【正文】 ong narrative poem on a great and serious subject, told in an elevated style, and centered on a heroic or quasiheroic divine figure on whose actions depends the fate of a tribe, a nation, or the human race. 2. Three Episodes of Beowulf ? the fight with the monster, Grendel ? the fight with Grendel39。 3. The Song of Beowulf。 it is the history, the only history of the human soul. Four Genres of Literature: Fiction: refers to novels and short stories. Usually long, but not very difficult. The students can read it as extensive readings. But they should pay more attention to the themes, characters and styles Poetry: usually difficult because its language is pithy and its implication is rich. And the word order is not normal. The students should learn it as intensive readings. First, try to know the word order and the sentence structure, get the literal meaning, then go deeper to explore its implication. Essay: short and terse, rich in implication, but its language is easier than that of poetry. The students should read carefully, paying more attention to the important statements. Drama: its remarkable feature in language is colloquialism. The students should pay attention to the plot, theme, character, dramatic effect, dramatic conflict as well as the speech. Two Branches of Literature: Targets of the Course: ? The History of English Literature: Through the study of The History of English Literature, the students are supposed to obtain some basic and important knowledge and information about English Literature and its history. To be more specific: the five major periods of British literature (Renaissance Period, Neoclassical Period, Romantic Period, Victorian Period and Modern Period) and their individual characteristics, master representatives and the masterpieces. Hence the students can obtain some basic knowledge of literary appreciation and criticism. ? Selected Readings in English Literature Through the study of the selected readings from the representative works of some famous writers, the students are supposed to obtain some basic and important knowledge and information about these works and their writers. A. Comprehension is the basic requirement, which. means that the students should have a good understanding of the text, including both the literal meaning of the text and its implications. B. Appreciation is the second level. The students should be able to appreciate the merits of the text. If they can enjoy some beautiful description, or smile at some humorous narration, or get some meaningful enlightenment, then they are appreciating the reading. C. Evaluation: is the highest level, requiring the students to analyze and ment on the text theoretically and systematically. It is quite difficult, but not impossible. In this course, the first and the second levels prehension and appreciation must be achieved. Unit 2 The AngloSaxon Age (449—1066) ? Key Words: AngloSaxon, Epic, Beowulf, AngloSaxon Prose ? Target: This unit introduces the three important conquests in English history and the great epic: The Song of Beowulf. ? Study Points: 1. Three important conquests。 ? Literature as Function (Socrates/Horace/Milton) ? Literature as Expression of Emotions (Keats/Wordsworth) ? Literature as Literature (Poe/Swinburne) Suggested Definition: Literature is a linguistic stylization of experiences lifted from mere bodily response to stimuli, to the plane of imaginative and spiritual (psychological) response. The Value of Literature: (Literature is a reflection of life and a record of human experiences.) ? Art and literature reveal to us the things people treasure and admire, the things people praise and advocate as the true, the good and the beautiful, as well as the things they fear and hate most deeply, the things they denounce and do away with as the false, the evil and the ugly. ? Art and literature are not only something we find desirable and enjoyable。 6. Two Branches of Literature。 4. Importance of literature。 2. The value of literature。Unit 1 Introduction of Literature ? Key Words: Introduction, course, English Literature, history ? Target: This unit is to provide a general introduction to this course: the definition, value, quality, importance。 and to tell the students how to learn this course. ? Study Points: 1. Definition of literature。 3. Basic quality of literature。 5. Four genres of literature。 7. Target of this course 8. The Frame of History of British Literature. Definition of Literature: ? Literature as Mimesis/imitation (Plato/Aristotle/Alexander Pope)。 there are feelings, emotions, and ideas that can not be expressed in any way other than through art and literature. ? Art and literature provide an endless variety of inspiration in addition to enjoyment, for it is the means of making people feel truth and beauty through their senses. ? Literature broadens our perspectives of the world. (. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland) Importance of Literature: ? Literature preserves the ideals of a people—love, faith, duty, friendship, freedom reverence, etc. ? All our arts, our sciences, even our inventions are founded squarely upon ideals. Our whole civilization, our freedom, our progress, our homes, our life rest solidly upon ideals for their foundation. ? Literature is the study of man. It is the written record of man‘s spirit, of his thoughts, emotions, aspirations。 2. The definition of epic。 4. Appreciation. English Literature The History of English Literature Selected Readings in English Literature I. The History of Early Britain 1. A brief history of early Britain The beginning of settlement in Britain took place in about 700 B. C. The early settlers were certain Celticspeaking tribes called Britons, from whom the island got it