教 案 课程名称 英国文学 授课专业及层次 授课内容 Lecture eight: 学时数 Introduction tothe 17 century 2 To let the students see the significance of literature: 教学目的 To let the students have the general im ssion of British literature To let the students get basic knowledge of British literature 重点 To get to know the general clue of British literary history To get to know the important British writers and literary works 难点 To get to know some key terms To know some methods for literary appreciation and criticism 自学内容 Additional reading materials about the western cultural background 使用教具 Projector,audio-video machine 相关学科知识 Western culture and general Literary theories Open questions and answers in class 教学法 Class discussion and analysis 讲授内容纲要、要求及时间分配 English Literature in the Seventeenth Century 1.0 Social Background The 17th century was one of the most tempestuous periods in English history.Conflicts and clashes appeared between the King and the Parliament,which represented the bourgeois class. In 1642,a civil war (English revolution)broke out between Charles I and the parliament.At last,the royalists were defeated by the parliament army led by Oliver Cromwell.In 1649 Charles I was beheaded,and England was declared to be a commonwealth. After the death of Cromwell,the parliament recalled 5 Charles IIto England in 1660 and monarchy was restored,then
教 案 课程名称 英国文学 授课专业及层次 授课内容 Lecture eight: Introduction to the 17th century 学时数 2 教学目的 To let the students see the significance of literature; To let the students have the general impression of British literature. To let the students get basic knowledge of British literature 重 点 To get to know the general clue of British literary history To get to know the important British writers and literary works 难 点 To get to know some key terms To know some methods for literary appreciation and criticism 自学内容 Additional reading materials about the western cultural background 使用教具 Projector, audio-video machine 相关学科知识 Western culture and general Literary theories 教 学 法 Open questions and answers in class Class discussion and analysis 讲授内容纲要、要求及时间分配 English Literature in the Seventeenth Century 1.0 Social Background The 17th century was one of the most tempestuous periods in English history. Conflicts and clashes appeared between the King and the Parliament, which represented the bourgeois class. In 1642, a civil war (English revolution) broke out between Charles I and the parliament. At last, the royalists were defeated by the parliament army led by Oliver Cromwell. In 1649 Charles I was beheaded, and England was declared to be a commonwealth. After the death of Cromwell, the parliament recalled CharlesⅡto England in 1660 and monarchy was restored, then 5’ 5’
followed the Restoration Period. In 1688,the bourgeoisie invite William,prince of Orange;form 5 Holland to be king of England.This is called the "Glorious Revolution".This bloodless event completed the bourgeoisie revolution and modern England was firmly established. 2.0 The English Revolution and Puritanism 5 The English revolution was carried out under a religious cloak So,English revolution also called the Puritan revolution.The Puritan Movement aimed to make man honest and to make man free. Puritanism was the religious doctrine of the revolutionary 5 bourgeoisie during this period.It preached thrift,sobriety,hard work but with very little extravagant enjoyment of the fruits of labor Worldly pleasures were condemned as harmful.So in the triumph of Puritanism under Cromwell,severe laws were passed,many simple pleasures were forbidden and an austere standard of living was forced upon an unwilling people.The London theaters were closed in 1642 The whole spirit of the movement:fighting for liberty and justice,overthrowing despotism and making men's life and property safe from the tyranny ofrulers. 3.0 Literature of the 17th century 5 English literature of the revolution and restoration was very much
followed the Restoration Period. In 1688, the bourgeoisie invite William, prince of Orange; form Holland to be king of England. This is called the “Glorious Revolution”. This bloodless event completed the bourgeoisie revolution and modern England was firmly established. 2.0 The English Revolution and Puritanism The English revolution was carried out under a religious cloak. So, English revolution also called the Puritan revolution. The Puritan Movement aimed to make man honest and to make man free. Puritanism was the religious doctrine of the revolutionary bourgeoisie during this period. It preached thrift, sobriety, hard work, but with very little extravagant enjoyment of the fruits of labor. Worldly pleasures were condemned as harmful. So in the triumph of Puritanism under Cromwell, severe laws were passed, many simple pleasures were forbidden and an austere standard of living was forced upon an unwilling people. The London theaters were closed in 1642. The whole spirit of the movement: fighting for liberty and justice，overthrowing despotism and making men’s life and property safe from the tyranny of rulers. 3.0 Literature of the 17th century English literature of the revolution and restoration was very much 5’ 5’ 5’ 5’
concerned with the tremendous social upheavals ofthe time 3.1 Literature of the Revolution Period A.general characteristics 5 1)The Revolution Period was one of confusion in literature due to the breaking up of the old ideals.The Puritans believed in simplicity of life.They disapproved of the sonnets and the love poetry written in the previous period.Literature was as divide din spirit as were the struggling parties. 2)Literature in the Puritan Age expressed age and sadness.Even its brightest hours were followed by gloom and pessimism. 3)Romantic ardor can not be found in literature of the Puritan period. 4)John Milton,whose work would glorify any age and people,and in his work the indomitable revolutionary spirit found its noblest expression.Forthis reason,this period is also called Age of Milton. 5)The main literary form of the period was poetry.Besides Milton, there were two other groups of poets,the Metaphysical Poets and the Cavalier Poets. B.Metaphysical Poets The Metaphysical Poets appeared in England at about the beginning of the 17th century.They sought to shatter myths and replace them with new philosophies,new sciences,new world and
