英国文学期末考试必备讲义

1、.Chapter one1. The origin of the English people, their language and literature1) The settlement of the Anglo-Saxons on the island: the mid 5th century2) Seven kingdoms united into one called England: 7th century. The three tribes(Angles, Saxons and Jutes) mixed into a whole people called English.3)

2、Their language: Anglo-Saxon, which is also called old English.4) English literature began with the Anglo-Saxon settlement in England: a few relics are still preservedpoems and songs about the heroic deeds of old time.Beowulf: a folk legend brought to England from their continental homes (Denmark), r

3、eflecting the features of the tribal society of ancient times 2. Norman Conquest and its impact on the English language1066: the end of Anglo-Saxon period and the establishment of feudalism in England.The general relation of Normans and Saxons was that of master and servant.Two languages were spoken

4、: French and English. By the end of the 14th century English was again the dominant speechdifferent from the old Anglo-Saxon:Structure: English Common words: English More than 10 thousand French words were introduced English synonyms.3. Literature of feudal England1). The romance: describing the lif

5、e and adventure of noble heroes -the English versions were translated from French or Latin.2). English ballads:a). In various English and Scottish dialectsb). Composed collectivelyc). A variety of themesd). Mainly the literature of the peasants: the outlook of the English common people in the feudal

6、 societye). The Robin Hood ballads 4. Geoffrey Chaucer (1340? -1400): read the introduction in your bookFather of English poetry, one of most greatest poets of England.Romance of rose（玫瑰奇缘）/ the house of fame（声誉之宫） / the parliament of fowls(百鸟议会)The Canterbury tales 5. Chaucers contribution to Engli

7、sh literature1). His poetry traces out a path to the literature of English Renaissance, it reflects the changes of the second half of the 14th century2). As a forerunner of humanism, he praised mans energy, intellect, quick wit and love of life3). Wide learning: a good knowledge of Latin, French and

8、 Italian. Studied philosophical works of his time; an abundant knowledge of the world. No man could have been better equipped, socially and intellectually to be the founder of English poetry4). His language -Middle English -vivid and exact-good master of English -making the dialect of London the fou

9、ndation of modern English speech-establishing English as the literary language of the country.6. popular balladsBallads are anonymous narrative songs that have been preserved by oral transmission.Ballads are divided into several kinds:i. Historicalii. Legendaryiii. Fantasticaliv. Lyrical v. Humorous

10、Character: Chapter TwoRenaissance: 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.1. Historical background of the English Renai

11、ssance1) The founding of the Tudor Dynasty which met the needs of the rising bourgeoisie.2) A kind of religious movement called Reformation was started: Protestantism The Latin Bible was translated into English: a great influence on the English language and literature.3) English economy developed at

12、 a slow but steady pace. As a result of the Enclosure Movement, a large number of peasants became the forefathers of the modern English proletariat.4) Commercial expansion abroad and the establishment of colonies2. Chief characteristics of the Renaissance1) The interest in God and in the life after

13、death was transformed into the exaltation of man and an absorption in earthly life.2) Materialistic philosophy and scientific thought replaced the church dogmas.3) A total new culture rose out of the revival of the old culture of ancient Greece and Rome; a new kind of art and literature emerged thro

14、ugh the exploration of the infinite capabilities of man.Or: 1) A thirsting curiosity for classical literature2) A keen interest in life and human activities3. English literature of the Elizabethan Period (second half of the 16th century)1) Many classical and Italian and French works were translated

15、into English Don Quixote2) Books on history and about new discoveries were written.3) The sonnet, an exact form of poetry, was introduced to England from Italy.4. Edmund Spenser (1552-1599)born in London of a merchant tailors family;had a progressive scholar as his headmaster, who hold that It is no

16、t a mind, not a body, that we have to educate, but a man;entered Cambridge in 1569, graduated in 1573 with M.A. degree;started The Faerie Queen by 1580, dedicated it to the Queen in 1589;became private secretary of Lord Grey, the Queens Lord Deputy in Ireland stayed there for his remaining 19 years,

17、 carried out the tyrannical rule of the British government therewrote The Shepherds Calendar in 1597;an Irish uprising broke out in 1599, his house was burnt down, he returned to London, died for want of bread;his language: modern English different from Chaucers Middle English.8. Francis Bacons life

18、 (1561-1626)born in London in 1561, father: Lord Keeper of the Seal; mother: well-educatedsent to Cambridge University at the age of 12;English ambassador in France after graduation;entered Grays Inn to study law;member of parliament more on the side of the bourgeoisie offended Queen ElizabethJames

19、I made him a Knight, gave one important office after another until he became Lord Chancellor;charged with bribery in 1621;The remaining years of his life were spent in literary, philosophical and scientific work. died of cold in 1626;9. Francis Bacons works: three classes1) Philosophical works:The A

20、dvancement of Learning 1605, in EnglishNovum Organum 1620, in Latin2) Literary works 58 essays the first English essayist dealing with a wide variety of subjects, such as love, truth, friendship, parents and children, studies, youth and age, garden, death and many others won popularity for their cle

