英美文学整理要点.doc

第一部分： 1.The Old English poetry that has survived can be divided into two groups: the pagan and Christian or the secular and religious. 2.Beowulf—— the national epic of the Anglo--Saxon 3. Beowulf is not a Christian but a pagan poem of all advanced pagan civilization, presenting an all-around picture of the tribal society. So the poem has a great social significance. 4. Essential features of romance: The romance was the prevailing form of literature in the Middle Ages. It was a long composition, sometimes in verse, sometimes in prose, describing the life and adventures of a noble hero, Its essential features are: (1)it lacks general resemblance to truth or reality. (2)It exaggerates the vices of human nature and idealizes the virtues. (3)It contains perilous adventures more or less remote from ordinary life. (4)It lays emphasis on supreme devotion to a fair lady. (5)The central character of the romance is the knight, a man of noble birth skilled in the use of weapons. He is commonly described as riding forth to seek adventures, taking part in tournaments, or fighting for his lord in battle. He is devoted to the church and the king. 5. Significance of The Canterbury Tales the first to present a comprehensive and realistic picture of the English society of his time and created a whole gallery of vivid characters from all walks of life in his masterpiece The Canterbury Tales 填空题和选择题 1.______, the “father of English poetry” and one of the greatest narrative poets of England, was born in London about 1340 2. Apart from original poems, Chaucer translated various works of French authors, among them is the famous _________. a. The Canterbury Tales b. The Romaunt of the Rose c. The Parliament of Fowls d. The House of Fame 3. Chaucer composed a long narrative poem named _________ based on Boccaccio?s poem Filostrato. a. the knight?s tale b. Troilus and Cressie c. The tale of Nun?s Priest d. the Wife of Bat