English Literature 1)Henry Vil the king came to the power in 1485, which began a new epoch of unification and development 2)Henry VIlls break with the Rome Catholics in 1533, which paved the way for a liberal 3)Victory over Spain by defeating Spanish Armada in 1588, which paved the way for Englishmen to search treasure and territory all over the world 4)Charles Is succeeding to the crown in 1625 and his harsh treatment with the parliament gave birth to the Puritan Revolution Economical facts having impact on the development of English literature of the time 1)The movement Sheep Devoured Men 2) With the expansion of its territory and endless treasure from the colonies, English economy obtain favorable conditions and sufficient capital and resources to develop it ndustry and to build cities Cultural facts affecting the practice of English literature 1) The European Renaissance and the compromise between the royal and the parliament 1688 2)James I authorized the publication of the bible, which bridged Christianity with the common people and set up a basis for a stable ideology; 3) The Puritan Revolution and the revolutionary thoughts of the Puritans pioneered a way for reforms and revolution, which established a tradition for later progress and changes Part ll The main literary achievements of the time Main figures Edmund Spenser (1552-1599), Christopher Marlowe (1564-1599), William Shakespeare (1564-1616), Francis Bacon(1561-1626), John Donne (1572-1631)and Ben Jonson(1572-1637) Edmund Spenser's main contribution can be seen in poetry. That is why sometimes he is called as poet' s poet”. His masterpiece is The Faerie queene(《仙后》), which was dedicated to Queen Elizabeth. His prominence lies in his sonnet and stanza which were named after him as Spenserian Sonnet and Spenserian Stanza, particularly the latter was practised by some famous poets in English literature, Byron for example in his long poem Childe Harolds Pilgrimage Christopher Marlowe was a genius who died young and he was one of the "University Wits".His contribution is witnessed in drama, the famous ones are Tamburlaine(1588), Dr. Faustus(1589) and The Jew of malta(1590 ) probably from which Shakespeare got some inspirations for his writing. And it is said that Marlowe successfully employed Blank Verse in his drama, which became almost an established form in drama from then on Ben Jonson was another genius during that time. He was overshadowed by Shakespeare in history but virtually enjoyed much more fame among their contemporaries than the latter at that time. So after Shakespeare, he was admired by a group of poets who felt proud of being called as"Sons of Ben". Jonson's is prominent for his achievements in comedies, particularly Comedies of Humours, the representatives of which are Every Man In His Humor(1598)and Volpone, or the
English Literature －6－ 1) Henry VII the king came to the power in 1485, which began a new epoch of unification and development; 2) Henry VIII’s break with the Rome Catholics in 1533, which paved the way for a liberal and rapid development; 3) Victory over Spain by defeating Spanish Armada in 1588, which paved the way for Englishmen to search treasure and territory all over the world; 4) Charles I’s succeeding to the crown in 1625 and his harsh treatment with the parliament gave birth to the Puritan Revolution. Economical facts having impact on the development of English literature of the time: 1) The movement “Sheep Devoured Men”; 2) With the expansion of its territory and endless treasure from the colonies, English economy obtain favorable conditions and sufficient capital and resources to develop its industry and to build cities. Cultural facts affecting the practice of English literature: 1) The European Renaissance and the compromise between the royal and the parliament in 1688; 2) James I authorized the publication of the bible, which bridged Christianity with the common people and set up a basis for a stable ideology; 3) The Puritan Revolution and the revolutionary thoughts of the Puritans pioneered a way for reforms and revolution, which established a tradition for later progress and changes. Part II : The main literary achievements of the time Main figures Edmund Spenser (1552-1599), Christopher Marlowe (1564-1599), William Shakespeare (1564-1616), Francis Bacon (1561-1626), John Donne (1572-1631) and Ben Jonson (1572-1637). Edmund Spenser’s main contribution can be seen in poetry. That is why sometimes he is called as “poet’s poet”. His masterpiece is The Faerie Queene (《仙后》)，which was dedicated to Queen Elizabeth. His prominence lies in his sonnet and stanza which were named after him as Spenserian Sonnet and Spenserian Stanza, particularly the latter was practised by some