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黑龙江大学外语部应用提高管理中心
欧洲文化入门课程教案
European Culture: an Introduction
Foreign Language Teaching and Research Department
Heilongjiang University
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黑龙江大学外语部应用提高管理中心
欧洲文化入门课程教案
Chapter One
Greek Culture and Roman Culture
I. Teaching Objectives
On completion of this Chapter, students should be able to:
1. get to know the historical context of ancient Greece and ancient Rome
2. be clear about the great achievements of ancient Greeks and Romans in various
fields such as literature, philosophy, science and art.
3. understand the significance and impact of Greek culture and Roman culture.
II. The Points to Be Highlighted
1. Democracy of ancient Greece.
2. 3 styles of columns in ancient Greek architecture.
3. The greatest names in European philosophy
---- Socrates, Plato and Aristotle
4. Impact
(1). Spirit of Innovation
(2). Supreme Achievement
(3). Lasting effect
III. Teaching Approaches
1. Pair/Group work
4. Communicative approach
2. Discussion
5. Questions and answer
3 Task-based approach
IV. Background Information
1. the Parthenon (447—432 B.C.) --- the most important of ancient Greek Temples
the finest monument of Greek architecture and sculpture in more than 2000 years
V. Teaching Procedures and Contents
1. Lead-in (or) Warming-up
How much do you know about Greece (ancient or modern)?
Do you know when the first Modern Olympic Games was held?
Homer was famous for two epics. Do you know what they are?
There are many famous philosophers in ancient Greece. Could you name some of
them?
You must have ever heard of the following sentence, “Give me a place to stand, and I
will move the world.” Do you know who said it?
2. Specific Contents
Greek Culture
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A.
The Historical Context
(1). 1200 B.C. the war of Troy
a war was fought between Greece and Troy, ending in the destruction of Troy.
th
(2). 5 century B.C. Greek culture reached a high point of development.
--- successful repulse of the Persian invasion
--- the establishment of democracy
--- the flourishing of science, philosophy, literature, art and historical writing in Athens
The century closed with civil war between Athens and Sparta
(3). In the second half of the 4th century B.C.
all Greece was brought under the rule of Alexander, king of Macedon
Greek culture was spread
(4). In 146 B.C. the Romans conquered Greece
B. Social and Political Structure
Politics --- Athens was a democracy
Democracy means “exercise of power by the whole people.”
But “the whole people” the Greeks meant only the adult male citizens.
Economy --- the economy of Athens rested on an immense amount of slave labour.
Farm, workshop, mine
There was harsh exploitation in Greek society
Sports --- Greeks loved sports
A big festival on Olympus Mount once every 4 year ---- Olympic Games
Modern Olympic Games revived in 1896 顾拜旦(法)
C. Homer ( probably lived around 700 B.C.)
Two epics: Iliad
Odysseus
They are about great men and wars of a remoter age, probably in the period 1200—1100 B.C
D. Lyric Poetry
Sappho (about 612—580 B.C.) woman poet
She is noted for her love poems of passionate intensity, some of which are addressed to
women. She was considered the most important lyric poet of ancient Greece. Many Greek and
Latin writers know nearly all her poems by heart. But in the 10th century the Christian church
burned her works. Only fragments remain. Two samples
(1)
I could not hope
To touch the sky
With my two arms
(2)
In gold sandals
Dawn like a thief
Fell upon me
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Pindar (about 518—438 B.C.)
He is best known for his odes celebrating the victories at the athletic games, such as the 14
Olympian odes. Pindar also had imitators, such as the 17th-century English poet John Dryden.
E. Drama
Origin: perform plays at religious festivals.
Develop: in the 5th century B.C. a powerful drama developed
States: open-air theatres, audience sat on stone benches and looked down at the stage from three
sides, actors wore masks
 Tragedy
Aeschylus (525 — 456 B.C.)
Works: Prometheus Bound, Persians, and Agamemnon
In these plays there are only two actors and a chorus. Yet they manage to stir and move the
audience deeply by showing heroes and heroines in complicated human situations, out of which
there is no escape but death. The play are written in verse.
Aeschylus is noted for his vivid character portrayal and majestic poetry
Sophocles (496 --- 406 B.C.)
Works: Oedipus the King, Electra《厄勒克特拉》, and Antigone《安提戈涅》 .
