Aula 1- Introduction

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FUNDAMENTOS CULTURAIS DA LITERATURA EM LÍNGUA INGLESA
Aula 1: Introduction
INTRODUCTION – AULA1
 FUNDAMENTOS CULTURAIS DA LITERATURA EM LÍNGUA INGLESA
Conteúdo Programático desta aula
To understand the arrival and the victory of the Catholic Church in England
To establish the importance of the Celtic Church ,regarding Christianity, to ordinary people
To analyze the Pagan and Christian elements in the epic poem “Beowulf”
INTRODUCTION – AULA1
 FUNDAMENTOS CULTURAIS DA LITERATURA EM LÍNGUA INGLESA
In this class, we are going to discuss the reasons why while Christianity was long established as the religion of the Britons at the time of the Anglo-Saxon invasion, Christian Britons made little progress in converting the newcomers from their native paganism. Pope Gregory, The Great, sent Augustine, a monk, from Rome to evangelize the Angles. This event is known as the Gregorian mission and is the date the Church of England generally marks the beginning of its formal history. With the help of Christians already residing in Kent, Augustine established his church in Canterbury, the capital of the Kingdom of Kent, and became the first in the series of Archbishops of Canterbury in 598. A later archbishop, the Greek Theodore of Tarsus, also contributed to the organization of Christianity in England.
INTRODUCTION – AULA1
 FUNDAMENTOS CULTURAIS DA LITERATURA EM LÍNGUA INGLESA
	After studying about Christianity in England we are going to analyze Christian and Pagan elements in the epic poem “Beowulf”. It describes the most heroic man of the Anglo-Saxon times. The hero, Beowulf, is a seemingly invincible person with all the extraordinary traits required of a hero. He is able to use his super-human physical strength and courage to put his people before himself. He encounters hideous monsters and the most ferocious of beasts but he never fears the threat of death. His leadership skills are superb and he is even able to boast about all his achievements. Beowulf is the ultimate epic hero who risks his life countless times for immortal glory and for the good of others.
INTRODUCTION – AULA1
 FUNDAMENTOS CULTURAIS DA LITERATURA EM LÍNGUA INGLESA
Let´s take a look at the video Christianity A History “Dark Ages”.
Then, be prepared to answer the following questions: (00:00-04:43)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&feature=endscreen&v=WmVnuQgKhhg 
1- Mark the right statements. One is wrong:
A- The video is a story about
( ) the immigration of new people who created new politics
( ) the difficulty to create a Christian community
( ) the pagan kings who came to Britain
( ) Christianity creating a new vision of nation for England
2- When the Roman Empire collapsed, Christianity was
( ) solid
( ) vulnerable
3- True or False?
Christianity first arrived in Britain from Mediterranean during the Roman Empire. ( )
INTRODUCTION – AULA1
 FUNDAMENTOS CULTURAIS DA LITERATURA EM LÍNGUA INGLESA
When and how did Christianity first reach Britain? 
That is not an easy task to determine how or when Christianity first reached Britain, but it was certainly well before Christianity was accepted by the Roman Emperor Constantine in the early fourth century AD. Christianity became firmly established across Britain in the last hundred years of Roman government, both in Roman controlled areas and beyond.
Let´s take a look at the video and see how they describe the beginnings of Christianity (00:00-01:69)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8fkNVqkOaw 
INTRODUCTION – AULA1
 FUNDAMENTOS CULTURAIS DA LITERATURA EM LÍNGUA INGLESA
How were the Celts influenced by Christianity?
The Celts were driven into the west and north of Britain by the Anglo-Saxon. In the Celtic areas Christianity continued to spread, bringing paganism to an end.
How Christianity was re-established in England?
Pope Gregory the Great sent a monk, Augustine, to re-establish Christianity in England in 597. Augustine went to Canterbury, the capital of the king of Kent. He did so because the king ´s wife came from Europe and was already Christian.
INTRODUCTION – AULA1
 FUNDAMENTOS CULTURAIS DA LITERATURA EM LÍNGUA INGLESA
Who was Augustine?
In 601, Augustine became the first Archbishop of Canterbury. He was very successful because several ruling families in England accepted Christianity. Nevertheless, Augustine and his group of monks were not successful with ordinary people. That can be explained partly because Augustine was interested in establishing Christian authority, and that meant bringing rulers to the new faith.
INTRODUCTION – AULA1
 FUNDAMENTOS CULTURAIS DA LITERATURA EM LÍNGUA INGLESA
Look at this video to know about Augustine.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29292e9HQJU 00:00- 06:00
How did the Celtic Church contribute to the spread of Christianity?
The Celtic Church brought Christianity to the ordinary people of Britain. The Celtic bishops went out from their monasteries of Wales, Ireland and Scotland, walking from village to village teaching Christianity. Although there were differences between Anglo-Saxons and Celts, these bishops seem to have been readily accepted in Anglo-Saxon areas.
INTRODUCTION – AULA1
 FUNDAMENTOS CULTURAIS DA LITERATURA EM LÍNGUA INGLESA
What were the differences between the Roman and the Celtic Churches?
The bishops from the Roman Church lived at the courts of the kings, which they made centers of Church power across England. The Celtic Church was interested in the hearts of ordinary people while the Roman Church was interested in authority and organization. The two churches reached a crisis when they disagreed over the date of Easter. In 603 at the Synod (meeting) of Whitby the king of Northumbria decided to support the Roman Church. The Celtic Church retreated as Rome extended its authority over all Christians, even in Celtic parts of the island.
INTRODUCTION – AULA1
 FUNDAMENTOS CULTURAIS DA LITERATURA EM LÍNGUA INGLESA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxmgc69zfU
In this video we are going to hear about the conflicts between the Roman and the Celtic churches
How did the Church grow ?