famous poets in English literature, Byron for example in his long poem Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage. Christopher Marlowe was a genius who died young and he was one of the “University Wits”. His contribution is witnessed in drama, the famous ones are Tamburlaine (1588), Dr. Faustus (1589 ) and The Jew of Malta (1590 ), probably from which Shakespeare got some inspirations for his writing. And it is said that Marlowe successfully employed Blank Verse in his drama, which became almost an established form in drama from then on. Ben Jonson was another genius during that time. He was overshadowed by Shakespeare in history but virtually enjoyed much more fame among their contemporaries than the latter at that time. So after Shakespeare, he was admired by a group of poets who felt proud of being called as “Sons of Ben”. Jonson’s is prominent for his achievements in comedies, particularly Comedies of Humours, the representatives of which are Every Man In His Humor (1598) and Volpone, or the
English Literature Fox(1606) As for the other three figurers, we shall discuss them respectively later Some literary terms( related to this period) 1)University Wits It is applied to a group of writers who flourished in London in the last twenty years or so of the 16h century. The most notable were Marlowe, Nashe, Greene and Lyly who all graduated from either Oxford or Cambridge, and who favored using euphuism and extravagance in writing 2) Comedies of Humors It is applied to a form of drama fashionable in the late of the 16th and the early of the 17th century. It is so called because it presented characters whose actions were ruled by a particular passio trait or humor. The leading figure of this form is Ben Jonson and his play Every Man in His Humor is one of the typical 3) Metaphysical Poets This is a term applied to a group of seventeenth century poets, such as John Donne, George Herbert and Andrew Marvell. They shared some features in writing, for example, they favored using conceits, hyperboles and overstatements, they liked to develop some peculiar themes but didnt like to be restrained by strict rhyth Part Ill. Reading and Analysis 1. William Shakespeare(1564-1616) Concerning Shakespeare's life and achievements, probably it is not necessary to say so much because most of English learners must have known some, therefore, here only some significant facts are emphasized. First, Shakespeare had a very rich experience in theatre first as an actor and then as a playwright, and second, he lived in a period of theatre's booming or prosperity and he ad a very rich tradition of theatre to inherit and learn, for example, from Christopher Marlowes plays The Jew of Malta and D: Faustus. These two beneficial conditions must be attached enough attention in the study of Shakespeare's achievements Sample reading of Shakespeare's sonnets, Sonnet 18 Technical analysis Rhythm 2. Images: summer's day, rough winds, the darling buds of May, the eye of heaven, gold plexion, Death Rhetorical analysis 1. fi of h 2. Contrast a summer's day, rough winds ---the darling buds, nature's changing ce thy eternal summer, Death ---eternal lines, men---this( poem), Topics for reflection
English Literature －7－ Fox (1606). As for the other three figurers, we shall discuss them respectively later. Some literary terms ( related to this period): 1) University Wits It is applied to a group of writers who flourished in London in the last twenty years or so of the 16th century. The most notable were Marlowe, Nashe, Greene and Lyly who all graduated from either Oxford or Cambridge, and who favored using euphuism and extravagance in writing. 2) Comedies of Humors It is applied to a form of drama fashionable in the late of the 16th and the early of the 17th century. It is so called because it presented characters whose actions were ruled by a particular passion, trait or humor. The leading figure of this form is Ben Jonson and his play Every Man in His Humor is one of the typical. 3) Metaphysical Poets This is a term applied to a group of seventeenth century poets, such as John Donne, George Herbert and Andrew Marvell. They shared some features in writing, for example, they favored using conceits, hyperboles and overstatements, they liked to develop some peculiar themes but didn’t like to be restrained by strict rhythm. Part III. Reading and Analysis 1. William Shakespeare (1564-1616 ) Concerning Shakespeare’s life and achievements, probably it is not necessary to say so much because most of English learners must have known some, therefore, here only some significant facts are emphasized. First, Shakespeare had a very rich experience in theatre first as an actor and then as a playwright, and second, he