Contribution: he added a third actor and decreased the size of the chorus.
Sophodcles has had a strong impact on European literature. Some of his plots were taken over and
adopted by later writers. The Austrian psychiatrist Sigmund Freud’s term “the Oedipus complex”
was also derived from Sophocles’s play.
Euripides (484 --- 406 B.C.)
Works: Andromache《安德洛玛刻》, Medea《美狄亚》, and Trojan Women
 Comedy
Aristophanes (about 450 --- 380 B.C.)
Works: Frogs, Clouds, Wasps and Birds
These plays are loose in plot and satirical in tone.
F.
History
Historical writing started early in Greece.
Herodotus (484 --- 430 B.C.)
“Father of History”, he wrote about the wars between Greeks and Persians.
His history, full of anecdotes and digressions and lively dialogue, is wonderfully readable.
He kept alive many traditional stories, which were not always accurate.
His object in writing was “that the great and wonderful deeds done by Greeks and Persians should
not lack renown.”
Thucydides (about 460 --- 404 B.C.)
Younger than Herodotus, he is more accurate as an historian.
He traced events to their causes and brought out their effects.
He was never dull, but wrote with imagination and power.
He was called “the greatest historian that ever lived.” by Macaulay (an eminent historian)
G. Philosophy and Science
The ancient Greeks were curious about many things, including what made the universe. They
had the spirit of free enquiry and were quite ready to drop established ideas, to speculate, to use
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their imagination and to form their own conclusions. They were also not afraid to speak their
minds.
Pythagoras (about 580 --- 500 B.C.) had the idea that all things were numbers.
Heracleitue (about 540 --- 480 B.C.) believed fire to be the primary element of the universe
He also said: You cannot step twice into the same river. The sun is new everyday
Democritus (about 460 --- 370 B.C.) speculated about the atomic structure of matter.
He was one of the earliest exponents of the atomic theory.
a. Socrates (about 470 --- 399 B.C.) details in textbook P-23
The dialectical method --- method of argument, by questions and answers.
Greek philosopher who initiated a question-and-answer method of teaching as a means of
achieving self-knowledge. His theories of virtue and justice have survived through the writings of
Plato, his most important pupil. Socrates was tried for corrupting the minds of Athenian youth and
subsequently put to death (399).
苏格拉底希腊哲学家，首创了问答工教学方法，作为获得认识自我的一种方法。他关于道
德和正义的理论，通过柏拉图（他最著名的学生）的著作而得以流传下来。苏格拉底因被指
控毒害雅典年轻人的头脑而受到审判，并因此被处死（公元前 339 年）
b. Plato (about 428 ---348 B.C.)
P-26
Men have knowledge because of the existence of certain general “ideas”, like beauty, truth,
goodness. Only these “ideas” are completely real, while the physical world is only relatively real.
For this reason, Plato’s philosophy is called Idealism. (唯心主义)
Greek philosopher. A follower of Socrates, he founded the Academy (386), where he taught and
wrote for much of the rest of his life. Plato presented his ideas in the form of dramatic dialogues,
as in The Republic.
柏拉图希腊哲学家，苏格拉底的信徒，他创办了学园（公元前 386 年），在这里他教书写作
度过他余生的大部分时间柏拉图以戏剧对话的形式表述了他的思想，如在 理想国中
c. Aristotle (384 --- 322 B.C.) P- 27
Greek philosopher. A pupil of Plato, the tutor of Alexander the Great, and the author of works on
logic, metaphysics, ethics, natural sciences, politics, and poetics, he profoundly influenced
Western thought. In his philosophical system theory follows empirical observation and logic,
based on the syllogism, is the essential method of rational inquiry.
亚里士多德希腊哲学家。柏拉图的学生，亚历山大大帝的教师，他的著述论及逻辑学，形
而上学，伦理学，自然科学，政治学和诗学，对西方思想产生了深远影响，在其哲学体系里，
理论服从实地观察和逻辑，以三段论为基础，基本上是理性研究的理论方法
d. Contending Schools of Thought
In the 4th century B.C., four schools of philosophers often argued with each other. They were:
The Cynics 犬儒主义 got their name because Diogenes.戴奥真尼斯(希腊的哲学家,公主张
“简单寡求”的生活，决心像狗一样生活下去。元前 412-323), one of their leaders, decided
to live like a dog and the word “cynic” means “dog” in Greek. He rejected all conventions --whether of religion, of manners, dress, housing, food, or of decency. He advocated
self-sufficiency and extreme simplicity in life. In fact, he lived by begging. He proclaimed his
brotherhood, not only with the whole human race, but also with animals. On the other hand,
he had no patience with the rich and powerful. The story is told of how Alexander the Great
visited him and asked if he wanted any favour. “Only to stand out of my light”, he replied.