21、arness, brevity and force of expression3) Professional works: Maxims of the Law and Reading on the Statute of UsesMarx called him the real father of English materialism and experimental sciences of modern times in general.12. William Shakespeare (1564-1616)family: born in Stratford-on-Avon in centra

22、l England;father: a prosperous tradesman with 8 children;mother: daughter of a well-to-do farmer;education: the local grammar school 6 years, also learned Latin and a little Greekworked as a country schoolmaster at 14;married a farmers daughter (8 years his senior);life as an actor and playwright;we

23、ll acquainted with theatrical performances when still at Stratford;went to London in 1586-87, and worked at odd jobs in a theatre, became an actor but was not successful;began to write for the stage revising old plays and wrote new ones a successful writer of both tragedies and comedies;His complete

24、 works include 37 plays, 2 narrative poems and 154 sonnetsdied on the 23rd of April, 1616.13. Shakespeares career as a dramatist: 3 periods1st period (1590-1600): 9 historical plays, 10 comedies, 1 tragedy imbued with an optimistic atmosphere of humanism, describing the youth, love, and ideals of ha

25、ppiness of young peopleHenry , Richard , , Henry Romeo and Juliet, The Merchant of Venice, A Mid-Summer Nights Dream, As You Like It2nd period (1601-1608): reflecting the social contradictions of the age a transition from green youth to maturity;Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, Mecbeth3rd period (1609-16

26、12): a general tone of conciliation and a falling off from his previous height, but optimistic faith in the future of humanityThe Tempest, The Winters Tale, Henry Shakespeares comedies reflected an optimistic spirit of the humanists at that time. They praised sincere friendship and true love, advoca

27、ted equality between man and man, and repudiated the feudal moral and feudal system.His tragedies have shown us insurmountable contradictions between human ideal and social reality, and raised a series of questions about the state, moral, wealth, family and philosophy. 十四行诗(the sonnet)是一种形式完整、格律严谨、以

28、歌咏爱情为主的小诗，十三、四世纪盛行于意大利，其最主要的代表者为Petrarch（比德拉克）（1304-1374），十六世纪中叶由Thomas Wyatt传入英国，至莎士比亚一代而臻完美。莎士比亚的十四行诗每行通常有5个“音步”(foot)，每个音步一半有一轻一重两个音节。全诗韵脚的安排是abab, cdcd, efef, gg, 即这十四行可分为四组。每首诗一般只有一个比较简单的主题。Chapter Three1. Historical background of the English Bourgeois RevolutionThe contradictions between the f

29、eudal system and the bourgeoisie reached its peak in the 17th century. The Government of James I was a despotism based upon the theory of the divine right of kingscalled for more moneyrefusal of the Parliament to pass bills for new taxesdissolution of parliamenta country without parliament for 11 ye

30、ars.2. The English bourgeois Revolution Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658)Organization of the Parliamentary forces into an armyexecution of the king in 1649England became a commonwealth: the establishment of bourgeois dictatorshipCromwell: Lord Protector A compromise with the feudal remnants: the Restorati

31、onGlorious RevolutionResult: the state structure was settled within which capitalism could develop freely.3. John Miltons life and his revolutionary activities4. Miltons three great poems Paradise Lost (1667), Paradise Regained (1671), Samson Agonistes (1671).5. Features of English literature of the

32、 Restoration period1) Classicism was prevailing (modeled on the literature of France);2) Upheld reason, law and order instead of the free expression of mans individuality as in the Renaissance;3) Writers wrote under the influence of classicism: drama, poetry and prose should all be governed by some

33、fixed rules.Chapter Four1. The influence of the political parties on literature in the 18th centuryTwo parties: liberal Whigs, conservative Tories-The literature of the age was at times dominated by the interest of these parties. Power shifting from one party to another.-Pamphlets played an importan

34、t role in the elections. A writer with a talent for argument or satire was almost certain to be hired by party leaders-Addison, Steele, Defoe, and Swift: willing servants of the two parties.2. Rapid development of social lifeA change of social life: from individual to social coffeehouses and private

35、 clubs, nearly all writers frequented the coffeehouses and matters discussed there became subjects of literature.3. The Enlightenment : nature and purposeNature: an expression of struggle of the then progressive class of bourgeoisie against feudalism.Purpose: fighting against class inequality, stagn

36、ation, prejudice and other survivals of feudalism placing all branches of science at the service of mankind accepting bourgeois relationships as rightful and reasonable relationships among people.4. Three main divisions of the 18th century writings 1) Classicism: essayists-Joseph Addison, Richard St

37、eele, poets- Alexander Pope lexicographer: Samuel Johnson2) Pre- romanticism: William Blake, Robert Burns3) Beginning of the modern novel: Daniel Defoe, Henry Fielding, Jonathan Swift5. Sentimentalism: It came into being as a result of a bitter discontent on the part of certain enlighteners in socia

38、l reality. They appealed to sentiment as a means of achieving happiness and social justice.: Oliver Goldsmith, Laurence Sterne, Samuel Richardson Expressed in poetry, drama, prose fictionConnected with the social changes: the bourgeoisie gaining political power; transition from handicrafts labor to

