Beowulf贝奥武甫简介.ppt

Beowulf Focus: Brief introduction of Beowulf The plot of story Theme Features of Beowulf Status and influence Beowulf : both the name of the book and one of the protagonists Author : unknown Date : 8 th century (oral form) 10 th century (manuscript) Genre : narrative heroic epic (3182 lines) Language: Old English (Wessex and some Anglian) Features: kenning、alliteration、assonance epic 1、heroic epic A long narrative poem telling about the deeds of a great hero and reflecting the values of the society from which it originated. 2、epic of creation Feature :1）drawn from oral tradition 2）transmitted by song and recitation before they were written down First part : Beowulf’s fighting with Grandel and his mother . (start) Second part : Beowulf’s glorious life in Sweden, but he dies fighting a dragon.(end) Theme Hero :reflect the values of Clans’ society Religion ：Pagan and Christianity Features 1、kenning A word from Scandinavia Definition (textbook P6,L2) It is used in Old Norse poetry and Old English Eg. sea --- swan’s way / whale-path soldier --- shield-holder / battle-hero Effect 2、alliteration Definition (textbook P6 ) Eg. change 、chance and challenge “O ,wild west wind ,thou breath of a autumn’s being.” --- Shelley, Ode to the West Wind Jane Austin Effect 3、assonance Definition Eg. on a proud round cloud in white high night the silken sand uncertain rustling of each purple curtain Effect Position and influence The first major English poem and the greatest work of literature of Old English period. The greatest epic ever left by the ancient Germanic tribes. The first dialect epic in Europe. The national epic of the Anglo-Saxons. Influence the romance and fantasy. * *