《英美文学选读》笔记

P3Middle English literature strongly reflects the principles (原则) of the medieval Christina doctrine (中世纪基督教学说) , which were primarily (主要) concerned with the issue of personal salvation (拯救)P4Geoffrey Chaucer is the greatest writer of this period.Chaucer characteristically( 表示特性地) regard life in term of aristocratic ideals (贵族理想) ,but he never lost the ability of regarding life as a purely(纯粹地) practical matter , the art of being at once involved in and detached from a given situation is peculiarly (特有地) Chaucer’sChaucer bore （带有）marks of humanism and anticipated ( 预期的)a new era (时代) to comeIn short, Chaucer develops his characterization (描述) to a higher artistic (艺术的,有美感的) level by presenting characters (引出人物) with both typical and individual dispositions (部署)Chaucer’s reputation (名誉) has been securely established as one of the best English poets for his wisdom, humor and humanityChapter 1Renaissances: The Renaissances which means rebirth or revival, is actually a movement stimulated ( 刺激) by a series of historical events, In essence( 本质上) , is a historical period in which the European humanist thinkers (人道主义思想家) and scholars (学者) made attempt( 努力/尝试) to get rid of ( 摆脱) those old feudalist ideas ( 封建主义) in medieval Europe , to introduce new ideas that expressed the interests of the rising bourgeoisie (新兴的资产阶级) and to recover the purity (纯度) of the earlychurch from the corruption( 腐败,堕落) of the Roman Catholic Church/P7 P8Humanism is the essence ( 本质) of the RenaissanceThomas More , Christopher Marlowe and William Shakespeare and the best representatives of the English humanistWhen Henry VIII declared himself through the approval of the Parliament( 国会) as the supreme (极大的,最高的) Head of the Church of England in 1534 , the Reformation in England was in its full swing ( 高潮)P10The religious reformation was actually as reflection of the class strugglewaged ( 工资 )by the new rising bourgeoisie against the feudal class and its ideology ( 意识形态)The first period of the English Renaissance was one of imitation andassimilation ( 模仿与同化)In the early stage of the Renaissance, poetry and poetic drama were the most outstanding literary forms and they were carried on especially by Shakespeare and Ben JonsonThe Elizabethan drama , in its totally, is the real mainstream( 主流) of the English RenaissanceThe most famous dramatists in the Renaissance England are Christopher Marlowe, William Shakespeare and Ben JonsonP12Edmund Spenserhe was born in London and received good education & left Cambridge in 1576.in 1580, he was made secretary of Lord Grey of wilton. Spenser’s masterpiece(代表作)is the “ Faerie Queene ” is great poem of its age。

To fashion a gentleman or noble person in virtuous and gentle discipline” he speaks of 12 virtues (天使)of the private genltman and plans 12 books ,each one with different heroes.5 main qualities of Spenser’s poetry 1) a perfect melody 2) a rare of beauty 3) a splendid imagination 4) a lofty moral purity and seriousness 5) a dedicated idealism,P19Christopher MarloweBorn in 1564 of Canterbury shoemaker (坎特伯雷鞋匠). Scholarships took himfirst to the kind’s school then to cambridge. And write the play of Tamburlaine. 1593, Marlowe was killed in a quarrel ove a tavern bill in Deptford.Tamburlaine : In fact, Tamburlaine is a product of Marlowe’s characteristically Renaissance imagination ( 想像力) , fascinated by the earthly magnificence (华丽) available to men of imaginative (想像的) power who have the energy of their convictions ( 这样的才能)Marlow’s greatest achievement( 成就) lies in that be perfected the blank verse ( 非对称) and made it the principal medium of English drama.Marlowe’s second achievement is his creation of the Renaissance hero of English DramaTamburlaine , being a cruel conqueror ( 征服者), finds consummate ( 至上的, 完美的) happiness in subduing (征服 ) other kingdoms Though Marlowe is masterful (专横的,专长的) in handing blank verse and creating dramatic effects, he is not so strong in dramatic construction, and compared w/ Shakespeare, his women characters are rather pale (苍白) .P28William ShakespeareShakes peare was born porbabaly on 1564/4/23. into a merchant’s family a stratford-on-Avon.Shakespeare is one of the most remarkable playwrights and poets the world has ever known. With his 38 plays, 154 sonnets and 2 long poems.Generally his dramatic career is divided into 4 periods1) the first period of Shakespeare’s dramatic career was one ofapprenticeship (学徒身份). Article : Henry VI, Parts I …….2) In second period, Shakespeare’s style and approach became highly individualized3)Shakespeare’s the third period includes his greatest tragedies and his so-called dark comedies .Article: Hamlet.4) the last peri od of shakespeare’s work include his principal romantic tragicomedeisOn the other hand , there is also a limit to his sympathy ( 同情心) for downtrodden( 被压迫的) . He fears anarchy(统治者) , hates rebellion and despises democracy （民主政治），thus , he finds no way to solve the socialproblems , In the end, the only thing he can do as a humanist is to escape from the reality to seek comfort in his dream. P35P36Shakespeare also states that literary works which have truly reflected nature & reality can reach immortality （不朽）Shakespeare succeeds in exploring the character s’ inner mind. The soliloquies in this plays fully reveal （显示，揭露） the inner conflict of his characters. Shakespeare also portrays （描绘） his characters in pairs ( 对比手法) . Contrasts are frequently used to bring