old english/anglo-saxon period years: 449-1066
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Old English/Anglo-Saxon Period Years: 449-1066. Content: strong belief in fate juxtaposition of church and pagan worlds admiration of heroic warriors who prevail in battle express religious faith and give moral instruction through literature. The Anglo-Saxons: 449–1066. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Old English/Anglo-Saxon Old English/Anglo-Saxon Period Period
Years: 449-1066Years: 449-1066Content: Content: strong belief in fate strong belief in fate juxtaposition of church and pagan worlds juxtaposition of church and pagan worlds admiration of heroic warriors who prevail in battle admiration of heroic warriors who prevail in battle express religious faith and give moral instruction express religious faith and give moral instruction through literature through literature
The Anglo-Saxons: 449–1066The Anglo-Saxons: 449–1066
300s B.C.-300s B.C.-Celts in BritainCelts in Britain
55 B.C–A.D.409-55 B.C–A.D.409-Roman OccupationRoman Occupation
A.D. 400–699 A.D. 400–699 Spread of ChristianitySpread of Christianity
A.D. 449-A.D. 449-Anglo-Saxon InvasionAnglo-Saxon Invasion
A.D.878 A.D.878 King Alfred against the DanesKing Alfred against the Danes
A.D. 1066 A.D. 1066 Norman InvasionNorman Invasion
The Celts in BritainThe Celts in BritainBefore and during the 4th century Before and during the 4th century
B.C.B.C.Britain home to several Celtic tribesBritain home to several Celtic tribes
Britain named for one Celtic tribe—the Britain named for one Celtic tribe—the BrythonsBrythons
King Arthur – famous Celtic King (516?)King Arthur – famous Celtic King (516?)
Celtic religion a form of Celtic religion a form of animism (belief animism (belief that that Gods/spirits controlled all aspects of Gods/spirits controlled all aspects of life and could take the form of trees, rivers, life and could take the form of trees, rivers, fire, thunder, etc)fire, thunder, etc)
449 AD The Anglo-Saxon Invasion449 AD The Anglo-Saxon InvasionAnglo-Saxon SocietyAnglo-Saxon Society
Warrior-based society, led by strong warrior Warrior-based society, led by strong warrior chiefchief
“ “Warfare was the order of the day” (between Warfare was the order of the day” (between clans, tribes, and outside invaders)clans, tribes, and outside invaders)
Anglo-Saxon life was dominated by the need to Anglo-Saxon life was dominated by the need to protect the clan and home from enemies.protect the clan and home from enemies.
Fame and success were achieved through Fame and success were achieved through loyalty to a leader, and success was measured loyalty to a leader, and success was measured by gifts received from leaders.by gifts received from leaders.
The Anglo-Saxon InvasionThe Anglo-Saxon Invasion
Women had many rights in Anglo-SaxonWomen had many rights in Anglo-Saxon
society. Women inherited and held property society. Women inherited and held property (even when married) and were offered (even when married) and were offered substantial gifts of money and land from substantial gifts of money and land from prospective husbands.prospective husbands.
English emerged as a written languageEnglish emerged as a written language
The Anglo-Saxon religionThe Anglo-Saxon religion
offered no hope of an afterlife…only fameoffered no hope of an afterlife…only fame
offered immortality and provided a defenseoffered immortality and provided a defense
against death.against death.
valued concept of the “Heroic Ideal”…valued concept of the “Heroic Ideal”…earthly virtues of bravery, loyalty, earthly virtues of bravery, loyalty, generosity, and friendship.generosity, and friendship.
The Anglo-Saxon bardsThe Anglo-Saxon bards
called “scops” called “scops”
skilled storytellers and honored members skilled storytellers and honored members of society.of society.
sang of heroic deedssang of heroic deeds
regarded as equals to warriorsregarded as equals to warriors
Why were scops important?Why were scops important?
• • Anglo-Saxons did not believe in an Anglo-Saxons did not believe in an afterlifeafterlife
• • warriors gained immortality through warriors gained immortality through songs preserved in the collective memory.songs preserved in the collective memory.
