ENGLISH & AMERICAN

LITERATURE
INTRODUCTION
1) Aim
• A brief history English & American Literature
• The development of literature
• The major literary trends
• Major authors & their major works
2) Content
• History of Literature
• Analysis of major works by major authors
INTRODUCTION
3) Requirement
• Attendance: Medical reason allowed (with document)
• Read materials in advance
• Class discussion: Make your voice heard!
• Presentation: Group of 2-3 students – List of topics
4) Grading
• Presentation: 30%
• Quizzes (Week 2-4): 10%
• Final test: 60%
READING LIST
v Alexander, M. (2000). A history of English literature. Palgrave: New York.
v Bode, C. (1995). Highlights of American literature. U.S. Information Agency:
Washington.
v George Kearns et al. (1990) Understanding literature. Glencoe McGraw-Hill.
v Le Huy Loc & Nguyen Hoang Linh (2005). A course in American literature: Selected
works for study and discussion. Ho Chi Minh National University: Ho Chi Minh city.
v Nguyen Kim Loan (1998). History of English literature. Education Publisher: Hanoi.
v Nguyen Xuan Thom (1997). A history of English and American literature. The Gioi
Publishers: Hanoi.
v Thornley, G. C. & Roberts, G. (1998). An outline of English literature. Longman: Essex,
England.
v Sanders, A. (1996). The short Oxford history of English literature. Clarendon Press:
Oxford.
 15TH -17
CENTURY
TH
ENGLISH RENAISSANCE
RENAISSANCE
1) The term
Renaissance = Re + naissance
• Re: (Latin) again, back to the original
• Naissance: (Latin) nasci: be born
Rebirth
“The discovery of the world and of man”
CONTEXT
1. Political & social changes
• Feudalism since Norman times
(1 st century) declined
• Hundred Years War (1337-1453)
England was “between 2 worlds,
one is dead, the other powerless to be
born”
• Economic development, population
growth, consciousness of national life
CONTEXT
2) Religious conflict
• Roman Catholic church dominated Great Britain
since 2nd century
Bible written in Latin vulgate → priests interpreted
• Protestantism appeared in 16th century
Bible written in English → common people interpreted
Differences in beliefs, blind faith
CONTEXT
3. Scientific development
• Astronomy: Galilei, Bruno, Copernicus
• Geography: The New World (America) – Columbus;
The first circumnavigation of the Earth – Magellan
• Printing press - Caxton
RENAISSANCE LITERATURE
3 periods
1. Early Renaissance ( 15th century)
2. Renaissance Peak (16th century)
3. Late Renaissance ( 1st half of 17th century)
EARLY RENAISSANCE
1) The introduction of sonnet
• Wyatt & Surrey
• A poem – a single theme
• Structure: 14 lines connected metrically by an
interlocking scheme
• Stanzas: An octave (8 lines) + a sestet (6 lines)
OR 3 quartrain (4 lines) + a couplet (2 lines)
EARLY RENAISSANCE
2) Humanism
Moral & political views based on actual, worldly existence
of Man, his development, life and happiness
Example: Utopia (Thomas Moore) - fictional, satirical
• the political system is democratic
• the labor is the main duty
• all the citizens are equal in rights
→ Man-centered society
RENAISSANCE PEAK
William Shakespeare (1564-1616) – The idol of Renaissance age
• Poetic genius with a practical sense of the theatre - combined
• Famous works: 1589 – 1613
• Poet (sonnet)
• Playwright
o Comedy: Comedy of errors, Much Ado about Nothing
o History: Henry, King John
o Tragedy: Hamlet, King Lear, Romeo & Juliet
LATE RENAISSANCE
After Shakespeare’s death, Renaissance in England was on a
decline
• Humanism → Puritanism (bourgeoisie) ➣ English Bourgeoisie
revolution
Result: Royal power (monarchy) + Parliament
LATE RENAISSANCE
John Milton (1608-1674)
• Famous work: Paradise’s lost
• Characters: God, Satan, Adam, Eva
• Milton sympathized with Adam & Eva
• Milton expressed faith in Man