History of old english and american literature
•Download as PPT, PDF•
15 likes•9,590 views
This document provides a summary of the history of Old English and American literature from the 5th century to the 20th century. It outlines the major periods and genres of literature in Old English, including epic poetry, riddles, and manuscripts from the 5th-10th centuries. Representative authors from this period included Bede, Alfred the Great, and Caedmon. The works of Beowulf and Caedmon's Hymn are highlighted. The document then briefly summarizes the Middle English period and literature of the 16th-17th centuries, noting key authors such as Chaucer and works like Canterbury Tales.
More Related Content
What's hot
What's hot (20)
Viewers also liked
Viewers also liked (19)
Similar to History of old english and american literature
Similar to History of old english and american literature (20)
More from imkaelah
More from imkaelah (8)
Recently uploaded
Recently uploaded (20)
History of old english and american literature
- 1. History of Old English and American Literature
- 2. Old English Literature • 5th Century-1066 (Anglo-Saxon Literature/Old English Literature) • Middle English Period • 16th Century (The Renaissance) • 17th Century • 18th Century (Restoration) • 19th Century (Century Drama) • 20th Century (Modern English Literature)
- 3. 5th Century-1066 (Anglo-Saxon Literature/Old English Literature) • Genres (Epic Poetry, hagiography, Bible translations, sermons, riddles) • Four Manuscripts (Caedmon’s Hymn, Vercelli Book, Exeter Book and Nowell’s Codex) • Poem (generation to generation through oral tradition read with accompaniment of the harp) • Caesura – frequent pauses in each verse • Alliteration – represents meaning more than the literal • Kennings - metaphor
- 4. Kennings • Battle: the storm of swords • Blood: fighting gear/battle gear-armor, battle sweat • Dragon: the twilight spoiler • Lord/King: the protector of warriors, ring giver, dispenser of treasure • Queen: The peace bringer among nations • Sword: the battle lightning
- 5. Representative Writer/Works • The Venerable Bede – A monk – Greatest Anglo Saxon Scholar – Wrote “Ecclesiastical History of the English People” – Father of English History • Alfred the Great – King of Southern Anglo-Saxon Kingdom – Encouraged scholarly translations from Latin into Old English • Caedmon – Gift of poetic song – Caedmon’s Hymn (9 line alliterative praise poem for God)
- 6. Best Literary Works • Caedmon’s Hymn • Beowulf – The national epic of England – Most notable example of the earliest English poetry – Blends Christianity and Paganism – Beowulf’s 3 fierce fights (Grendell, Grendell’s mother and the Dragon)
- 7. Middle English Period • Romances – rank among the most popular literary forms – Rambling love stories presenting knight fights and courtly love • Religion dramas – Became popular – Short plays in religious festivals – (Miracle plays, Mystery plays and Morality Plays)
- 8. Representative Writer/Works • Pearl Poet – Best remembered on Sir Gawain and the Knight – Wrote the best example of Romance in middle ages • Geoffrey Chaucer – World’s greatest storyteller – Canterbury Tales • Sir Thomas Mallory – Le Morte d’ Arthur (Arthurian Legends)
- 9. Best Literary Works • Sir Gawain and the Green Knight • Everyman – Best morality play – Characters (personification of abstraction) • Everyman • Death • Cousins • Goods • Good Deeds • Fellowships
- 10. 16th Century (The Renaissance) • Renaissance (Re-birth) • Literature came into full bloom • Shakespearean Era/ Elizabethan Era