vividness m to his charactersP37Shakespeare can write skillfully to different poetic forms, like blank verse (非对称诗)and rhymed couplet （押韵对句）. His blank verse is especially beautiful and mighty （强大的，在力的）.P57 Francis BaconHe is well known philosopher ( 哲学家) , scientist and essayist ( 随笔作家) . He lays the foundation for modern science with his insistence (坚持主张) on scientific way of think fresh observation(观察) rather thanauthority （权威） as a basis of obtaining knowledge . His Essays is thefirst examples of that genre (典型，流派) in English literature , whichhas been recognized as an important landmark(地标) in the development ofEnglish prose （散文）some phrase have even been entered the English literary(文学上) traditionBacon’s essay (随笔) are famous for their brevity (简短), compactness (简洁) & powerfulness (强大的,有力的) . yet there is an obvious stylistic change in EssaysFrancis Bacon / P57He was born 1561, was a representative of Renaissance of England, is well known as philosopher.scientist and essayist. He lays the foundatin for modern science with his insistence on scientific way of thinking and fresh observation rather than authority as a basis for obtaining knowledge. His Essays is the first exmaple of that genre is English literature , which has been recognized as an important landmark in the development of english prose. And some phrase have even entered the English literay tradition. The hightest of his career is to be lord keeper under Kind james then to be Lord Chancellor fo England.His work was divided into 3 grouds1) (作品名)2) among which the most famous is Essays3) 作品名Bacon’s essays are famous for their brevity, compactness and powerfulness (简洁有力的) .Yet , there is an obvious stylistic change in the Essays. P63 John DonneWas born in 1572, with a rebellious spirit , metaphsical poets tried to break away from the conventional fashion of the Elizabethan love poetry .The imagery is drown from the actual life. The form is frequently that a argument with the poet’s beloved with God, o r with himselfThe new recognition has arisen (源自于) from realization of the seriousness(严肃,认真) of their art, an interest in their spirit (灵魂) of revolt (反叛). Their realisam and other affinities with modern interests , as well as from the fact that they produced some fine poetry.John Donne is the lead ing figure of the “metaphysical school”(超自然学派). The mode is dynamic rather than static, with ingenuity (灵巧) of speech , vividness (生动)of imagery (形象) and vitality (丰富) of rhythms (节奏) , which show a notable contrast (显蓝的对比) to the other Elizabethan ( 伊丽莎白王朝的人) lyric poems (抒情诗).His early education was attended to by a private tutor; hen the studied both at Oxford and Cambridge, but left without taking a degree because of his Roman Catholic background ( P64)Donne’s interest lies in dramatizing and illust rating ( 插图说明) the states of being in loveIn his poetry ,Donne frequently applies conceits (想像力), i. e. extendedmetaphors involving dramatic. His conceits may be divided into 2 kinds : easy kind and difficult kind.(P65) By combining the easy conceits withdifficult one, Donne achieves surprisingly(完成/达到,惊人的) good effects in his poetry . He seems to be speaking to an imagined , hearer , raising the topic and trying to persuade ( 说服,劝说), convince (使人信服) or upbraid (责备)Donne’s great prose works are his sermons(布道),which are both rich andimaginative , exhibiting the same kind of physical vigor and scholastic complexity as his poetry (P66)John Milton ( P 69)The Neoclassical Period ( P79)Neoclassical period : is the one in English literature between the returnof the Stuarts (斯图亚特王室) to the English throne (君主,王座) in 1660 andthe full assertion( 主张) of Romanticism which come with publication of “ Lyrical Ballads “(抒情诗) by wordsworth and Coleridge in1798. Was turbulent (狂暴的) & full of conflicts and divergence ( 分歧) of values.The eighteenth century saw the fast development of England as a nation. So towards the middle of the eighteenth century, England had become thefirst powerful capitalist country (资本主义国家) in the world . it had become the work-shop of the world , her manufactured goods flooding foreign markets far and near (四面八方)The enlighteners (启蒙) celebrated reason or rationality (合理性) , equality and science. They believed that when reason served as the yardstick (准绳) for the measurement of all human activities and relations. Every superstition ( 迷信) , injustice and oppreeion was to yield ( 屈服) place to “eternal truth” (永久的真理) “eternal justice ” (永久的公正) and “ natural equality” they belief provided theory for the French Revolution ( 法国革命)of 1789 and the American War of Independence (美国独立战争) in 1776. They believed that human being were limited, dualistic (二元的), imperfect (缺陷), and yet capable of rationality and perfection through education Enlightenment Movement (启蒙主义运动)Neoclassicists had some fixed laws and rules for almost every genre(流派) of literature. The three Unities of time, space and action should be strictly observed ,regularity in construction should be adhered ( 拥护,粘附)to, and type characters rather than individuals should be represented Much attention was given to the wit , form and art of poetry. Mock epic ,romance , satire (讽刺) and epigram (警句) were popular forms adopted by poets of the time. This- the most significant phenomenon(有意义的现象) inthe history of the development of English literature in the eighteenth century. / P82John Bunyan / P84Was born into a poor tinker’s family & received little