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A Brief History of the English Language

A Brief History of the English Language. 5 th Century AD. Old English (450-1100 AD). Middle English (1100-1500). Modern English: (Early 1500-1800; Late 1800-Present. What the heck is this???. P= th (with) ð= th (then) æ = a (hat) sc = sh (sheep) c = k (kin)

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A Brief History of the English Language

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  1. A Brief History of the English Language

  2. 5th Century AD

  3. Old English (450-1100 AD)

  4. Middle English (1100-1500)

  5. Modern English: (Early 1500-1800; Late 1800-Present

  6. What the heck is this??? P= th (with) ð= th (then)æ = a (hat)sc = sh (sheep)c = k (kin) cw = qu (quick)costnudge = temptationrice = kingdom Geweorþe = worthy Fæderure, ðuðeeart on heofenum, siðinnamagehalgod; to-becumeðin rice; geweorþeðinwilla on eorðan swaswa on heofenum. Urnegedæghwamlicanhlafsyle us to-deag, and forgyf us uregyltas, swaswa we forgifaþurumgyltendum, ane ne gelædeðu us on costnunge, ac alys us of yfle. 1. List all the words you recognize that have come down to Modern English almost unchanged?2. What words have been lost completely?

  7. Middle English Ourefadir that art in heuenes, halewid be thi name; thikyndoom come to; be thiwille don in erthe as in heuene: gyue to us this daioure breed ouerothirsubstaunce; and forgyue to us ouredettis, as we forgyuen to ouregettouris; and lede us not in to temptacioun, but delyuere us fro yuel.

  8. Qualities of an Epic

  9. Definition… • A long narrative poem on a great and serious subject • related in an elevated style • centered on a heroic or quasi-divine figure on whose actions depends the fate of a tribe, a nation, or the human race. • The traditional epics were shaped by a literary artist from historical and legendary materials which had developed in the oral traditions of his nation during a period of expansion and warfare.

  10. The Epic Hero… • The hero is a figure of great national or even cosmic importance, usually the ideal man of his culture. • He often has superhuman or divine traits.  • He has an imposing physical stature and is greater in all ways than the common man.

  11. Setting The setting is vast in scope. It covers great geographical distances, perhaps even visiting the underworld, other worlds, other times.

  12. The Plot • The action consists of deeds of valor or superhuman courage (especially in battle). • Supernatural forces interest themselves in the action and intervene at times. The intervention of the gods is called "machinery." From this we get the term “deus ex machina”.

  13. The writing… • The style of writing is elevated, even ceremonial. • Often opens by stating the theme of the epic. • In Greek epics, the writer invokes a Muse, one of the nine daughters of Zeus.  The poet prays to the muses to provide him with divine inspiration to tell the story of a great hero. • Catalogs and genealogies are given. These long lists of objects, places, and people place the finite action of the epic within a broader, universal context. Oftentimes, the poet is also paying homage to the ancestors of audience members.

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