HANOI OPEN UNIVERSITY MID -TERM TEST ON ENGLISH AND AMERICAN LITERATURE FOR STUDENTS OF ENGLISH (No 2) Subject Code: EN16 Full name: ……………………………… Date of birth: ……………………………… Group: …………………………………… I Answer the following questions: (50 points ) What three languages were spoken in England in the 11th - 13th centuries, and whom were they spoken by? Mention some reasons What is a romance, a fabliaux, a bestiaria? In what language were they written? (The file sent will be named after each student’s name Plagiarism will lead to failure) In the 11th - 13th centuries, the three main languages spoken in England were Old English, Old Norse, and Latin Old English: This language was spoken primarily by the Anglo-Saxons who were the native inhabitants of England It was the dominant language before the Norman Conquest in 1066 Old English had Germanic roots and was the language used in literary works such as Beowulf and The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle Old Norse: Old Norse was spoken by the Scandinavian Vikings who invaded and settled in parts of England during this period These Norse settlers brought their language with them, and it heavily influenced the English language, especially in areas where they had a significant presence Latin: Latin was the language of the Church and was used for religious and scholarly purposes The Church played a crucial role in medieval England, and Latin was the language of religious texts, theological discussions, and education Reasons for the diversity of languages: The presence of different languages in England during this time can be attributed to the historical events such as the Viking invasions, the Norman Conquest, and the influence of the Church These events led to language contact and linguistic changes, shaping the linguistic landscape of medieval England 2 Romance, fabliaux, and bestiaria are three different types of literary genres, and they were written in various languages: Romance: A romance is a genre of medieval literature that typically involves tales of chivalry, heroism, and love These narratives often follow the adventures of knights and their quests The most famous example of a romance is "Le Morte d'Arthur" by Sir Thomas Malory, written in Middle English Fabliaux: Fabliaux are short, humorous, and often bawdy narratives that originated in medieval France They were written in Old French and were known for their comedic and satirical elements, often poking fun at human vices and social norms Bestiaria: Bestiaria refers to a collection of fables or tales featuring animals as characters, each imparting moral lessons These stories were popular during the Middle Ages and were often written in Latin The diversity of literary genres and languages during this period reflects the cultural richness and intellectual vibrancy of medieval Europe Different languages were used to convey various types of stories, reflecting the unique literary traditions and influences of the time II Comments (50 points ) Write what you know about the life and works of Geoffrey Chaucer - The founder of English realism Geoffrey Chaucer, often referred to as the "father of English literature," was a prominent English poet, philosopher, bureaucrat, and diplomat who lived from approximately 1343 to 1400 He is best known for his magnum opus, "The Canterbury Tales," which is considered a masterpiece of Middle English literature Chaucer was born into a prosperous merchant family in London, and he received a good education, gaining proficiency in several languages, including Latin, French, and Italian He held various government positions, serving as a courtier, customs official, and diplomat throughout his life His experiences in these roles exposed him to a diverse range of people, which influenced the rich characterization and vivid portrayal of various social classes in his literary works "The Canterbury Tales" is his most famous work, written in the late 14th century It is a collection of stories told by a group of pilgrims traveling to the shrine of Thomas Becket in Canterbury Each pilgrim tells a tale, providing Chaucer with a framework to present a wide array of characters from different walks of life Through these tales, Chaucer explored themes of love, morality, social satire, and human nature, showcasing his remarkable ability to capture the complexities of human behavior and society Chaucer's writing style is characterized by its realism and vividness He was among the first English poets to write extensively in the vernacular Middle English rather than in Latin or French, making his works more accessible to a broader audience This decision had a significant impact on the development of the English language and literature Apart from "The Canterbury Tales," Chaucer's other notable works include "Troilus and Criseyde," a tragic love story based on the ancient Troy legend, and "The Book of the Duchess," an elegy mourning the death of Blanche, Duchess of Lancaster Geoffrey Chaucer's contributions to English literature are immeasurable His works not only laid the foundation for English realism but also played a crucial role in elevating English as a literary language His influence on subsequent generations of writers is evident, and his legacy continues to be celebrated as a towering figure in the history of English literature Một số yêu cầu: + Sinh viên nộp file word lên hệ thống + Ghi rõ mã đề làm Chú ý: + Chế tài xử lý phát có chép ( VD: phát chép làm sinh viên không công nhận nhận điểm 0….) + Giảng viên trao đổi, nhận xét góp ý cho làm sinh viên diễn đàn buổi Vclass (SV tham gia lớp Vclass đầy đủ để giải đáp)