英国文学 上册 大作品赏析汇总

1.Beowulf

(1)Style: It is an epic written in Wessex dialect. It contains 3183 lines and the story in it is based on partly historical and partly legendary materials.

(2)Characters: Hrothgar(Danish King);

Grendel(monster)A demon descended from Cain. Grendel preys on Hrothgar’s warriors in the king’s mead-hall, Heorot. Because Grendel’s ruthless and miserable existence is part of the retribution exacted by God for Cain’s murder of Abel, Grendel fits solidly within the ethos of vengeance that governs the world of the poem. ;

Beowulf(finally rules wisely and well for 50 years; He is a glorious hero,protector of people and has high spiritual qualities, resolution to serve his country, true courage,courteous, love of honor) He is the protagonist of the poem. Beowulf is a Geatish hero who fights the monster Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and a fire-breathing dragon. Beowulf’s exploits prove him to be the strongest, ablest warrior of his time. In his youth, he personifies the values of the heroic culture. In his old age, he proves a wise and effective ruler. ; Wiglaf(companion,help Beowulf kill the dragon) (3)Artistic features or techniques: (the poem is a mixture of paganism and Christian elements);caesura,alliteration,accented syllable, kenning,exaggeration,repetition,variation

(4)Theme: a vivid picture of how the primitive people wage heroic struggles against the hostile forces of the natural world under a wise and mighty leader.

2.Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

(1)Style: The poem is a brilliant example of the wisdom of the minstrels of the Middle Ages.It contains several elements:(1)a vivid portrayal of the hero and a fine analysis of his psychology.(2)a well undefined and exciting plot full of climaxes and surprises.(3) the three hunting scenes are closely related to each other.(4) a mixture of Anglo-Saxon and France poetry,combine alliterative verse with metrical verse.

(2)Characters and plot: King Arthur held a feast with his Round Table Knights at Camelot(Green Kight) Sir Gawain ax his head; Sir seeks the Green Chapel(a castle);deer(mild and gentle),boat and fox(3 kiss and a girdle,he violates the chivalric code of honesty);host of the castle-Green Knight(coward&covetous) forgave him and gave the girdle back.

Sir Gawain- The story’s protagonist, Arthur’s nephew and one of his most loyal knights. Although he modestly disclaims it, Gawain has the reputation of being a great knight and courtly lover. He prides himself on his observance of the five points of chivalry in every aspect of his life. Gawain is a pinnacle of humility, piety, integrity, loyalty, and honesty. His only flaw proves to be that he loves his own life so much that he will lie in order to protect himself. Gawain leaves the Green Chapel penitent and changed.

Green Knight:The Green Knight shows himself to be a supernatural being when he picks up his own severed head and rides out of Arthur’s court, still speaking. At the same time, he seems to symbolize the natural world, in