A Short History of English Literature
Chapter I. The Anglo-Saxon Period (the earliest time---1066)
1. Social background: the making of England; the invasion of Roman Empire in 4th AD ; the attacks of Danish Vikings, etc
2. Literature: Beowulf , the earliest literature, the national epic of the Anglo-Saxon, one of the striking features - the use of alliteration
*epic------a long narrative poem in elevated style presenting characters of high position in a series of adventures which form an organic whole. The earliest epic: Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey
*alliteration------In alliterative verse, certain accented words in a line begin with the same consonant sound.
Chapter II. The Medieval Period (1066---15th century)
1. Social background: the Norman conquest under William, Duke of Normandy, the battle of Hastings in 1066; the mark of establishment of feudalism
2. Literature: Langland ; English Ballad; Romance; Chaucer
*Langland------“Piers the Plowman” and allegory
*allegory------a form of extended