英美文学重点总结 第一章.doc

Introduction: Old and Medieval English Literature
1. source of the rise and growth of English literature: the cultural influences of the Anglo-Sexons conquest and the Norman conquest.
盎格鲁撒克逊征服与诺曼征服
2. Old English literature: 450—1066
medieval period in English literature: with the Norman Conquest starts,covers about 4 centurries,
3. Beowulf主题分析:
Beowulf,a typical example of Old English poetry,is regarded as the national epic of the Anglo-Saxons. Thematically 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 poem is an example of the mingling of nature myths and heroic legends.
4. In the second half of the 14th century,English literature started to flourish with the appearance of writers like Geoffrey Chaucer (the greatest writer){Canterbury Tales}, William Langland (religious and social issues){Piers Plowman},John Gower (produces the best romance of the period){Sir Gawain and the Green Knight},and others.
5. 骑士文学
Romance which uses narrative verse or prose to sing knightly adventures or other heroic deeds is a popular literary form in the medieval has developed the characteristic medieval motifs(主题) of the quest,the test,the meeting with the evil giant and the encounter with the beautiful beloved.
6. Chaucer bore marks of h