英国文学材料教案

Unit 1 Introduction of Literature · Key Words: Introduction, course, English Literature, history · Target: This unit is to provide a general introduction to this course: the definition, value, quality, importance; and to tell the students how to learn this course. · Study Points: 1. Definition of literature; 2. The value of literature; 3. Basic quality of literature; 4. Importance of literature; 5. Four genres of literature; 6. Two Branches of Literature; 7. Target of this course 8. The Frame of History of British Literature. Definition of Literature: · Literature as Mimesis/imitation (Plato/Aristotle/Alexander Pope); · Literature as Function (Socrates/Horace/Milton) · Literature as Expression of Emotions (Keats/Wordsworth) · Literature as Literature (Poe/Swinburne) Suggested Definition: Literature is a linguistic stylization of experiences lifted from mere bodily response to stimuli, to the plane of imaginative and spiritual (psychological) response. The Value of Literature: (Literature is a reflection of life and a record of human experiences.) · Art and literature reveal to us the things people treasure and admire, the things people praise and advocate as the true, the good and the beautiful, as well as the things they fear and hate most deeply, the things they denounce and do away with as the false, the evil and the ugly. · Art and literature are not only something we find desirable and enjoyable; there are feelings, emotions, and ideas that can not be expressed in any way other than through art and literature. · Art and literature provide an endless variety of inspiration in addition to enjoyment, for it is the means of making people feel truth and beauty through their senses. · Literature broadens our perspectives of the world. (e.g. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland) Importance of Literature: · Literature preserves the ideals of a people—love, faith, duty, friendship, freedom reverence, etc. · All our arts, our sciences, even our inventions are founded squarely upon ideals. Our whole civilization, our freedom, our progress, our homes, our life rest solidly upon ideals for their foundation. · Literature is the study of man. It is the written record of man’s spirit, of his thoughts, emotions, aspirations; it is the history, the only history of the human soul. Four Genres of Literature: Fiction: refers to novels and short stories. Usually long, but not very difficult. The students can read it as extensive readings. But they should pay more attention to the themes, characters and styles Poetry: usually difficult because its language is pithy and its implication is rich. And the word order is not normal. The students should learn it as intensive readings. First, try to know the word order and the sentence structure, get the literal meaning, then go deeper to explore its implication. Essay: short and terse, rich in implication, but its language is easier than that of poetry. The students should read carefully, paying more attention to the important statements. Drama: its remarkable feature in language is colloquialism. The students should pay attention to the plot, theme, character, dramatic effect, dramatic conflict as well as the speech. Two Branches of Literature: SHAPE \* MERGEFORMAT SHAPE \* MERGEFORMAT Targets of the Course: · The History of English Literature: Through the study of The History of English Literature, the students are supposed to obtain some basic and important knowledge and information about English Literature and its history. To be more specific: the five major periods of British literature (Renaissance Period, Neoclassical Period, Romantic Period, Victorian Period and Modern Period) and their individual characteristics, master representatives and the masterpieces. Hence the students can obtain some basic knowledge of literary appreciation and criticism. · Selected Readings in English Literature Through the study of the selected readings from the representative works of some famous writers, the students are supposed to obtain some basic and important knowledge and information about these works and their writers. A. Comprehension is the basic requirement, which. means that the students should have a good understanding of the text, including both the literal meaning of the text and its implications. B. Appreciation is the second level. The students should be able to appreciate the merits of the text. If they can enjoy some beautiful description, or smile at some humorous narration, or get some meaningful enlightenment, then they are appreciating the reading. C. Evaluation: is the highest level, requiring the students to analyze and comment on the text theoretically and systematically. It is quite difficult, but not impossible. In this course, the first and the second levels---- comprehension and appreciation must be achieved. Unit 2 The Anglo-Saxon Age (449—1066) · Key Words: Anglo-Saxon, Epic, Beowulf, Anglo-Saxon Prose · Target: This