concerned with the tremendous social upheavals of the time. 3.1 Literature of the Revolution Period A. general characteristics 1) The Revolution Period was one of confusion in literature due to the breaking up of the old ideals. The Puritans believed in simplicity of life. They disapproved of the sonnets and the love poetry written in the previous period. Literature was as divide din spirit as were the struggling parties. 2) Literature in the Puritan Age expressed age and sadness. Even its brightest hours were followed by gloom and pessimism. 3) Romantic ardor can not be found in literature of the Puritan period. 4) John Milton, whose work would glorify any age and people, and in his work the indomitable revolutionary spirit found its noblest expression. For this reason, this period is also called Age of Milton． 5)The main literary form of the period was poetry．Besides Milton, there were two other groups of poets, the Metaphysical Poets and the Cavalier Poets. B. Metaphysical Poets The Metaphysical Poets appeared in England at about the beginning of the 17th century. They sought to shatter myths and replace them with new philosophies, new sciences, new world and 5’ 5’ 5’ 5’
new poetry.With a rebellious spirit,they favored in poetry a more colloquial language,a single-minded working of one theme.Besides, they tended to logically reason the things,esp.emotions psychologically analyze the emotions of love and religion,love the novelty and the shocking,use the metaphysical conceits,and ignore the conventional devices.The works of these poets are characterized by mysticism in content and fantasticality in form. John Donne (1573-1631)is the founder of the Metaphysical 八 School.Donne is famous for his frankness,penetrating realism and cynicism.He emphasizes his thought by fantastic metaphors and extravagant hyperboles.John Donne's masterpiece is Songs and Sonnets《歌曲与十四行诗》，among which The Sun Rising and The Flea are the two most famous poems. George Herbert (1593-1633)is "the saint of the Metaphysical School"(玄学派诗圣).His chief work is a collection called The Temple《t神殿》，which includes his I60 short poems. Cavalier Poets Another school of poetry prevailing in the period'were the 5 Cavalier Poets.Most of these poets were courtiers and soldiers.They sided with the king to fight against the revolution.The representatives of this school are Sir John Suckling (1609-1642), Richard Lovelace (1618-1657),Thomas Carew (1595-1639),and
new poetry. With a rebellious spirit, they favored in poetry a more colloquial language, a single-minded working of one theme. Besides, they tended to logically reason the things, esp. emotions, psychologically analyze the emotions of love and religion, love the novelty and the shocking, use the metaphysical conceits, and ignore the conventional devices. The works of these poets are characterized by mysticism in content and fantasticality in form. John Donne (1573-1631) is the founder of the Metaphysical School. Donne is famous for his frankness, penetrating realism and cynicism. He emphasizes his thought by fantastic metaphors and extravagant hyperboles. John Donne’s masterpiece is Songs and Sonnets《歌曲与十四行诗》, among which The Sun Rising and The Flea are the two most famous poems. George Herbert (1593-1633) is "the saint of the Metaphysical School"(玄学派诗圣). His chief work is a collection called The Temple《神殿》, which includes his 160 short poems. Cavalier Poets Another school of poetry prevailing in the period' were the Cavalier Poets. Most of these poets were courtiers and soldiers. They sided with the king to fight against the revolution. The representatives of this school are Sir John Suckling (1609-1642), Richard Lovelace (1618-1657), Thomas Carew (1595-1639), and 5’ 5’ 5’ 5’
Robert Herrick(1591-1674). 3.2 Literature of the Restoration 5 Restoration literature is deeply influenced by French classical taste.It is a period ofFrench influence A.general characteristics 5 1.The tendency to vulgar realism in the drama.Restoration writers sought to paint realistic pictures ofa corrupt society. 2.A general formalism.They produced coarse,low plays without interest or moral significance. 3.The development ofa simpler and moredirect prose style. 5 4.The prevalence of the heroic couplet(two iambic pentameter lines which rime together)in poetry. B.John Dryden(1631-1700) 5 Dryden was a poet,a playwright and a critic.He established the heroic couplet as one of the principal English verse forms classified the English prose and made it precise,concise and flexible and raised English literary criticism to a new level.He was the forerunner ofthe English classical school ofliterature in the next century. 4.0 The characteristics of the best metaphysical poetry The characteristics of the best metaphysical poetry are logical elements in a technique intended to express honestly,if unconventionally,the poet's sense of life's complexities.The poetry
Robert Herrick (1591-1674). 3.2 Literature of the Restoration Restoration literature is deeply influenced by French classical taste. It is a period of French influence. A. general characteristics 1. The tendency to vulgar realism in the drama. Restoration writers sought to paint realistic pictures of a corrupt society. 2. A general formalism. They produced coarse, low plays without interest or moral significance. 3. The development of a simpler and more direct prose style. 4. The prevalence of the heroic couplet (two iambic pentameter lines which rime together) in poetry. B. John Dryden (1631-1700) Dryden was a poet, a playwright and a critic. He established the heroic couplet as one of the principal English verse forms classified the English prose and made it precise, concise and flexible and raised English literary criticism to a new level. He was the forerunner of the English classical school of literature in the next century. 4.0 The characteristics of the best metaphysical poetry The characteristics of the best metaphysical poetry are logical elements in a technique intended to express honestly, if unconventionally, the poet’s sense of life’s complexities. The poetry 5’ 5’ 5’ 5’ 5’
is intellectual,analytical,psychological,disillusioning.bold: absorbed in thoughts of death,physical love,religious devotion.The diction is relatively simple and may echo common speech.The imagery is drawn from the commonplace or the remote,actual life or erudite sources,the figure itself often being elaborated with self-conscious ingenuity.The form is frequently that ofan argument Sophistry (sophist:person who uses clever but false arguments intended to deceive
is intellectual, analytical, psychological, disillusioning, bold; absorbed in thoughts of death, physical love, religious devotion. The diction is relatively simple and may echo common speech. The imagery is drawn from the commonplace or the remote, actual life or erudite sources, the figure itself often being elaborated with self-conscious ingenuity. The form is frequently that of an argument. Sophistry （诡辩） sophist: person who uses clever but false arguments intended to deceive. 5’