英国文学——盎格鲁撒克逊时代

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Stowa Dark Ages: Three Elements that Join

Anglo-Saxon Life
NOT barbarians, though often depicted that way Warfare was the order of the day Law and order was the responsibility of the leader
Anglo-Saxon Religion

More concerned with ethics than mysticism – with the earthly virtues of bravery, loyalty, generosity, and friendship
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The Anglo-Saxon Invasions of Britain
Anglo-Saxons Sweep Ashore
5th
Century Angles and Saxons from Germany Jutes from Denmark Attack across the North Sea Drove old Britons out before them “Germanic” Language became dominant in Engla land from the Angles

Monks
Recorded works of oral tradition in the language of the people: Old English Recorded principal works in Latin, the language of the Church Copied manuscripts by hand in scriptorium (a covered walkway); oiled paper or glass kept out some weather
Celts
Early
inhabitants Tall, blonde warriors Group within group: Brythons (sounds like….)
Celtic Religion

Animism – from Latin word for “spirit” Everything had spirits: rivers, trees, stones, ponds, fire, thunder Spirits had to be constantly satisfied Druids, priests, acted as intermediaries between gods and people Ritual dances, rites: Stonehenge?

Anglo-Saxon Religion



Religion persisted despite influx of Christianity Dark, fatalistic religion from Germany Like Norse/Scandinavian mythology Odin: god of death, poetry, and magic; called Woden (Woden‟s Day: Wednesday) Dragon: significant figure; guardian of the grave, and “death the devourer”

Language
Latin remained the language of „serious‟ study King Alfred‟s Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, a history of England, helped English gain respect as a language of culture

The Spread of Christianity
Christianity
Irish and Continental missionaries converted Anglo-Saxon kings and the people followed Provided a common faith and a common system of morality Linked England to Europe
Anglo-Saxon Women
Women inherited and held property Retained control of property even when married Husband had to offer marriage gift Woman had personal control of gift Woman became Abbesses Rights ended with Norman conquest

Bards: Entertainers/Historians
Scops Skilled storytellers Equal in stature to warriors; creating poetry just as important as hunting, fishing, farming, or loving

Strummed harp Told stories of heros Fame in poetry: defense against death


Anglo-Saxon Success
Fame and success gained only through LOYALTY to the leader Success measured in gifts from the leader

Anglo-Saxon Life


Dominated by need to protect People lived close to animals in single-family homesteads around common area or a warm, fire-lit chieftan‟s hall Wooden stockade fence around all Arrangement brought closeness to leader and followers Rule by consensus

Roman Evacuation
Trouble at home (Italy) Evacuated Britain, leaving fixtures but no central government Island weak, ripe for invasion

Video breaFra Baidu bibliotek: 3
British Literature
Introduction
The British Isles

Look at the maps on page 4 & 87 of your text.
The Anglo-Saxon Period
449-1066
Ancient World
isolated
rain-drenched green dotted

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The Dark Ages Roman Britain

Roman Invaders
55 B.C. Julius Caesar began invasions and claimed Britain for Rome Claudius settled Britain in earnest about 100 years later
and often fogged in
with thatched cottages, quaint stone churches, and mysterious stone ruins
British Influence on America
Common
law Parliamentary Government Literature Language

Christian Monasteries
Centers of learning Culturally and spiritually coexisted with the heroic ideals and traditions of the Anglo-Saxon religion Preserved some of the older traditions by recorded works of popular literature

Roman Contributions
Armies to defend Britain against further invasions Network of roads (some still in use) Defensive wall 73 miles long (Hadrian‟s Wall) Public baths Brought Christianity and Celtic religion began to vanish
Anglo-Saxon Invasion
Celts put up a fight, then retreated to Wales Welsh chieftain: Arthur

The Danes Invade
Alfred the Great unified the independent principalities against the invading Danes (Vikings, pirates, from Denmark) Plundered and destroyed a path through the country before settling in northeast and central England Battle continued until 1066 (over 150 years), when William, Duke of Normandy, defeated them all
Celtic Mythology
Arthur – legendary Celtic warrior; became embodiment of English values (Sir Thomas Malory, 15th Century, Le Morte D‟Arthur) Different from Anglo-Saxon (which came later) Full of strong women Enchanted lands where magic and imagination rule