unit introduces the three important conquests in English history and the great epic: The Song of Beowulf. · Study Points: 1. Three important conquests; 2. The definition of epic; 3. The Song of Beowulf; 4. Appreciation. I. The History of Early Britain 1. A brief history of early Britain The beginning of settlement in Britain took place in about 700 B. C. The early settlers were certain Celtic-speaking tribes called Britons, from whom the island got its name--Britain (the land of Britons). The Britons were a primitive people, a bronze-age people entering upon an age of iron. 2. The Roman Conquest (1st invasion) In 55 B. C. Britain was invaded by the Roman general Julius Caesar. The Britons fought bitterly against the Roman conquerors (for about 100 years) and was not completely subjugated to the Roman Empire until 78 A. D. With the Roman Conquest, the Roman mode of life and civilization came across to Britain also. The Roman Conquest ended in 410 A. D. Influence: Christianity was introduced to Britain. 3. The Anglo-Saxon Invasion (2nd invasion) · In the mid 5th century, Britain was invaded by three Germanic tribes--the Angles, the Saxons, and the Jutes, from the Northeast of Europe, fierce Germanic tribes in late stages of tribal society · established small kingdoms in Britain · by the 7th century combined into a united kingdom called Englaland ( the land of Angles ). · people called the English. · three dialects spoken by them grew into a single language called Anglo-Saxon, or Old English, a derivative of Low German. 4. The Christianization of the Anglo-Saxons · In 597 St. Augustine and his monks landed in Kent. Heathen England was Christianized part by part in the following century. Monasteries were built all over the country. It was in these monasteries that the earliest English books were written down because at that time few except monks could read and write. · The literature falls into two divisions,--pagan and Christian. (Christianity: ① a new life and leader for England; ② the wealth of a new language) 5. The Danish Invasion · From 787, the English began to be troubled by bands of Danish Vikings (Scandinavian pirates/sea robbers). · invaded parts of the country from time to time · came to make permanent settlement and ruthlessly destroyed many of the monasteries. · King Alfred fought to drive off the Danes. The Danes finally occupied England in 1013 and held it for about 30 years. 6. The Norman Conquest (3rd invasion) · The French-speaking Normans, under the leadership of Duke William, (William the Conqueror) came in 1066. After defeating the English at Hastings, William was crowned as the King of England. The Norman Conquest marks the establishment of feudalism in England. This Conquest also greatly influenced English language. Summary: The Formula of the Nation · Original Britons · Angles/ Saxons/ Jutes · Danes · Normans · English II. Early English Literature · Oral tradition · The Britons (Celts) had no written language, so their myths and legends were not recorded for many centuries. · Legends about King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table were not written down until they reached the eleventh century France. · English literature actually began with the Anglo-Saxon settlement in England. 1. Beowulf 1. Introduction · Epic: A long narrative poem on a great and serious subject, told in an elevated style, and centered on a heroic or quasi-heroic divine figure on whose actions depends the fate of a tribe, a nation, or the human race. 2. Three Episodes of Beowulf · the fight with the monster, Grendel · the fight with Grendel's mother · the mortal combat with the Fire Dragon 3. Social Significance of Beowulf A. provides insight into the best qualities of the newer culture they were building in England and mirrors their ideals (reflection of the features of the tribal society of ancient times) B. reflects the typical tone of their literature, with its emphasis on the darker emotions, its grim scenery, its vigorous portrayal of the sea and of battle. C. its chief significance lies in the vivid portrayal of a great national hero 4. Three Features of Beowulf 1) the most striking feature: the use of alliteration, which is characteristic of all Old English verse. Example of Alliteration from Beowulf Of Men was the mildest and most beloved Of his kin the kindest, keenest for praise. 2) the use of metaphors and understatements · many compound words used in the poem to serve as indirect metaphors that are sometimes very picturesque. · understatement is characteristic of the English people and their language 3) the mixture of pagan and Christian elements 2. Anglo-Saxon Prose 1. Bede (the Venerable Bede) · Father of English History · Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglorum (631) · later translated from Latin into Anglo-Saxon by King Alfred as The Ecclesiastical History of the English People in 891 · covers from the Roman Invasion of Britain to AD731, 4 years before the author’s death 2. King Alfred’s contributions to English literature · Translations from Latin, including Bede’s History · his free way of translation helped him to write in a natural style in English, his contribution to the development of English prose · launching the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle (also known as Old English Chronicle), a historical register of national events from dim past to his own age. This work was continued by monks long after his death. 