England had a fast process to become Christian. By 660 only Sussex and the Isle of Wight resisted the new faith. Twenty years later, English teachers came back to the lands from which the Anglo-Saxons originated, bringing Christianity to much of Germany. Saxon Kings helped the Church to grow, but the Church increased the power of kings as well. Bishops gave kings their support, which made it harder for royal power to be questioned. Kings were blessed because they had “God´s approval”. The value of Church approval was all the greater because uncertainty surrounded the royal succession.
INTRODUCTION – AULA1
 FUNDAMENTOS CULTURAIS DA LITERATURA EM LÍNGUA INGLESA
What were the economical reasons for the Anglo-Saxon kings prefer the Roman Church?
Monasteries were built and villages and towns grew around them and increased local trade. Many bishops and monks in England came from the Frankish lands (France and Germany) and elsewhere. They were invited by English rulers who wished to benefit from closer Church and economic contact with Europe. Most of these bishops and monks seem to have come from churches or monasteries along Europe´s vital trade routes. Close contact with many parts of Europe was encouraged. Besides they all used Latin, the written language of Rome, and this led English to trade with the continent. Trade has grown with the help of increased literacy. Anglo-Saxon England became well known in Europe for its exports of woolen goods, cheese, hunting dogs, pottery and metal goods. It imported wine, fish, pepper, jewellery and wheel-made pottery.
INTRODUCTION – AULA1
 FUNDAMENTOS CULTURAIS DA LITERATURA EM LÍNGUA INGLESA
How did the Vikings settle in Britain?
In 865 the Vikings invaded Britain once it was clear that the quarrelling Anglo-Saxon kingdoms could not keep them out. This time they came to conquer and to settle. The Vikings quickly accepted Christianity and did not disturb the local
population.
INTRODUCTION – AULA1
 FUNDAMENTOS CULTURAIS DA LITERATURA EM LÍNGUA INGLESA
What was the role of King Alfred?
Ten years later, king Alfred from Wessex managed to unite the Saxons against the Vikings. After some serious defeats Alfred won a decisive battle in 878, and eight years later he captured London. He made a treaty with the Vikings: Viking rule was recognized in the east and north of England, in the rest of the country he was recognized as the king of England. During his struggle against the Danes, he had built walled settlements to keep them out. These were called burghs. They become prosperous market towns, and the word, now usually spelt borough, is one of the commonest ending to place names, as well as the name of the unit of municipal or town administration today.
INTRODUCTION – AULA1
 FUNDAMENTOS CULTURAIS DA LITERATURA EM LÍNGUA INGLESA
What´s Beowulf, the poem?
Beowulf, is the greatest piece of literature to come down to us from the Anglo-Saxons. Much that we would like to know about it is lost in the distant past and will probably never be discovered: Who wrote it? When? Where? Scholars have found enough evidence in the poem itself that it was composed by a single gifted poet some time during the seventh or eighth century. The existing manuscript of a alter date is no doubt a copy of an earlier one. The author was perhaps a Christianized West Saxon who drew his story from old pagan legends brought over from the continent; or perhaps monks substituted Christian references for pagan ones when they copied the manuscript. The character of Beowulf seems to be a blending of a historical figure with various mythical heroes of an earlier day.
INTRODUCTION – AULA1
 FUNDAMENTOS CULTURAIS DA LITERATURA EM LÍNGUA INGLESA
Why is Beowulf considered a hero?
Beowulf is the hero of the story. Strong, fearless, an advocate of freedom and justice, he typifies the Anglo-Saxon ideals of personal conduct. The villains are the firedrake, or dragon from the dark caves, and the cannibal-ogre Grendel and his mother who live in the miasma of swamps in the land of mists and cold nights. The tone of the poem is dark, melancholic, and austere. In simple, direct , majestic verse, a literary legacy from the earliest writers of English poetry, an exciting story is told of adventure and heroism.
INTRODUCTION – AULA1
 FUNDAMENTOS CULTURAIS DA LITERATURA EM LÍNGUA INGLESA
Which cultural elements can be found in Beowulf?
In the story of Beowulf, there is a noticeable struggle between Christianity and Paganism, and the characters personal battle between the two.   Throughout the story the characters display actions that lead towards Paganism and Christianity.   Contrary to Pagan belief Beowulf is seen as the epitome of good and beneficent to all of mankind.   In Beowulf, the people showed their faith and love in God, however due to horrific events, paranoia caused them to look for a quick fix and turns to Paganism. The pagan elements in the epic poem Beowulf are evident in the characters superhuman 
INTRODUCTION – AULA1
 FUNDAMENTOS CULTURAIS DA LITERATURA EM LÍNGUA INGLESA
personifications. Beowulf is depicted as a superhero. Beowulf takes it upon himself to save the Danes from Grendel. In his battle with Grendel, Beowulf chooses not to use weapons; he relies on his super strength. During the fight, Beowulf's strength takes over, and Beowulf wrestles with Grendel until he is able to rip one of the monster's arms out of its socket. 
The grisly monster got his death wound:
A huge split opened under his shoulder;
Crunched the socket, cracked the sinews,
Glory great was given to Beowulf.
But Grendel escaped with his gaping wound,
O´er the dreary moor his dark den sought, 
 
INTRODUCTION – AULA1
 FUNDAMENTOS CULTURAIS DA LITERATURA EM LÍNGUA INGLESA
Crawled to his lair. ´Twas clear to him then,
The count of his hours to end had come,
Done were his days. The Danes were glad,
The hard fight was over, they had 
Cleared was the hall, ´twas cleansed by the hero
With keen heart and courage, who came from afar.