英国文学与美国的重点2.doc

英美文学重点English American Literature Old Medieval English Literature Old English: 450-1066 Epic, in poetry, refers to a long work dealing with the action of Gods and other Heroes. Alliteration means the repetition of the initial sounds of words in a line or group. Heroic couplets means iambic pentameter rhymed in two lines. Beowulf the national epic of the Anglo-SaxonsMedieval English： 1066 - middle 14th century Geoffrey Chaucer - the father of English poetry (wisdom, humor, humanity) Achievements He contributed a great deal to the establishment of English as the literary language of England, based on London dialect. He introduced from French poetry various rhymed metrical forms (especially the heroic couplet”) to English poetry. The Canterbury Tales first time to use heroic couplet Troilus and Criseyde The Romaunt of the Rose The house of Fame The Renaissance Period: 14th –mid 17th started in Italy Historical background: The breaking up of feudal relations and the establishing of the foundations of capitalism; The enclosure; The war of the Roses; the strengthening of the absolute monarchy; the rise of the bourgeoisie; the defeat of the Spanish Armada. New social and economic conditions brought about great changes in the development of science and art. So with the strengthening of new bourgeois national state, this period is marked by a flourishing of national culture known as the Renaissance. A series of historical events: rediscovery of ancient Roman Greek culture new discoveries in geography astrology(占星学) the religious reformation economic expansion Renaissance – Renaissance refer to the transitional period from the medieval to modern world. It first started in Italy in the 14th century. The renaissance means rebirth or revival. Humanism is the essence of the renaissance. The mainstream of the English renaissance is the Elizabeth drama. This period produced such literary giants as Shakespeare, Spencer, Marlowe, Bacon, Donne, and Milton etc.