欧洲中世纪文学【英文精品】共41页
第二章：中世纪英语文学
If the epic reflects a heroic age, the romance reflects a chivalric one. Most of the English romances deal with three major themes: a) “the Matter of Britain” — about the Arthurian legend b) “the Matter of France” — about stories concerning Charlemagne and his knights c) “the Matter of Rome” —about tales of antiquity, from the Trojan war to the feats of Alexander the Great
By the end of 14th century, when Normans and English intermingled, English was once more the dominant speech in the country. But by then the English language had already been totally different from Old English, for in the three centuries after 1066 the language had undergone gradual but radical and extensive changes, as not only were borrowed in the course of time thousands of words from French and through French from Latin and also Greek, but many old inflectional forms of native English words had been dropped and formal grammar of the past had become considerably simplified. e.g. Words from Latin: angel/ monk/ pope/ candle English: calf swine (old use or lit, pig) sheep build ask wet French: veal pork mutton construct inquire humid The English language in this transitional stage from Old English to modern English, through some four centuries (from 12th to 15th) of development and change, has generally been known as Middle English.
中世纪英国文学,beowulf
English Literature
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
British Isles
Albion, Celtic 43 AD (Claudius) 410,The Fall of the Roman Empire 449,Angles, Saxons ,Jutes( Teutons)
The structure
The poem can be divided into four parts: 1) The fight against Grendel 2) The fight against Grendel's mother 3) The fight against the Dragon 4) Death and funeral
What is epic? Do you know about the story of The Iliad and The Odyssey?
Further reading :
《伊利亚特》和《奥德修斯》 “金苹果的故事” “阿喀琉斯的脚踝” Achilles 【əˈkɪliːz】
海藻： 如果把我比作你身体 的一个 部分，你认 为是什么？ 宋思明： 你是我的脚踝！
Grendel
Beowulf fights against Grendel
Beowulf fights against Grendel’s Mother
Dragon
Beowulf fights against the Dragon
Major Themes (1) Goodness conquers evil. (Beowulf stands for all that is good, brave and proper, while the monsters stand for evil.) (2) Men against nature (The poem presents 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.)
欧洲中世纪英语
欧洲中世纪英语The European Middle Ages: A Time of Language TransformationDuring the Middle Ages, the European continent experienced a period of significant linguistic and cultural evolution. The English language, in particular, underwent a remarkable transformation, reflecting the complex political, social, and religious changes that swept through the region.The origins of the English language can be traced back to the Germanic tribes that settled in Britain following the withdrawal of the Roman Empire in the 5th century. These tribes, including the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes, brought with them their own dialects, which eventually coalesced into what is now known as Old English. This early form of the language was heavily influenced by the languages of the invading groups, as well as the remnants of the Britons, who had inhabited the islands before the arrival of the Germanic settlers.The introduction of Christianity to the British Isles in the 6th century played a crucial role in the development of the English language. The arrival of Christian missionaries, such as Saint Augustine, brought with them a new set of vocabulary and concepts, which weregradually incorporated into the existing linguistic framework. This influx of religious terminology, coupled with the increasing use of Latin in ecclesiastical and scholarly circles, helped to shape the evolution of Old English.As the centuries passed, the English language continued to evolve, reflecting the dynamic political and social landscape of the European Middle Ages. The Norman Conquest of 1066, led by William the Conqueror, had a profound impact on the language. The influx of French vocabulary and grammatical structures into the English language, as a result of the Norman influence, led to the development of Middle English.Middle English, which was spoken from the 11th to the 15th century, was a complex and diverse linguistic form, with regional dialects and variations. This period saw the emergence of some of the most renowned literary works in the English language, such as Geoffrey Chaucer's "The Canterbury Tales," which showcased the richness and versatility of the language.During the Middle Ages, the English language also played a crucial role in the dissemination of knowledge and the preservation of cultural heritage. The translation of religious texts, such as the Bible, into the vernacular languages, including English, helped to make these important works accessible to a wider audience. Additionally,the development of educational institutions, such as universities, contributed to the standardization and codification of the language, as scholars and scribes worked to establish a more uniform system of grammar and orthography.Moreover, the Middle Ages witnessed the emergence of a vibrant literary tradition in the English language. Writers and poets, such as William Langland and the anonymous author of "Beowulf," explored a wide range of themes, from religious devotion to heroic tales, using the evolving language as a powerful tool of expression.The linguistic diversity and dynamism of the European Middle Ages were not limited to the English language alone. Other languages, such as French, German, and Italian, also underwent significant transformations during this period, reflecting the broader cultural and political changes that swept through the continent.In conclusion, the European Middle Ages were a formative era in the evolution of the English language. The complex interplay of political, social, and religious forces, combined with the influx of foreign linguistic influences, contributed to the remarkable transformation of the language, laying the foundation for its eventual rise as a global lingua franca. The rich literary and cultural heritage of this period continues to shape our understanding of the English language and its enduring significance in the context of European history.。
英国文学之中世纪英国文学 Old_and_Medieval_English_Literature
Early invasion: (in 55 B.