lived in a period of theatre’s booming or prosperity and he had a very rich tradition of theatre to inherit and learn, for example, from Christopher Marlowe’s plays The Jew of Malta and Dr. Faustus. These two beneficial conditions must be attached enough attention in the study of Shakespeare’s achievements. Sample reading of Shakespeare’s sonnets, Sonnet 18 Technical analysis 1. Rhythm: 2. Images: summer’s day, rough winds, the darling buds of May, the eye of heaven, gold complexion, Death Rhetorical analysis 1. figures of speech : 2. Contrast : thee ---- a summer’s day, rough winds ---- the darling buds, nature’s changing course ---- thy eternal summer, Death ---- eternal lines, men --- this(poem), etc. Topics for reflection:
English literature 1. Who is" thee"in the poem? Prove your interpretation 2. The sonnet is assigned to be recited Sample reading of Shakespeare's drama----One excerpt from Hamlet Historical Approach Historical background of the play Historical background in the play Character study--- Analysis of hamlet 1. Analysis 2. Analysis of Hamlets melancholy and delay in action 3. Analysis of the monologue Summary of Hamlets characteristics 1. Hamlet is in a serious conflict or contradiction, to be or not to be; that is the question; 2. Hamlet is in a great melancholy and he is sensitive and alert; 3. Hamlet believes more in the life than the afterlife 4. Hamlet is very cautious and thoughtful 5. Hamlet has a very perceptive mind at the cruelty and hardships of the life or the society Terminology---Shakespeare's four great tragedies gr( his four tragedies stand out as the masterpieces. The four greatest tragedies are Hamlet, Othello King Lear and Macbeth. Hamlet, a drama of murder and revenge, reveals the conflict between feudalism and humanism. Othello, a tragedy of credulity, depicts a conflict between an upright man and a pure woman with a treacherous villain and his tricks. King Lear a tragedy of vanity, hypocrisy and flattery, discloses the serious struggle for property and fame. Macbeth, a tragedy of wild ambition, depicts the struggle for the crown among the noble and the royal 2. John Donne and his metaphysical poetry Brief introduction
English Literature －8－ 1. Who is “thee” in the poem ? Prove your interpretation. 2. The sonnet is assigned to be recited. Summary Sample reading of Shakespeare’s drama---- One excerpt from Hamlet Historical Approach Historical background of the play Historical background in the play Character study--- Analysis of Hamlet 1. Analysis in general 2. Analysis of Hamlet’s melancholy and delay in action 3. Analysis of the monologue Summary of Hamlet’s characteristics: 1. Hamlet is in a serious conflict or contradiction, to be or not to be; that is the question; 2. Hamlet is in a great melancholy and he is sensitive and alert; 3. Hamlet believes more in the life than the afterlife; 4. Hamlet is very cautious and thoughtful; 5. Hamlet has a very perceptive mind at the cruelty and hardships of the life or the society. Terminology---Shakespeare’s four great tragedies Shakespeare’s tragedies are often regarded as the greatest accomplishments of the dramatist, while his four tragedies stand out as the masterpieces. The four greatest tragedies are Hamlet, Othello, King Lear and Macbeth. Hamlet, a drama of murder and revenge, reveals the conflict between feudalism and humanism. Othello, a tragedy of credulity, depicts a conflict between an upright man and a pure woman with a treacherous villain and his tricks. King Lear, a tragedy of vanity, hypocrisy and flattery, discloses the serious struggle for property and fame. Macbeth, a tragedy of wild ambition, depicts the struggle for the crown among the noble and the royal. 2. John Donne and his metaphysical poetry Brief introduction
English Literature Reading and Understanding Paraphrase and explanation Technical analvsis Rhythm 1)meter: predominantly in iambic tetrameter but with many variations eg Stanza 1. Stanza 2 2)rhyme: long vowels, 14; short vowels, 22, in the long vowels, there are more /ou/and/ u:/, which suggest sadness, sigh and depress, while the short vowels such as /1/,/e/,/ ie /and/A/ suggest the secrecy and intimacy of a chat or conversation between a le Narrative or conversational style Diction Imagery Metaphor Hyperbole Overstatement Brief introduction to the metaphysical scho The major colors of Metaphysical writing 1) The original images and conceits 2) Skillful use of colloquial speech or language 3)Flexible meter and rhythm; 4)Extravagant hyperboles 5)Complex and even peculiar themes Terminology---Metaphysical Poetry(as a term) 3. Francis Bacon(1561-1626 Brief introduction Sample reading Of Studies( Partial analysis---S$9)
