英国文学问答题（保留）.doc

英国文学问答题 ????????????????????????????????????????? English literature ? ?????????????????????????????????? The Renaissance Period ? 1. How to define the period of Old English literature? English literature begins with the Anglo-Saxon settlement in England at about 450 BC and ends at 1066 BC, the year of the Norman Conquest of England. Of Old English literature, a few relics are still preserved. All of them are poems or songs by the Anglo-Saxon scop or gleemen who sang of the heroic deeds of old time. ? 2. What does Old English poetry include? Generally speaking, the Old English poetry includes two groups: the religious group: the religious group and the secular one. The former is mainly on biblical themes. For example, Genesis A,创 世纪I Genesis B, 《创世纪II》 and Exodus 《出埃及记》 are poems based on the Old Testament; while the latter shows the harshness of circumstance and the sadness of the human lot. A typical example is England’s national epic Beowulf. ? 3. What is the plot and theme of England’s national epic Beowulf? Beowulf, nephew of the king of the Geats, hears that Hrothgar, a Danish king, is in great trouble. The kingdom of the king is harassed by a monster called Grendel. He at once sails there, grapples with the monster, and wounds it fatally. Then comes Grendel’s mother, a she-monster, in revenge of her son. Beowulf follows her to her under-water cave and kills her with a giant sword. With these??? honors?? won,?? he?? returns? to? his? homeland???? and?? reigns?? as? its? king? for? 50? years.?? Then?? a fire-breathing dragon comes out of its den and kills many people. Though old now, Beowulf still kills it single-handedly. But he, too, is fatally wounded and later died. Thematically,?? this?? poem?? shows?? how?? the?? primitive?? people?? fight?? against?? the?? forces?? of?? the?? natural world under a wise and mighty leader. ? 4． What is Epic? Epic?? is?? an?? extended?? narrative?? poem?? in?? elevated?? or?? dignified?? language,?? like?? Homer’s?? Iliad??