1. Old English Literature
Generally speaking, this period lasts from 449A.D. to 1066 and it witnesd the making of the England. After the Roman withdrawal, from 449 three tribes form Northern Europe invaded Britain: Jutes, Angels and Saxons. Small kingdoms established by them were gradually combined into one united kingdom: the land of angels, England. The dialects gradually grew into a single language called Anglo-Saxon, or Old English, which is the basis of Modern English. English literature began with the Anglo-Saxon ttlement in England. They brought a specific poetic tradition. The most important poem is The Song of Beowulf, the national epic of English people. The Anglo-Saxon period experienced a transition from tribal society to feudalism.
2. Medieval English Literature
长高的征兆This period covers about five centuries. After the Norman Conquest in 1066, a feudal system was established in England and Roman Catholic Church had a much stronger control over the country. (Anglo-Saxons were christianized in the 7th century.) English lite述职报告开场白
rature started to flourish in this period. Middle English literature, compared with Old English literature, deals with a wider range of subjects and different styles and genres are ud. 古代英雄人物事迹Romance is the most prevailing kind of literature in the Middle Ages. Popular ballad occupies an important position.
Geoffrey Chaucer is the most important medieval writer. Secular matters are involved in his writings. He is the first realistic writer and the forerunner of English Renaissance for his works bear marks of humanism. 发型设计与脸型搭配William Langland is another important one.
3. Renaissance English literature (late 15th century ~ early 17th century)
During the century and half after the death of Chaucer, England experienced great changes: the establishment of Tudor Dynasty (1485~1603), Religious Reformation, the establishment of Protestantism, commercial expansion abroad, the War with Spain etc. By the means, English bourgeoisie fought for existence and fought for power. The ri of bourgeoisie soon showed its influence in the sphere of cultural life. An intellectual movement known as the Renaissance first began in Italy in the 14
th century and gradually spread all over Europe. Renaissance is also called the rebirth of letters, that is, the classical literature by Greek, Roman and Latin authors. The thought of humanism aro at that time and that is the key to the renaissance. The greatest humanist is Thomas More (Utopia).
初三自我评价
From the first half of the 16th century, the English Renaissance began to develop into a flowering of literature. Many forms of writing appear: translation of classical literature, works on history, books describing discoveries and adventures. Poetry is an important sphere in expressing the voice and the energy of the age. (Sonnet and blank ver are ud.) Most important is the drama, that is, the highest glory of English Renaissance of 16th century. 仪态
The reprentative writers are
Edmund Spencer: poetry
William Shakespeare: drama
Francis Bacon: essay
4. English Literature of the Revolution and Restoration Period (17th century)
悠然自得的意思After the victory of the Spanish War, the tie between the monarchy and the bourgeoisie began to weaken. The conflict between the parliament and the King reached the highest point, hence broke out the English Revolution in 1649. The result was the establishment of a Commonwealth, a republic in England. While after the death of Cromwell, the monarchy was restored 1660. After a century of disputes and battles till the so-called “Glorious Revolution” in 1688, the basic structure of England was ttled.
During the Revolution, the strength of the bourgeoisie and their anger was expresd under a religious cloak, Puritanism. It advocated the simplicity of life, which was good for the accumulation of capital and also greatly influenced the literature of this period. The main literary form of the period is poetry. Among the poets John Milton is the greatest. Besides, the metaphysical poets appeared at about the beginning of the 17th century. Th小孩子头痛怎么办
e works of them are characterized by mysticism in content and fantasticality in form. John Donne is the founder of this school. In the field of pro writing of the Puritan Age, John Bunyan occupies the most important position. This age is called the “Age of Milton”.
The greatest Restoration works are the worldly, witty comedies (Comedy of manners). All the features of Restoration literature are exemplified in the works of John Dryden. This age is called the “Age of Dryden”.
Comedy of manners: take the artificial and sophisticated habits and doings of the high society as its general tting and love as its specific subject. Love for love. William Congreve)
5. 18th century English literature
At the end of the 17th century, England became a constitutional monarchy, then followed a period of comparatively peaceful development. In the 18th century, England witnesd the industrial Revolution and the bourgeois middle class began to grow rapidly. At the sa
me time, an intellectual movement, enlightenment took place in Europe, so to England, which is the struggle of the bourgeoisie against feudalism. The enlighteners advocated equality, reason, and science. The 18th-cnetury England is also called the Age of Enlightenment or the Age of Reason. The reprentative enlighteners are Alexander pope, Joph Addison and Richard Steele.