The term Viking is customarily used to refer to the Norse (Scandinavian) explorers, warriors, merchants, and pirates who raided,
At first they just invaded parts of the country from time to time. Gradually they came to make permanent settlement and ruthlessly destroyed many of the monasteries.
Old and Medieval English
Literature (Literature)
Outline of British Literature The earl had had terror: comfort he got for it, Time of Beowulf Wound-sea= ? Waxed ’neath the welkin, world-honor gained, The 3 Estates in England during the Age What was the major genre of literature? At first they just invaded parts of the country from time to time. Oft Scyld Scefing The earliest poems or songs were narrated orally by minstrels , or scops or gleemen. Egsode eorlas… French -- court, castle whale’s way= ? The folk-kings’ former fame we have heard of, Process of invasion: Benevolence(仁慈； It was only given a written form long after its composition. Roman Invasion English -- commoners Language: the three dialects
01、古英语文学和中世纪文学
一、古英语文学和中世纪文学（中古英语）Chapter One The Old English Literature and the Medieval English Literature (about the 5th century - 1485)●古英语文学：（450-1066）The Old English Literature (also called The Anglo-Saxon Period)Ⅰ. Social BackgroundThe year 450 marked the coming of the Anglo-Saxons to England to settle in Wessex, while the year 1066 witnessed William Duke of Normandy conquering England.Ⅱ. Literary Characteristics and Major Writers and WorksBeowulf 贝尔武夫--------英雄史诗The earliest English poem we have known is Beowulf, composed in Anglo-Saxon about 700 by an unknown minstrel who composed poems that praised Anglo-Saxon ideals. This great epic tells of the adventures of Beowulf and his victories over the monster Grendel and Grendel’s mother. It ends with Beowulf’s final battle with a dragon and the hero’s death.记住“a saint, a cowman and a King 一个圣人，一个牧牛人，一个国王”Bede 比德(676-735) ---the first Anglo-Saxon who wrote the history in LatinHe is one early poet. His works survive in manuscripts across Europe and in Russia.Ecclesiastical History of the English People 英吉利教会史Caedmon 凯德蒙---the father of English songsAccording to Bede, the earliest known poet in English literature was Caedmon, a cowherd at Whitby Abbey in Northumbia. （在睡梦中创作出《创世纪》的赞歌）Caedmon’s Hymn 凯德蒙赞歌（一首9行头韵体赞美诗，一般认为这首对上帝的赞美诗就是最初他在梦里所做的）King Alfred the Great 阿尔弗雷德大帝(849-899)Alfred the Great was King of Wessex from 871 to 899. Alfred is noted for his defence of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of southern England, becoming the only English king to be accorded the epithet "the Great". He was the first who commissioned the writing of The Anglo-Saxon Chronicles in old English vernacular.The Anglo-Saxon Chronicles 盎格鲁撒克逊编年史翻译比德的作品●中世纪文学：（1066-1485）The Medieval English LiteratureⅠ. Social BackgroundMiddle English literature refers to the literature in the period from Norman Conquest to the end of the Wars of the Roses and the accession of Henry Ⅶ. The evolution of something new is most apparent in some of the developments in religious writing in Middle English literature. The literature was various and deeply influenced by French.Ⅱ. Literary Characteristics and Major Writers and WorksTwo main literature forms:Medieval Romance (浪漫传奇：原本指中世纪早期地中海沿岸西部地区的一种用诺曼语讲述的故事。
