Pre-Renaissance period

Beowulf : the first English national epic

I. The position of the Beowulf:

the first English national epic

II.The story: (to simply narrate it )

Beowulf←→ Grendel and his mother

Beowulf←→ Fire dragon

III. Its artistic features

1. I t’s a 3183-line verse written in true epic style and in Old English;

2. the most evident feature: the use of alliteration; (refer to the history of literature By Liu Bingshan,)

3. to use compound-words to serve as metaphors;

4. the use of understatements: the impression and a color of humor.

△5. the mixing of pagan elements with Christian colouring.

Geoffrey Chaucer

I. life :

1. He was born in a wine merchant family in 1340;

2. His early life as a page and his marriage acquainted him with knowledge about upper class;

3.he was buried in Westminster Abbey, thus founding the “Poets Corner”.

II. His Work: The Canterbury Tales

The Canterbury Tales

The General Prologue

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