3. Homework · Get the Ss. to read and appreciation the selected parts in History and Anthology of English Literature (P7-17) · Review the value of Beowulf; · Preview The Period of Middle English Unit 3 The Period of Middle English (1066—1485) · Key Words: Medieval Period, Ballads, Geoffrey Chaucer, Canterbury Tales · Target: This unit introduces the literary history between Roman Conquest and the end of the Wars of Roses and the literary contribution: The Canterbury Tales. · Study Points: 1. Historical Background; 2. Romance and Ballads; 3. Geoffrey Chaucer; 4. The Canterbury Tales 5. Appreciation. I. Historical Background 1. Norman Conquest—marks the establishment of feudalism in England Time: 1066 A. D. William the Conqueror (Hasting Battle: Harold) Influence: ① the bringing of Roman civilization to England; ② the growth of nationality i.e. a strong centralized government (The high feudal society [distinction between two classes: landlords and peasants]) ③ Language: By the end of the 14th C, when Normans and English intermingled, English was once more the dominant speech in the country. But it became something different from the old Anglo-Saxon. 2. The Rising of 1381 · English peasants lived a misery life. A disease called Black Death swept over the country (1348—49), and 1/3 of the population perished of the terrible plague. · Hundred years war between England and France (1337—1453); peasant heavily taxed; · Rising of 1381 led by Wat Tyler and John Ball. 3. The Founding of the Tudor Dynasty (都铎王朝) ① Civil War: the Wars of the Roses (1455—1485) between the House of Lancaster and the House of York; ② The King of England assumed great power than before. Henry VII (1485—1509), taking advantage of this situation, founded the Tudor Dynasty. (1485—1603). II. Literature 1. Introduction · The literature which the Normans brought to England is remarkable for its bright, romantic tales of love and adventure, in marked contrast with the strength and somberness of Anglo-Saxon poetry. (English literature is a combination of French and Saxon elements.) · The Subject Matters in this Period: 6. Romance and Ballads ① Chivalry: the spirit of knights Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (hero Arthur) ② Ballads A ballad is a story told in song, usually in 4-line stanzas, with the second and fourth lines rhymed. They are mainly the literature of the peasants and reflex the outlook of the English common people in feudal society. Robin Hood Ballads: royal complex 7. Geoffrey Chaucer (?1340—1400) a) Life · Geoffrey Chaucer, the founder of English poetry, was born, about 1340, in London. (Son of a wine merchant who had connections with the Court.) · He served as page to Elizabeth, Countess of Ulster. · He went to France in 1359 on one of the campaigns of the Hundred Years’ War, and was taken prisoner. On his return, he married Philippa, a maid of honor to the queen and relative of John Gaunt, the Duke of Lancaster. · Several times he was sent to the Continent on diplomatic missions, two of which took him to Italy. (King Edward III) · In 1373 , he received the post of a Comptroller of Customs in the port of London. · He was M.P. for Kent in 1386. · He died on the 25th of October 1400 and was buried in Westminster Abbey, thus founding the “Poets’ Corner.” · Works He was a great humanist and realist. (“incomparable observer of human nature and teller of tales.”) His works include: 1) works translated from French; 2) works adopted from the Italian; 3) purely English works Some people say that Geoffrey Chaucer is a mixture of old and new. He adopted an attitude of opposition against Catholicism and attacked the corruption of the contemporary church government in his poetry. · The House of Fame (《声誉之堂》) · Troilus and Criseyde (《特罗勒斯与克丽西德》)—romance · The Canterbury Tales (1387—1400) （《坎特伯雷故事集》） 1）Significance: ① faithful reflection of the life of common people in English Feudal society. ② from the point of view of rising Bourgeois; ③ humanism (i.e. emphasis of men and opposite to Christianity) 2）Artistic feature: He introduces from French the rhymed stanza of various types, esp. the rhymed couplet of 5 accents in iambic meter (the “hero couplet”) · Foot and Meters · In English poetry, the norm of unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable is called Foot. It has four kinds: ① iamb ② trochee ③ anapaest ④ dactyl III. Homework · Recall what we have learned today; · Read Selected Readings of