The Skeptics 怀疑学派 （对一切知识持怀疑态度）followed Pyrrho (皮洛 about
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360—272B.C.古希腊极端怀疑主义哲学家), who held that not all knowledge was attainable.
Hence he and his followers doubted the truth of what others accepted as true.
The Epicureans 伊壁鸠鲁学派（主张将快乐进行到底）were disciples of Epicurus (伊壁鸠
鲁 341-270B.C.古希腊杰出唯物主义和无神论者), who believed pleasure to be the highest
good in life, but by pleasure he meant, not sensual enjoyment, but freedom from pain and
emotional upheaval. This he thought could be attained by the practice of virtue. His teaching
was misunderstood by later people and the word “Epicurean” has come to mean indulgence in
luxurious living. Epicurus was a materialist. Following Democritus, he believed that the world
consisted of atoms.
The Stoics 斯多葛派（倡导“克己制欲、顺从天命”
） were opposed to the Epicureans. To
them, the most important thing in life was not “pleasure”, but “duty”. This developed into the
theory that one should endure hardship and misfortune with courage. The chief Stoic was
Zeno(齐诺 about 335 – 263 B.C. 希腊哲学家, 斯多葛派的创始人)
e. Science
Euclid 欧几里得(约公元前 3 世纪的古希腊数学家) is even now well-known for his
Element《几何原本》, a textbook of geometry, perhaps the most successful textbook ever
written, because it was in use in English schools until the early years of the 20th century.
Archimedes 阿基米德 (287—212 B.C.) did important work not only in geometry, but also in
arithmetic, mechanics, and hydrostatics. “Give me a place to stand, and I will move the
world.”
Greek science did not neglect application. Mathematics, the purest of sciences, was applied in
at least five fields: acoustics, optics, geography, statics and astronomy.
Greek scientists collected a wealth of material and enquired into the proper method of doing
scientific work. As a result, they were able to deduce theories and built up systems, which had
a tremendous influence on later scientists.
H. Architecture
a. Art
Greek art is a visual proof of Greek civilization.
b. Architecture
Greek architecture can be grouped into 3 styles
(1). the Doric Style (masculine style)
---- is sturdy (strong and firm), powerful, severe looking,
showing a good sense of proportions and numbers.
(2). the Ionic Style (feminine style)
---- is graceful and elegant (slightly ornamental style)
(While the Doric Style is monotonous and unadorned, the Ionic style often shows a wealth of
ornament)
(3). Corinthian Style
---- is known for its ornamental luxury
The famous temples:
Parthenon (447 -- 432 B.C.)--- the most perfect of all the Greek temples, 240 feet long and
110 feet wide, a rectangular structure with evenly spaced lines of columns around
Acrpolis (437 – 432 B.C.)
c. Sculpture
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The earliest Greek sculptures were those of Gods. Stiff, lifeless wood carvings
Towards the 7th century B.C., the size of the statues became bigger and life-size. The figures stand
very stiff with arms close to their sides, hands clenched or flat against the legs. Narrow waists but
broad shoulders and their hair was done in neat and rhythmical rows.
Towards the 5th century B.C., change from stiff and mechanical to a period in which the beauty of
the internal structure of human bodies and mythological figures are well-observed and brought
out.
Discus Thrower
A good sense of harmony and the balance of opposites
Venus de Milo
It has been looked upon as a symbol of beauty, grace and health, a personification of vitality and
dignity.
Laocoon group about 125 B.C.
It is known for its successful depiction of the expression of Laocoon’s face – fear, sympathy and
terror.
d. Pottery
The flourishing of the Greek pottery was a result of domestic needs and needs for foreign trade.
There were Black-figure paintings (700 – 600 B.C.) and Red-figure paintings (--50 B.C.)
The Black-figure paintings are paintings on pottery that have red background and black figure.
The Red-figure paintings are paintings on pottery that have black background and pink figure.
