【精品文档】：Lecture Four British Literature 0927-29---lhy.ppt

Outline I. Early Writing II. Elizabethan Drama III. The 17th Century IV. The 18th Century V. The Romantic Period VI. The 19th Century Novel VII. 20th Century Literature I. Early Writing 1.?British literature concerned with Christianity: Anglo-Saxons’ illustrated versions of the bible: the most famous—the Book of Kells. 3. Geoffrey Chaucer(1343-1400) The Canterbury Tales —the most important work in Middle English Literature. It’s made up of a series of stories told by 31 pilgrims to entertain each other on their way to the Christian Church at Canterbury in south-east England. (P83) 4.?The stories of King Arthur and his knights —King Arthur was the King of England in the 5th Century and was the central figure of many legends. History of the Kings of Britain published in 1138 well established King Arthur in literary form. The book invented material to fill the broad gaps in the historical record. II. Elizabethan Drama? (1533.9.7—1603.5.24) —a general flowering of cultural and intellectual life in Europe during 15th and16th C. which is known as “The Renaissance”. —drama: the most successful and long-lasting expressions of this development. —the 1st professional theatre opened in London in 1576. —the great trio (the best of the famous playwrights). The Renaissance: an intellectual movement sprang firstly in Italy in the 14th century and gradually spread all over Europe. Two features are striking of this movement: One is a thirsting curiosity for the classical literature; The other is the keen interest in the activities of humanity. Key-note: Humanism. 1.???Christopher Marlowe—the earliest of the trio?? “University Wits” The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus William Shakespeare (1564-1616) He was not of an age, but for all time. —Ben Jonson Comedies and Tragedies The Merchant of Venice The Twelfth Night A Mid-Summer Night’s Dream As You Like it Hamlet King Lear Othello Macbeth