General Prologue of The Canterbury Tales; · Preview the Elizabethan Age. Unit 4 The Elizabethan Age (1485—1625) · Key Words: Elizabethan Age; Renaissance; Humanism; Thomas More; William Shakespeare; Francis Bacon; Drama; Sonnet; Essay (English Prose) · Target: This unit introduces the literary history of English Tudor Dynasty, which is also called Elizabethan Age. It is an age of Renaissance and the literature is very prosperous. Hence the students are required to know several great figures of this period, like Shakespeare, Bacon, etc, and to appreciate their works. · Study Points: 1. Historical Background; 2. Cultural Background; 3. Thomas More and his Utopia; 4. William Shakespeare and his works; 5. Francis Bacon and his works 6. Appreciation. · Time Span: 3 weeks 1. Historical Background 1. The Tudor Dynasty (都铎王朝) ① After the Wars of the Roses (1455—1485), the feudalism was weakened. Henry VII (1485—1509), taking advantage of this situation, founded the Tudor Dynasty. (1485—1603). ② Break with Roman : During the reign of Henry VIII (1509—1547), he declared the break from the Roman Catholic Church in 1534 and he himself to be the Supreme Head of the Anglican Church. After that, Protestantism had been gaining ground. 2. Queen Elizabeth (1558—1603) ① In 1588, a war with Spain broke out and ended with the rout of the Spanish fleet “Armada” (invincible). It is a victory of England and the triumph of the rising young bourgeoisie over the declining old feudalism. It leads to the colonization abroad and the prosperity of culture. The colonial expansion also helped to accumulate capital for the development of capitalism. ② Towards the end of the reign of and the ascension of James I, the conflicts between the king and the rising bourgeoisie intensified. 3. Printing and the Enclosure Movement The introduction of printing to England by William Caxton (1476) brought classical works within reach of the common multitude. The broke from the Pope led to the creation of the new aristocracy and enclosure of common land to be used for pasturage (wool for export( “ship devoured men”) led to the centralization of power. 2. Cultural Background Renaissance Renaissance: rebirth of learning, the name commonly applied to the period of European history following the Middle Ages; it is usually said to have begun in Italy in the late fourteenth century and to have spread to western European countries, notably France, Germany, England, Spain and the Low Countries (Holland and Belgium) through the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. · Cultural Significance of Renaissance 1. The shift of interest from God and afterlife to man: 2. The emphasis on the culture of ancient Greece and Rome. The Renaissance Humanism · a literary and philosophic system of thought · originating in Italy during the Renaissance, it soon spread to other western European countries. · It assumed the dignity and central position of man in the universe; · emphasized the importance of the study of classical imaginative and philosophical literature, such as that of Plato, Aristotle; · insisted on the primacy of reason. The King James Bible (1611) The James Version of Bible has had tremendous influence on the literary expressions of many great English writers. Its simple, elegant and beautiful phrases have become the part of the basic mental stuffs of generations of English-speaking people. ① Authorized Version: “to make a good one better; or out of many good ones one principal good one. ② Influence on religion and English language and literature; ③ Style: pure old English, simple and dignified language. 3. The Renaissance English Literature 1. Important Literary figures ① More: Utopia a. Sir Thomas More (1478—1535) was born in a middle class family. His father was a prominent lawyer, and later a judge. b. He became a lawyer, elected to parliament, acted as the spokesman of London merchants. c. In 1529, he became Lord Chancellor of England under Henry VIII. d. He was a Roman Catholic and in disagreement with the king who was corrupted and selfish. e. In 1532, he had to resign because of his opposition to Henry’s divorce from Queen Catherine (the widow wife of his brother.) f. In 1535, More was beheaded on a false charge of treason. A learned scholar, a master of Latin, a witty talker, a lover of music, an honest statesman, and a man of notable character, modest but steadfast to his convictions, far-sighted thinker. · Utopia is written in the form of conversation between More and Hythloday, a returned voyager. It is divided into two books. Book I: a long discussion on the social conditions of England; Book II: described in detail an ideal communist society, Utopia 9means “no place”.) a. expose the real social condition; b. point out the roots of poverty (private ownership; c. propose some principal which became goals the later generations pursue; ◇ More’s Limitation: a. no revolutionary because of his upper background; b. proposed a syste