英国文学史资料I. Old English Literature & The Late Medieval Ages贝奥武夫:the national epic of the Anglo-SaxonsEpic: long narrative poems that record the adventures or heroic deeds of a hero enacted in vast landscapes. The style of epic is grand and elevated. e.g. Homers Iliad and OdysseyArtistic features: 1. Using alliteration Definition of alliteration: a rhetorical device, meaning some words in a sentence begin with the same consonant sound（头韵） Some examples on P5 2. Using metaphor and understatement Definition of understatement: expressing something in a controlled way Understatement is a typical way for Englishmen to express their ideasGeoffery Chaucer 杰弗里乔叟 1340(?)1400(首创“双韵体” ，英国文学史上首先用伦敦方言写作。约翰德莱顿（John Dryden）称其为“ 英国诗歌之父”。代表作坎特伯雷故事集。)The father of English poetry.writing style: wisdom, humor, humanity. 坎特伯雷故事集：first time to use heroic couplet(双韵体) by middle English特罗伊拉斯和克莱希德 声誉之宫Medieval Ages popular Literary form: Romance(传奇故事 )Famous three： King ArthurSir Gawain and the Green KnightBeowulfII The Renaissance PeriodA period of drama and poetry. The Elizabethan drama is the real mainstream of the English Renaissance.Renaissance: the activity, spirit, or time of the great revival of art, literature, and learning in Europe beginning in the 14th century and extending to the 17th century, marking the transition from the medieval to the modern world.Three historical events of the Renaissance rebirth or revival:1. new discoveries in geography and astrology2. the religious reformation and economic expansion3. rediscovery of ancient Roman and Greek cultureThe most famous dramatists: Christopher MarloweWilliam ShakespeareBen Johnson.1. Edmund Spenser 埃德蒙 斯宾塞 15521599（后人称之为“ 诗人的诗人 ”。 ） The poets poet. The first to be buried in the Poets corner of Westerminster Abbey 仙后(for Queen Elizabeth)The theme is not “Arms and the man”, but something more romantic “Fierce wars and faithfull loves”.Artistic features:1. Using Spenserian StanzaDefinition of Spenserian Stanza:a stanza of nine lines ababbcbcc. Eight lines in iambic pentameter, and last line in iambic hexameter. 牧人日历The theme is to lament over the loss of Rosalind. 爱情小唱2. Thomas More 托马斯莫尔 14781535One of the greatest English humanists乌托邦3. Francis Bacon 弗兰西斯培根 15611626（哲学家、散文家；在论述探究知识的著作中提出了知识就是力量这一著名论断；近代唯物主义哲学的奠基人和近代实验科学的先驱。 ）Philosopher, scientist, lay the foundation for modern science. The first English essayist.Writing style:brevity, compactness&powerfulness, well-arranging and enriching by Biblical allusions, metaphors and philosophy to mans reason.学术的推进 随笔(famous quotas: )The theme of Of Studies: uses and benefits of study and different ways adopted by different people to pursue studies.4. Ben Jonson狐狸5. Christopher Marlowe 柯里斯托弗 马洛 15641595“University Wits”, the pioneer of English drama（完善了无韵体诗。 ）Blank verse: written in unrhymed iambic pentameter.浮士德博士的悲剧 （根据德国民间故事书写成） 帖木耳大帝 马耳他的犹太人6. William Shakespeare 威廉莎士比亚 15641616 Historical plays: Henry VI ; Henry IV : Richard III ; Henry V ；Richard II； Henry VIIIFour Comedies: 皆大欢喜; 第十二夜; 仲夏夜之梦; 威尼斯商人Four Tragedies: 哈姆莱特; 奥赛罗; 李尔王; 麦克白Shakespeare Sonnet :154 Three quatrain and one couplet, ababcdcdefefggA sonnet is a lyric consisting of 14 lines, usually in iambic pentameter restricted to a definition rhyme scheme.III The 17th Century1. John Milton 约翰弥尔顿 16081674（诗人、政论家;失明后写 失乐园 、 复乐园 、 力士参孙 。 ）Epics: 失乐园 复乐园Dramatic poem: 力士参孙 论出版自由为英国人民声辩 我的失明This sonnet is written in iambic pentameter rhymed in abba abba cde cde, typical of Italian sonnet.Its theme is that people use their talent for God, and they serve him best sho can endure the suffering best.2. John Bunyan 约翰 班扬 16281688（代表作天路历程 ，宗教寓言，被誉为“具有永恒意义的百科全书” ，是英国文学史上里程碑式著作。与但丁的神曲 、奥古斯丁的忏悔录并列为世界三大宗教题材文学杰作。 ）Puritan poet(清教徒派诗人)Religionary Allegory:天路历程3. John Donne the Metaphysical poet(玄学派诗人).Metaphysical Poetry(玄学诗)：（用语）the diction is simple, the imagery is from the actual, (形式)the form is frequently an argument with the poets beloved, with god, or with himself.（主题：love, religious, thought）Artistic features:1. conceits or imagery 奇思妙喻2. syllogism 三段论 Meditations 沉思录The Flea 虱子 Songs And SonnetsHoly SonnetsValediction: IV The 18th CenturyA revival of interest in the old classical works, order, logic, restrained emotion(抑制情感) and accuracyThe Age of Enlightenment/Reason: the movement was a furtherance of the Renaissance of the 15th and 16th centries, a progressive intellectual movement, reason(rationality), equality&science(the 18th century)小说崛起 ：In the mid-century, the newly literary form, modern English novel rised(realistic novel 现实主义小说)Gothic novel(哥特式小说)：mystery, horror, castles(from middle part to the end of century)1. Alexander Pope 亚历山大 蒲柏 16881744（18 世纪英国最伟大的诗人，其诗多用“英雄双韵体”/ “ heroic couplets”。词句工整、精练、富有哲理性。 ）One of the first to introduce rationalism to England.批评论Artistic features:1.Using “heroic couplets” 卷发遇劫记 道德论人论愚人记2. Samuel Johnson