十八世纪的英国(英文版).ppt

English Literature in the Eighteenth Century I. Historical Background 1.1. Polititcal and social background After the chaotic 17th century, England entered a comparatively peaceful period. After the Glorious Revolution, the age of constitutional monarchy began in Britain. the bourgeoisie ----- the aristocracy the state power passed from the king gradually to the Parliament and the cabinet ministers. a vast expansion of British colonies in Asia, Africa and North America, and a continuous increase of colonial wealth and trade provided England with a market for which the small-scale, manual production methods of the home industry were hardly adequate. invention of textile machines and other kinds of machinery. Science and technology developed very fast. Industrial Revolution Enclosure movement Towards the middle of the 19th century, Britain had become the first powerful capitalist country in the world. A big industrial and colonial capitalist power People enjoyed the prolonged social stability and economic growth. 1.2 Cultural Background The Enlightenment Movement was in full swing in England during this period. an intellectual movement beginning in France and then spread throughout Europe. a continuation of Renaissance in belief in the possibility of human perfection through education Many intellectuals wanted to enlighten the whole world with the light of modern philosophical, scientific and artistic ideas. to replace feudalist thoughts and the noble-class ideology with bourgeois ideology They believed that reason should be the only yardstick for the measurement of all human activities. The Age of Reason The enlighteners advocated reason, science and equality and fought against injustice, inequality and oppression. an intellectual/ cultural revolution For materialism and against idealism to reinforce the bourgeoisies power and leading position II. Literature in this period three main divisions 2.1. Classicism (neo-cla