I. Impact
There has been in Europe and elsewhere an enduring excitement about classical Greek culture.
Rediscovery of Greek culture played a vital part in the Renaissance in Italy and other European
countries.
Three qualities stand out:
a. Spirit of Innovation
“They invented mathematics and science and philosophy; they first wrote history as opposed to
mere annals; they speculated freely about the nature of the world and the ends of life, without
being bound in the fetters of any inherited orthodoxy.” (Bertand Russell: History of Western
Philosophy)
b. Supreme Achievement
The Greeks achieved supreme achievements in nearly all fields of human endeavour; philosophy,
science, epic poetry, tragedy, comedy, lyric poetry, historical writing, architecture, sculpture, etc.
c. Lasting Effect
Philosophy
Literature: Byron’s Isles of Greece, Shelley’s Hellas and Prometheus Unbound and Keats’s Ode
on a Grecian Urn.
Roman Culture
Roman History
146 B.C. Roman conquered Greece
Latin ----western half of the Roman Empire
Greeks---- Eastern
27 B.C. Octavius emperor of Augustus
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the following 2 centuries Roman Empire reached its greatest extent
the Mediterranean,
north—Scotland,
east—Amenia & Mesopotamia
rd
3 century the Empire began to decline
4th century the emperor Constantine Capital Rome---Byzantium
renamed it Constantinople (modern Istanbul)
395
divided into east(the Byzantine Empire) and west
476
the end of West Roman Empire
1453
the end of East Roman Empire
Romans and Greeks
The common things: •The Roman had a lot in common with the Greek
(In politics)•Both peoples had traditions rooted in the idea of the citizen assembly, hostile to
monarchy and to servility.
(In religions)•Their religions were alike enough for most of their deities to be readily
identified---Greek Zeus with Roman Jupiter, Greek Aphrodite with Roman Venus, and so on---and
their myths to be fused.
(In languages)•Their languages worked in similar ways, and were ultimately related, both being
members of the Indo-European language family.
The difference: •There was one big difference
•The Romans built up a vast empire; the Greeks didn’t. Except for the brief moment of
Alexander’s conquests, which soon disintegrated.
Roman Law
In its earliest stage
In the mid-3rd century B.C.
patricians
plebeians
customary legal procedure
the rules put into writing
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Further development
Eventually
the law was codified
became the core of modern civil and commercial law in
many western countries Latin Literature
a. Prose
Two men active on the political scene wrote memorable prose
♥ Marcus Tullius Cicero (106—43B.C.)
He played an important role in the Roman senate
Noted for his oratory and fine writing style
His legal and political speeches are models of Latin diction.
Ciceronian—eloquent, oratorical manner of writing
♥ Julius caesar (102/100?–44B.C.)
a general, dictator, assassinated.
He recorded what he did and saw in the various military campaigns
These writings, collected in his Commentaries, are models of succinct Latin.
He use language with economy and ferocity
“I came, I saw, I conquered.”
b. Poetry
♥ Lucretius (93—50 B.C.)
He wrote the philosophical poem On the Nature of Things
♥ Virgil (70—19 B.C.)
The greatest of Latin poets, wrote the great epic, the Aenied
Architecture, Painting and Sculpture
i.
Architecture
The Romans were great engineers. They covered their world from one end to the other with roads,
bridges, aqueducts, theatres and arenas
♥ The Pantheon
The greatest and the best preserved Roman temple, which was built in 27 B.C. and reconstructed
in the 2nd century A.D
♥ Pont du Gard
It is an exceptionally well-preserved aqueduct that spans a wide valley in south France
♥ the colosseum
It is an enormous amphitheatre built in the centre of Rome in imperial times. A masterpiece of
engineering, it held more than 5000 spectators. Its interior is two-third of a mile round.
The colosseum was used for games, contests and shows.
ii.
Painting
Roman painting was strongly influenced by the art of Greece. Unfortunately much of the painting
no longer exists. There are, however, some wall-paintings from Pompeii and other towns near
Naples. These wall-paintings include still lifes, landscape paintings and figure paintings.
iii.
•she—wolf
Sculpture
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A statue which illustrates the legend of the creation of Rome Today at the site of the city’s
founding, there stands a statue of the she-wolf
4. Practical Exercises
Quiz 1
Fill in the blanks:
1. European culture is made up of many elements, which have gone through changes
over the centuries. Two of these elements are considered to be more enduring and they
are: the ______element, and the ______ element.