The spread of ChristianityThe spread of Christianity
Around 400 AD- Around 400 AD- Christian monks settle in BritainChristian monks settle in Britain Christianity and Anglo-Saxon culture co-existChristianity and Anglo-Saxon culture co-exist
By 600 AD-By 600 AD- British pagan religions replaced by British pagan religions replaced by
ChristianityChristianity
Genres: Genres:
oral tradition of literature oral tradition of literature
poetry dominant genre poetry dominant genre
unique verse form unique verse form
Epic – a long, narrative poem that relates Epic – a long, narrative poem that relates the great deeds of a larger than life hero the great deeds of a larger than life hero who embodies (is made up of and reflects) who embodies (is made up of and reflects) the values of a particular society.the values of a particular society.
Styles:Styles:Caesura: a plot is or break in a line of poetry Caesura: a plot is or break in a line of poetry used to emphasize the word or phrase that used to emphasize the word or phrase that precedes it were two very the rhythmical precedes it were two very the rhythmical effects.effects.
Alliteration: the repetition of consonant sounds Alliteration: the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginnings of words, used to impart a at the beginnings of words, used to impart a musical quality to poems, to create mood, to musical quality to poems, to create mood, to reinforce meaning, to emphasize particular reinforce meaning, to emphasize particular words, and to unify lines or stanzas.words, and to unify lines or stanzas.
Continued StylesContinued StylesRepetition: The return of a word, phrase, Repetition: The return of a word, phrase, stanza form, or effect in any form of literature. stanza form, or effect in any form of literature. Repetition is an effective literary device that Repetition is an effective literary device that may bring comfort, increase memorization, may bring comfort, increase memorization, suggest order, or add special meaning to a suggest order, or add special meaning to a piece of literature.piece of literature.
Kenning: metaphorical compound words or Kenning: metaphorical compound words or phrases substituted for simple nouns, ex. phrases substituted for simple nouns, ex. ““whales’ homewhales’ home” for sea & “” for sea & “givers of goldgivers of gold” for ” for rulers or emperors. rulers or emperors.
Continued StylesContinued Styles
Four Beat Rhythm: four beats to a line, is Four Beat Rhythm: four beats to a line, is the meter of nursery rhymes, children’s the meter of nursery rhymes, children’s jump-rope and counting-out rhymes, folk jump-rope and counting-out rhymes, folk songs and ballads, marching cadence songs and ballads, marching cadence calls, and a good deal of art poetry.calls, and a good deal of art poetry.
Effect: Effect: Christianity helps literacy to spread Christianity helps literacy to spread introduces Roman alphabet to Britain introduces Roman alphabet to Britain oral tradition helps unite diverse peoples and oral tradition helps unite diverse peoples and their myths their myths
Historical Context: Historical Context:
life centered around ancestral tribes or clans life centered around ancestral tribes or clans that ruled themselves that ruled themselves at first the people were warriors from invading at first the people were warriors from invading outlying areas: Angles, Saxons, Jutes, and outlying areas: Angles, Saxons, Jutes, and Danes Danes later they were agricultural later they were agricultural
Key Literature/Authors: Key Literature/Authors:
Beowulf Beowulf
Bede Bede
Exeter Book Exeter Book
Middle English PeriodMiddle English Period(The Medieval Period)(The Medieval Period)
Years: 1066-1485 Years: 1066-1485
Content: Content:
plays that instruct the illiterate masses in plays that instruct the illiterate masses in morals and religion morals and religion
chivalric code of honorchivalric code of honor
romances romances
religious devotionreligious devotion
Style/Genres: Style/Genres: oral tradition continues oral tradition continues folk ballads: written by unknown authors and handed folk ballads: written by unknown authors and handed down orally, usually depict ordinary people in the midst down orally, usually depict ordinary people in the midst of tragic events and adventures of love and bravery. of tragic events and adventures of love and bravery. They tend to begin abruptly, focus on a single incident, They tend to begin abruptly, focus on a single incident, use dialogue and repetition, often contain supernatural use dialogue and repetition, often contain supernatural elements, and suggest more than they actually state.elements, and suggest more than they actually state.
mystery and miracle: drama written in the Middle Ages mystery and miracle: drama written in the Middle Ages that portrays a biblical story.that portrays a biblical story.
morality plays: a drama written in the Middle Ages that morality plays: a drama written in the Middle Ages that dramatizes conflict through allegory; the characters in dramatizes conflict through allegory; the characters in morality plays are allegorical figures, such as Vice, morality plays are allegorical figures, such as Vice, Mercy, Death, and Good Deeds. Mercy, Death, and Good Deeds.
