EnglishliteratureI简介和古英语时期英国文学.ppt

The she-monster almost killed Beowulf. Beowulf finally succeeded. Beowulf ruled the country for about 50 years… The Fire Dragon guarded the treasure. A runaway slave stole the treasure … Beowulf went to fight with the Fire Dragon. Beowulf fought against  the Fire Dragon. Beowulf was wounded  and died. They killed the dragon and got the treasure… ii．Significance of “Beowulf” It is the longest finest of extant现存的 old English poems the national epic of the English people. It sings of the exciting adventures of a great legendary hero whose physical strength demonstrates his high spiritual qualities, i.e. his resolution to serve his country kinsfolk, his true courage, courteous conduct, and his love of honor. In the poem, Beowulf is strong, courageous, selfless, and ready to risk his life in order to rid his people of evil monsters. (Thematically, this poem shows how the primitive people fight against the forces of the natural world under a wise mighty leader.) iii. Poetic Form and Features of “Beowulf” Form: Beowulf was written in alliterative verse (头韵) . Features: (1) The use of alliteration is one of its most striking features. (In alliterative verse, certain stressed words in a line begin with the same consonant sound. There are 4 stresses in a line generally, three or two of which show alliteration, as can be seen from the lines from the end of the poem）. Each line is divided into two halves, and each half has two heavy stresses. : “Thus made their mourning the men of Greatland, For their hero’s passing, his hearth-companions Quoth 古说（用在第一与第三人称的过去式） that of all the kings of earth, Of men he was the mildest and most beloved, To his kin the kindest, keenest to praise.” (In modern translation) Features of “Beowulf” (2)The use of compound-words (kennings比喻的复合词) to serve as metaphors: “Ring-giver” is used for king, “hearth-companion” for his attendant warriors, “swan’s bath” or “whale’s road” for sea, “sea-wood” for ship, the soldiers