英国文学史整理

History and Anthology of English Literature I Part I The Anglo-Saxon Period（449-1066）（In Chin

HistoryandAnthologyofEnglishLiterature I PartITheAnglo-SaxonPeriod449-1066 （） InChin.Chr.:NorthernandSouthernDynasties–NorthernSongDyn.) （ HistoryoftheEnglishLanguage OldEnglish:Anglo-Saxontimes—1100 MiddleEnglish:1150--1500 ModernEnglish:1500–presenttimes (EarlyModernEnglish:1500–1700) In43A.D.theRomanslandedinBritainandmadesouthBritainaRomanprovince WhentheRomanEmpiredeclinedanditstroopsleftEngland,thetribesofAngles, SaxonsandJutesinvadedtheislandfromNorthernEuropearoundthe5th century(about449A.D.). *Epic:alongnarrativepoemaboutheroicdeedsandadventures. Thestory Accordingtothecontentsofthestory,thepoemcanbedividedintothreeparts: PartI:thefightagainstGrendel PartII:thefightagainstGrendel’smother PartIII:thefightagainsttheFireDragon Theartisticfeatures Alliteration,metaphor,understatement,vividpoeticdictionandparallelexpressions forasingleidea Thethemes Thechiefsignificanceofthisepicliesinthevividportrayalofagreatnationalhero, strongandcourageousandselflessandeverhelpfultohispeopleandkinsfolk.The SongofBeowulfcanbejustlytermedEnglishnationalepicanditsheroBeowulf– oneofthenationalheroesoftheEnglishpeople.