Genre/Styles contin.Genre/Styles contin.
stock epithets:stock epithets: A short, poetic nickname--often in the A short, poetic nickname--often in the form of an adjective or adjectival phrase--attached to the form of an adjective or adjectival phrase--attached to the normal name, ex) Robert the Devil, Richard the normal name, ex) Robert the Devil, Richard the Lionheart.Lionheart.
kennings: metaphorical compound words or phrases kennings: metaphorical compound words or phrases substituted for simple nouns, ex. “substituted for simple nouns, ex. “whales’ homewhales’ home” for sea ” for sea & “& “givers of goldgivers of gold” for rulers or emperors. ” for rulers or emperors.
frame stories: a story is told within a narrative setting or frame stories: a story is told within a narrative setting or frame creating a story within a story.frame creating a story within a story.
moral tales: A traditional narrative (e.g., a fable, proverb, moral tales: A traditional narrative (e.g., a fable, proverb, or urban legend) with a moral message warning of the or urban legend) with a moral message warning of the consequences of certain actions, inactions, or character consequences of certain actions, inactions, or character flaws.flaws.
Effect: Effect: church instructs its people through the church instructs its people through the morality and miracle plays morality and miracle plays an illiterate population is able to hear and an illiterate population is able to hear and see the literaturesee the literature
Historical Context: Historical Context: Crusades bring the development of a money economy Crusades bring the development of a money economy for the first time in Britain for the first time in Britain trading increases dramatically as a result of the trading increases dramatically as a result of the Crusades Crusades William the Conqueror crowned king in 1066 William the Conqueror crowned king in 1066 Henry III crowned king in 1154 brings a judicial system, Henry III crowned king in 1154 brings a judicial system, royal courts, juries, and chivalry to Britain royal courts, juries, and chivalry to Britain
Key Literature/Authors: Key Literature/Authors:
Domesday Book Domesday Book L’Morte de Arthur L’Morte de Arthur Geoffrey Chaucer Geoffrey Chaucer
The Renaissance The Renaissance Years: 1485-1660Years: 1485-1660
Content: Content: world view shifts from religion and after life to world view shifts from religion and after life to one stressing the human life on earth one stressing the human life on earth popular theme: development of human potential popular theme: development of human potential popular theme: many aspects of love explored popular theme: many aspects of love explored unrequited love unrequited love constant love constant love timeless love timeless love courtly love courtly love love subject to change love subject to change
Style/Genres: Style/Genres: poetry poetry sonnet sonnet drama drama written in verse written in verse supported by royalty supported by royalty tragedies, comedies, histories tragedies, comedies, histories metaphysical poetry metaphysical poetry elaborate and unexpected metaphors called conceits elaborate and unexpected metaphors called conceits
Effect: Effect: commoners welcomed at some play productions (like commoners welcomed at some play productions (like ones at the Globe) while conservatives try to close ones at the Globe) while conservatives try to close the theaters on grounds that they promote brazen the theaters on grounds that they promote brazen behaviors behaviors not all middle-class embrace the metaphysical poets and not all middle-class embrace the metaphysical poets and their abstract conceits their abstract conceits
Historical Context: Historical Context: War of Roses ends in 1485 and political stability arrives War of Roses ends in 1485 and political stability arrives Printing press helps stabilize English as a language and Printing press helps stabilize English as a language and allows more people to read a variety of literature allows more people to read a variety of literature Economy changes from farm-based to one of Economy changes from farm-based to one of international trade international trade
Key Literature/Authors:Key Literature/Authors:
William Shakespeare William Shakespeare John DonneJohn DonneCavalier PoetsCavalier PoetsMetaphysical Poets Metaphysical Poets Christopher MarloweChristopher MarloweAndrew MarvellAndrew Marvell
Neoclassical PeriodNeoclassical Period(The Restoration)(The Restoration)Years: 1660-1798 Years: 1660-1798
Content:Content:emphasis on reason and logic emphasis on reason and logic stresses harmony, stability, wisdom stresses harmony, stability, wisdom Locke: a social contract exists between the government and the Locke: a social contract exists between the government and the people. The government governs guaranteeing “natural rights” of people. The government governs guaranteeing “natural rights” of life, liberty, and property life, liberty, and property Style/Genres: Style/Genres: satire: uses irony and exaggeration to poke fun at human faults satire: uses irony and exaggeration to poke fun at human faults and foolishness in order toand foolishness in order to correct human behavior correct human behavior poetry poetry essays essays letters, diaries, biographies letters, diaries, biographies novels novels