2. Ancient Greeks considered Homer to be the author of their epics. He probably lived
around 700 B.C. Two such epics, the _____ and the Odyssey, have survived.
3. The East Roman Empire collapsed when Constantinople fell to the Turks in _____
4. The Romans enjoyed a long period of peace lasting two hundred years, a
remarkable phenomenon in history known as the ________
5. She-wolf is the statue which illustrates the legend of creation of ________.
6. After ________, the Roman Empire was permanently divided into East and West.
7. In ________, the last emperor of the West was deposed by the Goths and this
marked the end of the West Roman Empire.
True or False:
1. Socrates ever said “You cannot step twice into the same river”. ( )
2. The East Roman Empire collapsed when Constantinople fell to the Turks in 476.
()
3. Sappho was considered the most important lyric poet of ancient Greece. ( )
4. Once every 4 years the Greeks had a big festival on Olympus Mount which
included contests of sports. Thus began the Olympic Games. Revived in 1986, the
Olympic Games have become the world’s foremost amateur sports competition. ( )
5. Roman law eventually became the core of modern civil and commercial law in
many Western countries. ( )
6. In the 4th century the emperor Constantine moved the capital from Rome to
Byzantium, renamed it Istanbul. ( )
7. The Pantheon was the greatest and the best preserved Roman temple. ( )
8. She-wolf is a painting which illustrates the legend of creation of Rome. ( )
9. The Austrian psychiatrist Sigmund Freud’s term “the Oedipus complex” was
derived from Sophocles’s play. ( )
Term:
Pax Romana
Match:
Julius Caesae ---- Commentaries ----“I came, I saw, I conquered.”
Virgil ---- Aeneid
The Cynics --- Diogenes --- to live like a dog
The Sceptics --- Pyrrhon --- to doubt the truth of what others accepted as true
The Epicureans --- Epicurus --- pleasure is the highest good in life
Stoics --- Zeno --- the most important thing in life was not “pleasure”, but “duty”
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Heracleitue --- “You cannot step twice into the same river.” “The sun is new
everyday.”
Archimedes --- “Give me a place to stand, and I will move the world.”
Question:
Greek part:
1. What are the major elements in European culture?
2. What were the main features of ancient Greek society?
3. What did Homer do? Why is he important in the history of European literature?
4. Who were the outstanding dramatists of ancient Greece? What important plays did
each of them write?
5. Were there historians then? Who were they? What did each of them write about?
6. Would you say that philosophy was highly developed then? Who were the major
philosophers?
7. Did Socrates write any book? How then do we know about him? What
distinguished his philosophy?
8. Tell some of Plato's ideas. Why do people call him an idealist?
9. In what important ways was Aristotle different from Plato? What are some of
Aristotle's works that are still influential to day?
10. Who were some of the other philosophers active in that period? Does the word
"Epicurean" in its modern sense convey the true meaning of the philosophy of the
ancient Epicureans? What were their views on pleasure?
11. Say something about Greek sculpture, pottery and architecture. What was the most
famous Greek temple? Is it still there?
12. Give some examples to show the enormous influence of Greek culture on English
literature.
Roman Part:
1. What did the Romans have in common with the Greeks? And what was the chief
difference between them?
2. Explain Pax Romana
3. What contribution did the Romans make to the rule of law?
4. Who were the important prose writers in ancient Rome? What does "Ciceronian"
mean? Did Cicero write that kind of rhetorical prose all the time?
5. Give an example of the terse style of Julius Caesar's prose,
6. Who was Lucretius? What did he do?
7. What is the book for which Virgil has been famous throughout the centuries? In
what ways in the book linked with the Greek past?
8. Why do we say Aeneus is a truly tragic hero?
9. What is the chief Roman achievement in architecture? Give some examples.
10. Why are the wait-paintings of the ancient Romans still significant to us today?
VI. Assignments
Prepare a general introduction to culture, please use PPT to illustrate your opinion.
Time limit is 10 minutes. You may tell us any part you like according to our book，
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for example, if you like the 18th century, you just tell us the most famous events or
any person you like best.