39、machine industry; rural bankruptcy; sharp social contradictions.Skepticism and disbelief in the myth about the bourgeois society as the best of all possible worlds.Sentiment as a kind of protest against the social injustices.6. Defoes political lifeSupported the Glorious Revolution and took great in

40、terest in the establishment of the new governmentDefended the new political order, writing a pamphlet: The True-born EnglishmanThe Shortest Way with the Dissenters: he was tried, fined, and imprisoned.Worked for a head of a Tory ministry, then went to the Whigs- his popularity was destroyed7. Defoes

41、 literary life and his work As a journalist-writing for newspapers: a good training for his future writing; collecting knowledge and factsThe publication of Robinson Crusoe 1719, at the age of 58Comments: 1) glorify human labor2) as typical of the English bourgeoisie, Robinson was always mindful of

42、his own profit 3) not condemn Negro-slavery, beautify colonialism8.1 Jonathan Swift (1667-1745)Comments:1) hated all kinds of oppression-political, economical, and religious, but cherished a great love for the people2) one of the greatest masters of English prose language: simple, clear and vigorous

43、 He seemed to have no difficulty in finding words to express exactly what he wished to convey 8.2 Gullivers Travels1st part: a description of Liliput, full of references to current politics, in which he satirizes the Tories and Whigs in England2nd part: a description of Brobdingnag, in which the kin

44、g thinks Europe is an anthill, and the European history is only a heap of rebellious, murders, etc.3rd part: the flying island of Luputa: a satire upon philosophers, men of science, historians, etc.4th part: a visit to a country where peoples thoughts and behaviors are wholly governed by reason.9. W

45、illiam Blake 1757-1827As a forerunner of romanticism: Songs of Innocence, Songs of Experience, The Little Black Boy, The Chimney Sweeper, London, The French Revolution, Comments: His poetry operates on two levels, one of them symbolic, the other literal. Both of them address a single purpose- the re

46、newal of the human spirit.Chapter Five1. The radical change in the social structure and the workers struggles in the late 18th century workers(hired laborers: peasants deprived of their land) Bourgeoisie ruling class The conflict results in the workers spontaneous struggles Workers struggles: distur

47、bances in York, Nottingham and Lester; Revolutionary risings among the Navy in 1797 National rising in Ireland in 1798-slogan: liberty, equality and fraternity The movement of the Luddites(18101811) 2. The political writings of the late 18th centuryreflected the acute struggles between the English r

48、uling classes and the English peopleEdmund Burke(17291797): “Reflections on the French Revolution”Thomas Paine(17371809): “The Rights of Man”William Cobbett(17631835): “Political Register” He spoke of the dispossessed peasants and denounced those who robbed the poor (being a peasant himself, he knew

49、 rural England and the miseries of the tillers of the soil)Marxs comments on Cobbett3. General introduction of the Romantic MovementThe movement came ealier in Germany in the late 18th century (Goethe),-then in Englandlast in France(in the early 19th century)In Englandthe great Scottish peasant poet

50、 Robert Burns and the poor engraver poet William BlakeThe Romantic Movement expressed a negative attitude toward the existing social and political conditions that came with the industrial revolution and the growing importance of the bourgeoisie.4. Two schools of Romanticism in England Passive Romant

51、icistsreflecting the thinking of the classes ruined by the bourgeoisie; turning to the past ,i.e.”the merry old England “as their ideal -representatives: Wordsworth, Coleridge, Southey Active Romanticistsexpressing the aspirations of the classes created by capitalism ,holding out an deal of a future

52、 society free from oppression and exploitation -representatives: Byron, Sheley, Keats5. William Wordsworths lifeborn in Cockermouth, West Cmmberland,1770,became orphanbrought up by his relatives educated in the beautiful lake district in Northwest Englanddeveloped a strong love of nature Cambridge U

53、niversity.visited France twiceinfluenced by the Revolution and its slogans change of his attitude after the establishment of Jacobin dictatorshipa conservativelife as a poetin the district of the great lakes, made friends with Southey and ColeridgeLake Poets“The Lyrical Ballads”published in 1798 Poe

54、t Laureatedied in 1850,at the age of 806. Wordsworths literary career (contribution)Views: Poetry was a freea living- form of artistic expressionAll good poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feeling.-pioneer of English Romanticism “The Lyrical Ballads”the break with the 18th century classi

55、cism and beginning of romanticism contentsdevoted to the position of landless and homeless peasants, sympathizing with the poor. Criticizing capitalism, idealizing backward, patriarchal forms of society languagesimple and pure, fighting against the conventional forms of the 18th century principal po

56、ems“We Are Seven”, “Lucy Gray”, “The Daffodils”, “The Solitary Reaper”, “Composed upon Westminster Bridge”, etc.7. Samuel Taylor Coleridges life 1) born in 1772,in the family of a country clergyman at the age of 3began reading; at the age of 6read the Bible ,Robinson Crusoe, the Arabian Nights2) educated at a charity school in London ,studied at the Cambridge University(179193)3) attracted by the French Revolution and its slogans; planning to set up a Utopian society in America; change of attitude upon the advent of Jacobinism4) The publication o