English Literature －9－ Reading and Understanding Paraphrase and explanation Technical analysis Rhythm 1) meter : predominantly in iambic tetrameter but with many variations eg. Stanza 1, Stanza 2 2) rhyme : long vowels, 14; short vowels, 22, in the long vowels, there are more / ou / and / u: /, which suggest sadness, sigh and depress, while the short vowels such as / i /, / e /, / ie / and / ^ / suggest the secrecy and intimacy of a chat or conversation between a couple. Narrative or conversational style Diction Imagery Rhetorical analysis Metaphor : Contrast : Hyperbole Overstatement Brief introduction to the Metaphysical School The major colors of Metaphysical writing: 1) The original images and conceits. 2) Skillful use of colloquial speech or language; 3) Flexible meter and rhythm; 4) Extravagant hyperboles; 5) Complex and even peculiar themes. Terminology---Metaphysical Poetry (as a term) 3. Francis Bacon (1561-1626) Brief introduction Sample reading : Of Studies ( Partial analysis---S 1—S 9 )
English Literature Diction Sentence pattern Rhetorical analysis Allusions Parallelism In summary, based on the former brief analysis of the three aspects of language, the style of the essay can be described as concise, forceful, and elegant. And considering the general attitude or tone of the work, we can draw a conclusion that it is predominantly subjective, positive and formal Being subjective that the central topic or the main arguments are built on Bacons personal ideas and opinions rather than on some objective data such as facts or details from experiments or something like that. And observing the sentence pattern, we shall find that there are many sentences in predicate plus predicative structure, that is," what is what"structure, for example, (1) There chief use for delight is in privateness and retiring, for ornament, is in discourse; and for ability, is in the judgment and disposition of business. ,(2)To spend too much time in studies is sloth; to use them too much for ornament is affectation;. (3)"They perfect nat natural abilities are like natural plant, ,(4)"Some books are to be tasted,.",(5)"Some books also may be read by deputy and extracts. This type of sentence, in deep structure or in Stylistics, suggests a more conclusive connotation than a hortative meaning. Being positive means that in attitude Bacon intends to educate or inspire or instruct in order to help those from the noble or aristocratic families how to build up good manners, morals and methods Being formal can be strengthened from both the diction and sentence pattern and rhetorical devices CHAPTER THREE THE NEO-CLASSIC PERIOD Major por Background information Major figures of the time Reading and analysis of some representative works Part L. Background information Part Il. Major figures 1. John Milton(1608-1674) 2. John Dryden(1631-1700) 10
English Literature －10－ Diction Sentence pattern Rhetorical analysis Similes: Metaphors: Allusions: Parallelism : In summary, based on the former brief analysis of the three aspects of language, the style of the essay can be described as concise, forceful, and elegant. And considering the general attitude or tone of the work, we can draw a conclusion that it is predominantly subjective, positive and formal. Being subjective means that the central topic or the main arguments are built on Bacon’s personal ideas and opinions rather than on some objective data such as facts or details from experiments or something like that. And observing the sentence pattern, we shall find that there are many sentences in predicate plus predicative structure, that is, “ what is what” structure, for example,(1) “There chief use for delight is in privateness and retiring; for ornament, is in discourse; and for ability, is in the judgment and disposition of business.”, (2)“To spend too much time in studies is sloth; to use them too much for ornament is affectation; ....”,(3) “They perfect nature, .... for natural abilities are like natural plant,”, (4) “Some books are to be tasted,.....”, (5) “Some books also may be read by deputy and extracts...”. This type of sentence, in deep structure or in Stylistics, suggests a more conclusive connotation than a hortative meaning. Being positive means that in attitude Bacon intends to educate or inspire or instruct in order to help those from the noble or aristocratic families how to build up good manners, morals and methods. Being formal can be strengthened from both the diction and sentence pattern and rhetorical devices. CHAPTER THREE : THE NEO—CLASSIC PERIOD Major points: Background information Major figures of the time Reading and analysis of some representative works Part I. Background information Part II. Major figures 1. John Milton (1608-1674 ) 2. John Dryden (1631-1700 )