VII. Reference Material
Perry Western Civilization—A Brief History Western culture
《西方文化导论》叶盛年 上海外语教育出版社
《古希腊和古罗马》Ancient Greece & Rome Richard Easby 外语教学与研究出版社
《雅典卫城》The Acropolis Jane Shuter 外语教学与研究出版社
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Chapter Two
The Bible and Christianity
I. Teaching Objectives
1. be clear about the components and main contents of the Bible
2. get to know some famous stories in English Bible
3. understand the origin and development of Christianity
4. understand the far-reaching influence of the bible to the western culture.
II. The Points to Be Highlighted
1. the Old Testament --- about God and the laws of God
2. the New Testament --- the doctrine of Jesus Christ
3. The Pentateuch --- about the myths of God’s creation of world and the myths of
human’s original ancestors
4. At the heart of Christianity is the life of Jesus: How he lived and died to redeem
the whole human race.
5. Translation of the Bible
III. Teaching Approaches
1. Pair/Group work
4. Communicative approach
2. Discussion
3 Task-based approach
5. Questions and answers
IV. Background Information
Some 3 800 years ago the ancestors of the Jews ― the Hebrews― wandered
through the deserts of the Middle East. They were traveling merchants, moving from
one trading post to the next. And that was how they came to be called "Hebrews",
which means "wanderers". About 1 300 B. C., the Hebrews came to settle in Palestine,
known as Canaan at that time, and formed small kingdoms. Their history was handed
down orally from one generation to another in the form of folktales and stories, which
were recorded later in the Old Testament, which still later became the first part of the
Christian Bible. Although a minor tribe in ancient Middle East with a small
population, the Hebrews made one of the greatest contributions to the world
civilization.
V. Teaching Procedures and Contents
1. Lead-in (or) Warming-up
Does Christianity influence you in any way?
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Have you ever been to a Christian church?
Do you know the masterpiece of Da Vinci The Last Supper? Can you tell the
story about it?
Take a Bible with me, show around the students.
Whenever we discuss Bible---the holy book, we will feel the holy feeling from it.
Did you ever hear any stories from it? Such as Noah's Ark, The Birth of Jesus, Jesus Is
Tempted by the Devil, etc.
This is communicative approach. Students should tell their desk mates the things
they know. After their sharing, teachers may sum up.
2. Specific Contents
A. The old Testament
Bible--- a collection of religious writings comprising two parts:
the Old Testament --- about God and the laws of God
(consists of 39 books)
the New Testament --- the doctrine of Jesus Christ
(consists of 27 books)
“Testament”--- “agreement”, the agreement between God and Man.
1) The Pentateuch --- the oldest and most important first five books of the Old Testament.
It’s about the myths of God’s creation of world and the myths of human’s original ancestors
Genesis:
a religious account of the origin of the Hebrew people, including the origin of the
world and of man, the career of Issac and the life of Jacob and his son Joseph.
Exodus:
a religious history of the Hebrews during their flight from Egypt, the period when
they began to receive God’s Law.
Leviticus:
a collection of primitive laws
Numbers:
a continuation of the account of the flight from Egypt with two censuses about the
Exodus
Deuteronomy: the final words of Moses to his people, restating his orders and fifty year’s
experiences as a leader
a. The Fall of Man
b. Noah’s Ark
c. Commandments 摩西十戒
2) The Historical Books---the history of ancient Jews from Hebrews’ settlement in Balestain
(1200 B.C.) to 100’s A.D.
This part of the Old Testament includes these books:
Book of Joshua
约书亚记
Book of Judges
士师记
Books of Samuel
撒母耳记
Books of Kings
列王记
Books of the Chronicles
历代志
Books of Ezra
以斯拉记
Book of Nehemiah
尼希米记
This period of Hebrew history covers the settlement in the Highlands by the Hebrews, the
development of system of landed nobles, development of monarchy, age of great prosperity under
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Saul, David and Solomon, and establishment of the two Kingdoms.
Moses --- Joshua --- Saul --- David (Capital – Jerusalem)
The Poetical Books--- poems and other forms of religious literature works
A). Book of Job
a poetic drama
B). Book of Psalms
a collection of 150 poetic pieces, the chief hymnal of the Jews.
C). Proverb
a collection of moral maxims or sayings of practical nature.
D). Ecclesiastes
a collection of sayings about the purpose of life.
E). Songs of Solomon a collection of love poems, depicting everyday life in the countryside..
3) The Prophets--- 关于先知的预言和宗教、政治评论.
