there and had the language )

the Normans (On Christmas day 1066, William of Normandy became William I of England.)

William I

The cultural influences

The Anglo-Saxons brought

Germanic language and culture

The Normans brought

Mediterranean civilization

Greek culture

Roman law

Christian religion

The setting and the hero have nothing to do with England, for the

story took place in Scandinavia.

The story describes Beowulf in fighting against the monster Grendel,

his revengeful mother and a fire-breathing dragon.

It is an example of the mingling of nature myths and heroic legends.

Beowulf Beowulf, written in Old English sometime

before the 10th century A.D., describes the

adventures of a great Scandinavian warrior of

the sixth century. A rich fabric of fact and

fancy, Beowulf is the oldest surviving epic（史

诗）in British literature.

Characteristics of Anglo-Saxon Literature

Anglo-Saxon literature did not begin with books, but with spoken verse and songs or poems such as epic poems. The purpose of these forms of literature was to pass along tribal history and values to a population who could not read or write. Warriors would gather in mead halls were scops and their assistants (gleemen) would recite poems or songs for hours or even days as a form of entertainment or ceremonial occasions. These poems were made very catchy so they could easily be recalled and thus retold. These poems surely consisted of the use of kennings, alliteration, and rhymes. Literature such as epic poems show the influence of Christianity and pagan beliefs such as the freedom of decision making and fate handling matters of life and death.

11th-14th

1. Geoffrey of Monmouth—“The History of the Kings of Britain”: King Arthur and his Round Table Knights; Lear; Cymbeline;.

2. Roger Bacon: the father of experimental scientist

Anglo- Norman (French) literature: romances

Social satires in verse

Second half of 14th c

“Of the Truth of the Holy Scriptures”:

absolute authority of the Bible

“Of Divine Dominion” & “Of

Civilian Dominion”: clergy has no

right to hold property