英文版 中世纪文学
II. Literature in Anglo-Norman period
1. Romance：P8 the most prevailing kind of literature in feudal England. It was a long composition, sometimes in verse, sometimes in prose, describing the life and adventures of idealized characters, especially a knight. 2. Three Romance cycles Britain, France, Rome
III. Beowulf
3. Writing features 1) Alliterative verse: Alliteration头韵: long live Chairman Mao 2) Kenning/metaphor比喻名称、隐喻语:浓 缩的比喻，通常由两个名词组成的复合名词 E.g. Whale-path: Ocean; sky’s candle: sun; battle-flasher: sword 3) Understatements低调陈述: The face wasn’t a bad one.
III. Beowulf
2. Story 1) fighting against Grendel and his mother 2) fighting against the fire dragon
Western dragon vs. Chinese dragon Beowulf vs. Pilgrimage to the West A big sword vs. 金箍棒
English literature II-盎格鲁和中世纪英国文学
Medieval English Literature
Medieval English Literature
This period covers about five centuries. After the Norman Conquest in 1066, a feudal system was established in England.
(2) Cynewulf (early 9th Century)
Cynewulf lived in the early 9th century. Except the unknown composer of Beowulf, he is regarded as the greatest Anglo-Saxon poet. Of his life we know very little. He was probably an ecclesiastic 牧师 and a scholar. His name remained unknown until 1840. Cynewulf took his subject matter partly from the church. Throughout the poem, a deep love for Christ and reverence for Virgin Mary are expressed. He produced four poems: Christ, Juliana, The Fates of the Apostles, and Elene.
9.古罗马 -罗马共和国 庞培大帝 恺撒大帝 -罗马帝国 奥古斯都大帝（屋大维） 君士坦丁大帝 狄奥多西大帝 -拜占庭帝国（即东罗马帝国） 查士丁尼大帝 10.神圣罗马帝国（包括查理曼帝 国） 查理大帝，或译查理曼 奥托大帝 11.法国 -波旁王朝 亨利大帝，即法兰西王国国王亨 利四世 路易大帝，即法兰西王国国王路 易十四 拿破仑大帝，即法兰西第一帝国 皇帝拿破仑一世 12.普鲁士王国霍亨索伦王朝 腓特烈大帝，即普鲁士王国国王 弗里德里希二世
英国文学
Realism 现实主义时期 （Victorian Age 维多利亚时期 1837-1901）
George Elliot (乔治-爱略特，1819—1880 ) was an English novelist. She was one of the leading writers of the Victorian era. Her novels, largely set in provincial England. Her major novels include:The Mill on the Floss《佛洛斯河上的磨坊》 Middlemarch《米德尔玛契》.
great historical plays: Richard III 《理查三世》 ,Henry IV 《亨利四世》, Henry V 《亨利五世》, Henry VII 《亨利八世》
John Milton (弥尔顿, 1608-1674) was an English poet and civil servant for the Commonwealth of England. He is best known for his epic poem Paradise Lost《失乐园》, Paradise Regained《复乐园》 Samson 《力士参孙》.
浪漫主义时期小说家
Jane Austen (1775—1817) , was an English novelist. Her major novels include Sense and Sensibility (《理智与情感》), Pride and Prejudice (《傲慢与偏见》), Emma (《爱玛》).