Effect:Effect:emphasis on the individual emphasis on the individual belief that man is basically evil belief that man is basically evil approach to life: “the world as it should be” approach to life: “the world as it should be”
Historical Context: Historical Context: 50% of the men are functionally literate (a dramatic rise) 50% of the men are functionally literate (a dramatic rise) Fenced enclosures of land cause demise of traditional Fenced enclosures of land cause demise of traditional village life village life Factories begin to spring up as industrial revolution Factories begin to spring up as industrial revolution begins begins Impoverished masses begin to grow as farming life Impoverished masses begin to grow as farming life declines and factories build declines and factories build Coffee houses—where educated men spend evenings Coffee houses—where educated men spend evenings with literary and political associates with literary and political associates
Key Literature/Authors:Key Literature/Authors:
Alexander PopeAlexander Pope
Daniel DefoeDaniel Defoe
Jonathan SwiftJonathan Swift
Samuel JohnsonSamuel Johnson
John BunyanJohn Bunyan
Romanticism Romanticism Years: 1798 – 1832Years: 1798 – 1832
Content:Content:
human knowledge consists of impressions human knowledge consists of impressions and ideas formed in the individual’s mindand ideas formed in the individual’s mind
introduction of gothic elements and introduction of gothic elements and terror/horror stories and novels terror/horror stories and novels
in nature one can find comfort and peace in nature one can find comfort and peace that the man-made urbanized towns and that the man-made urbanized towns and factory environments cannot offerfactory environments cannot offer
Style/Genres: Style/Genres:
poetry poetry
lyrical ballads lyrical ballads
Effects: Effects:
evil attributed to society not to human natureevil attributed to society not to human nature
human beings are basically goodhuman beings are basically good
movement of protest: a desire for personal movement of protest: a desire for personal freedomfreedom
children seen as hapless victims of poverty children seen as hapless victims of poverty and exploitationand exploitation
Historical Context: Historical Context:
Napoleon rises to power in France and Napoleon rises to power in France and opposes England militarily and economically opposes England militarily and economically
gas lamps developed gas lamps developed
philosophy that government should NOT philosophy that government should NOT interfere with private enterpriseinterfere with private enterprise
middle class gains representation in the middle class gains representation in the British parliamentBritish parliament
Railroads begin to run Railroads begin to run
Key Literature/Authors: Key Literature/Authors:
Novelists: Jane Austen, Mary Shelley Novelists: Jane Austen, Mary Shelley
Poets: Robert Burns, William Blake, Poets: Robert Burns, William Blake, William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Lord Byron, Percy Shelley, Coleridge, Lord Byron, Percy Shelley, John KeatsJohn Keats
Victorian Period Victorian Period Years: 1832-1900 Years: 1832-1900
Content:Content:conflict between those in power and the common masses of laborers and conflict between those in power and the common masses of laborers and the poor the poor
shocking life of sweatshops and urban poor is highlighted in literature to shocking life of sweatshops and urban poor is highlighted in literature to insist on reform insist on reform
country versus city lifecountry versus city life
sexual discretion (or lack of it) sexual discretion (or lack of it)
strained coincidencesstrained coincidences
romantic trianglesromantic triangles
heroines in physical dangerheroines in physical danger
aristocratic villainsaristocratic villains
misdirected lettersmisdirected letters
bigamous marriages bigamous marriages
Genres/Styles:Genres/Styles:
novel becomes popular for first time; mass produced for novel becomes popular for first time; mass produced for the first timethe first time
bildungsroman: “coming of age”bildungsroman: “coming of age”
political novelspolitical novels
detective novels: (Sherlock Holmes)detective novels: (Sherlock Holmes)
serialized novelsserialized novels
elegies elegies
poetry: easier to understand poetry: easier to understand
dramatic monologuesdramatic monologues
drama: comedies of mannersdrama: comedies of manners
magazines offer stories to the massesmagazines offer stories to the masses
Effect:Effect:
