The figure of man in the English literature

1. The figure of man in the English literature

2. The Anglo - Saxon period →Epic Poetry (paganism) • The Middle Ages →Ballads (Christianity) • Renaissance →Sonnets (human being → centre) Shakespeare

3. Text: Beowulf Kind of man: the hero Characterization Values - Loyalty - Courage - Generosity Qualities - Power - Uniqueness - Strength Qualities to become a hero - to die for your ideas Language used - use of positive connotations (adjectives that underline he is unique ) - use of alitterations - simple language

4. Text: Lord Randal Kind of man • lord (aristocrat) • son (overprotected by his mother) Activity • hunting Quality • moral integrity (tempted by the woman) Language • use of alitteration • use of repetition • simple language

5. Text: sonnets Kind of man - corteous man (aristocrat) Characterization - he loves a woman represents desire - he uses the lady to reach God Language - refined language ↓ sonnets ↓ addressed to intellectuals ↓ written at court (the place of culture)

6. Text Shakespearian sonnet Kind of man • corteous man Characterization • a man with the features of the corteous code (fair hair and eyes, beautiful) • loves an unusual woman ↓ dark hair and eye ordinary Language • refined language

7. The relationship with God influenced literature In the anglo-saxon period the religion didn’t influence letterature because there was the paganism, a pragmatic religion. People prayed God only for necessity. In Beowulf people thanked God for that easy crossing on a calm sea TheMiddle Ages priviledged the religious code: all people actions were aimed at reaching God. In the ballad the woman was a tempter for man’sintegrity and he couldn’t reach God. In the Renaissance developed the study of human being instead God The sonneteer wrote about some physical woman’s characters