formal education. When he still little boy , he tool up his father’s trade. He was throwninto prison in 1660 for praching (布道) without receiving the permision for the the Established Church. And died in 1688 from a bad fever. Bunyan’s style was modeled after that of the English Bible. With his concete and living language and carefully observe (观测) and vividly( 生动地)presented details , he made it possible for the reader of the least education to share the pleasure of reading his novel and to relive the experience of his characters.Alexander Pope / P90Pope was born into a well to do merchant of Roman Catholic church faithin London, Ill health accompanied almost from cradle to grave ( 出生到死亡)In 1714 pope and his friend formed a club which was to cooperate in scheme( 配置) to satirize (讽剌性描写)all sorts (种类) of false (虚伪的) learning and pedantry(假学者) in literature, philosophy, science and other branchesof knowledgeHe was not entirely blind to the rapid moral, political and culture deterioration. Commercialization money-worship were invading all aspects of national life. / P91Daniel Defoe / P 96was born in London in a butch urs’s family(屠夫), would like him to be clergyman（牧师）but Defo is insterst to be businessman. Although didn’tgo to universty but have a good education.At the age of near 60 , he started his first Novel of < Robison Cruose> Defoe is a good story taller. His language is smooth, easy, colloquial (口语)and mostly vernacular（方言）. There is nothing artificial in his language : it is common English at its best.Jonathan Swift / P105Swift is one of the greatest masters of English prose.He is almost unsurpassed in the writing of simple, direct, precise prose. He difined a good style as “proper words is proper places”. Clear, simple, conrete diction, uncomplicated sentence structure, economy and conciseness of language mark all his writing.-Essays, poems and novels.Henry Fielding /P118His first try his luck at play writing. And during a span of 9 years ( 1729-37) . He turn out 26 plays and became the most successful livingplaywright (剧作家) of the time. He later come to have his own little Theatre.His plays were mostly comedies and farces filled with political and social satire, the butt being mainly the government and some government officials. Particularly Prime Minister Walpole. Per licensing Act went into effect, he close the Theatre.The dominating qualities of the novel are its excellent characters portrayal, timely entrance and exits ,robustness of tone and hilarious, hearty humor. / P120Fielding have been regarded by some as “Father of the English Novel” for his contribution to establishment of the form of modern Novel. Fielding’s language is easy, unlabored and familiar, but extremely vivid and vigorous. His sentences are always distinguished by logic and rhythm, and his structure carefully planned towards an inevitable ending. His works are also noted for lively, dramatic dialogues and other theatrical devices such as suspended , coincidence and unexpectedness / P121Samuel Johnson / P 130It was only after the publication of “Dictionary ” that his financial status took a turn for the better. Johnson was an energetic and versatile writer. Johnson distinguished himself as the author of the first dictionary by an Englishman. / P131 he was very much concerned with the theme of thevanity of human wishes. He insisted that a writer must adhere to universal truth and experience.Johnson’s style is typically Neoclassical , but it is at the opposite extreme from swift’s simplicity or Addison’s neatness . His language is characteristically general, often Latinate and frequently polysyllabic. His sentences are long and well structured. Interwoven with paralled words and phrases.Richard Brinsley Sherman / P 135……..His poets are well organized , his characters , either major or minor, are all sharply drawn, and his manipulation of such devices as disguise, mistaken identity and dramatic irony is masterly witty dialogues and neat and decent language also make a characteristic of his plays.Thomas Gray / P 151Chapter 3Romantic Period / 157The Romantic period is an age of poetry, blake, wordsworth, Coleridge, Byron, Shelley and Keats are the major Romantic poets. They starts a rebellion against the neoclassical literature, which was later regarded as the poetic revolution. Wordsworth and Coleridge wre the major representatives of this movement. / P162Imagination, defined by Coleridge, is the vital faculty that create new wholes out of disparate elementsFor the most influential 18th-century writeen more something to be sent than something to be known. The nature world comes to the forefront of the poetic imaginationThe guide, the guardian of my heart and soul/ of all my moral being “ . nature to him is a source of mental cleanliness and spiritual understanding; it it a teacher ; it is the stepping stone between Man and God / P162 Poetry should be free from all rules. They would turn to be humble people and the common everyday life for subjectsThe Romantic period is also a great age of prose. / P163The two major novelists of the Romantic period are jane Austen and Walter ScottThe major theme of her novels is love and married toward which she holds on the practical idealism- love should be justified by reason and第11 页共11 页disciplined by self-controlWalter Scott is the most popular novelist of his day. After establishing himself as a writer of romantic historical narrative poetry .。