literature begins to reach the masses literature begins to reach the masses
Historical Context:Historical Context:
paper becomes cheap; magazines and paper becomes cheap; magazines and novels cheap to mass produce novels cheap to mass produce
unprecedented growth of industry and unprecedented growth of industry and business in Britainbusiness in Britain
unparalleled dominance of nations, unparalleled dominance of nations, economies and trade abroadeconomies and trade abroad
Key Literature/Authors:Key Literature/Authors:
Charles DickensCharles Dickens
Thomas HardyThomas Hardy
Rudyard KiplingRudyard Kipling
Robert Louis StevensonRobert Louis Stevenson
George EliotGeorge Eliot
Oscar WildeOscar Wilde
Alfred Lord TennysonAlfred Lord Tennyson
Charles DarwinCharles Darwin
Charlotte BronteCharlotte Bronte
Robert BrowningRobert Browning
Modern/Post Modern Period of Modern/Post Modern Period of LiteratureLiterature
Years: 1900-1980Years: 1900-1980Content:Content:
lonely individual fighting to find peace and comfort in a lonely individual fighting to find peace and comfort in a world that has lost its absolute values and traditions world that has lost its absolute values and traditions
man is nothing except what he makes of himself man is nothing except what he makes of himself
a belief in situational ethics—no absolute values. a belief in situational ethics—no absolute values. Decisions are based on the situation one is involved in at Decisions are based on the situation one is involved in at the moment the moment
mixing of fantasy with nonfiction; blurs lines of reality for mixing of fantasy with nonfiction; blurs lines of reality for reader reader
loss of the hero in literatureloss of the hero in literature
destruction made possible by technology destruction made possible by technology
Genres/Styles: Genres/Styles:
poetry: free versepoetry: free verse
epiphanies begin to appear in literature epiphanies begin to appear in literature
speeches speeches
memoir memoir
NovelsNovels
stream of consciousness stream of consciousness
detached, unemotional, humorlessdetached, unemotional, humorless
present tensepresent tense
magic realism magic realism
Effect:Effect:
an approach to life: “Seize life for the an approach to life: “Seize life for the moment and get all you can out of it.” moment and get all you can out of it.”
Historical Context: Historical Context:
British Empire loses 1 million soldiers to British Empire loses 1 million soldiers to World War I World War I
Winston Churchill leads Britain through Winston Churchill leads Britain through WW II, and the Germans bomb England WW II, and the Germans bomb England directly directly
British colonies demand independence British colonies demand independence
Key Literature/AuthorsKey Literature/Authors
James JoyceJames Joyce
Joseph ConradJoseph Conrad
D.H. LawrenceD.H. Lawrence
Graham GreeneGraham Greene
Dylan ThomasDylan Thomas
Nadine GordimerNadine Gordimer
George OrwellGeorge Orwell
William Butler YeatsWilliam Butler Yeats
Bernard ShawBernard Shaw
Contemporary Period of Contemporary Period of LiteratureLiterature
(Post Modern Period Continued)(Post Modern Period Continued)1980-Present 1980-Present
Content:Content:
concern with connections between people concern with connections between people
exploring interpretations of the pastexploring interpretations of the past
open-mindedness and courage that open-mindedness and courage that comes from being an outsidercomes from being an outsider
escaping those ways of living that blind escaping those ways of living that blind and dull the human spiritand dull the human spirit
Genres/Styles:Genres/Styles:
all genres representedall genres represented
fictional confessional/diaries fictional confessional/diaries
50% of contemporary fiction is written in 50% of contemporary fiction is written in the first person the first person
narratives: both fiction and nonfiction narratives: both fiction and nonfiction
emotion-provokingemotion-provoking
humorous ironyhumorous irony
storytelling emphasizedstorytelling emphasized
autobiographical essaysautobiographical essays
mixing of fantasy with nonfiction; blurs mixing of fantasy with nonfiction; blurs lines of reality for readerlines of reality for reader
Effect: Effect:
too soon to tell too soon to tell
Historical Context: Historical Context:
a world growing smaller due to ease of a world growing smaller due to ease of communications between societies communications between societies
a world launching a new beginning of a a world launching a new beginning of a century and a millennium century and a millennium
media culture interprets values and events media culture interprets values and events for individualsfor individuals
Key Literature/Authors: Key Literature/Authors:
Seamus HeaneySeamus Heaney
Doris LessingDoris Lessing
Louis de BernieresLouis de Bernieres
Kazuo IshiguroKazuo Ishiguro
Tom StoppardTom Stoppard
Salman RushdieSalman Rushdie
John Le CarreJohn Le Carre
Ken FollettKen Follett