A. Amos
B. Jeremiah
C. The Book of Daniel
B. Rise of Christianity
Two beliefs which separate Christianity from all other religious:
---Jesus Christ is the son of God, and God sent him to earth to live as humans live, suffer as
humans suffer, and die to redeem mankind.
--- God gave his only begotten son, so that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but
have ever lasting life.
At the heart of Christianity is the life of Jesus: How he lived and died to redeem the whole human
race.
1) The life of Jesus
Nazareth /Augustus/Jew/local synagogue/30/ baptism/John Baptist /Galilee/ throughout
Palestine/preach/3 years/to Jerusalem for the Passover/betrayed by Juda/crucified as a
revolutionary preacher and dangerous reformer.
2) The Spread of Christianity
Constantine issued the Edict of Milan in 313. It granted religious freedom to all, and made
Christianity legal.
In 392 A.D., Emperor Theodosius made Christianity the official religion of the empire and
outlawed all other religious.
Christianity changed from an object of oppression to a weapon in the hands of the ruling class.
After the fifth century Nestorianism reached China.
C.
The New Testament
By 300 A.D. each local church ----- a parish------priest
Several parishes ----- diocese ----- bishop
the most important bishops were called archbishop
With the establishment of the church organization, the Christians began to consider what writings
to include in the Christian Scriptures, or the New Testament.
As Jesus had left no written records, his disciples in the first century wrote down in Greek about
his life and teaching.
Towards the end of the 4th century, four accounts were accepted as part of the New Testament:
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Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
They were believed to have been written by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John--- 4 of Jesus early
followers. They tell of the birth, teaching, death and resurrection of Jesus.
Other parts of the New Testament:
the Acts of the Apostles --- a history of the early Christian Movement
the Epistles or letters to the church groups around the Mediterranean
The last part of the N.T.
the book of Revelation --- a visionary account of the final triumph of God’s purpose
Some stories in the N.T.:
(1). The Birth of Jesus
(2). Jesus Is Tempted by the Devil
(3). The Sermon on the Mount
(4) The Last Supper
(5). The Crucifixion (the death of Christ on the cross)
D.
Translation of the Bible
The Bible is a collection of religious writings.
It is much more than a religious book. (reflecting most extensively western ideas and culture)
It is really an encyclopedia.
It is the essential of western civilization, having shaped the western civilization more decisively
than anything else ever written.
All in one, it is history;
it is literature;
it is record of great minds.
It has left enormous influence on the human race.
The Old Testament was originally written in Hebrew and the New Testament was originally
written in a popular form of Greek.
(1). The oldest extant Greek translation of the Old Testament is known as the Septuagint.
(It is still in use in the Greek Church today.
72 translators translated it in 72 days.
It is extremely invaluable because the text from which it is translated has been lost. And no
copy of the original translation can be found.)
(2). The most ancient extant Latin version of the whole Bible is the Vulgate edition in common
people’s language.
(This version made the Bible very popular.)
(3). The first English version of whole Bible was translated from the Latin Vulgate in 1382 and
was copied out by hand by the early group of reformers led by John Wycliff.
(4). The most important and influential of English Bible is the “Authorized” or King James’
version, first published in 1611.
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It is generally accepted that the English Bible and Shakespeare are two great reservoirs of
Modern English.
Almost all great authors of the English language show a familiarity with the Bible.
The use of Biblical themes has been a literary tradition and noted examples are:
Milton’s
Paradise Lost
Bunyan’s
Pilgrim’s Progress
Byron’s
Cain
Hemingway’s
The Son Also Rises
Steinbeck’s
East of Eden
In fact few great English and American writers of the 17th ,18th,19th and 20th century can be
read and appreciated with satisfaction without a sufficient knowledge of the Bible.
3. Task design
a. Before you read the story of Noah’s Ark, can you tell us the general idea of it?
b. Read the history to know the “Rise of Christianity”, and discuss with your partner
the reasons for the rising of Christianity.
c. Look at the picture “The Birth of Jesus”, you must have heard something about this
famous story. Please retell that story.
d. Explain the text
4. Practical Exercises
Quiz 2
Multiple choices:
1. Which of the following is by far the most influential religion in the West? ____
A. Buddhism
B. Islamism
C. Christianity
D. Judaism
2. The Old Testament consists of 39 books, the oldest and most important of which are the first
five books, called ___.
A. Exodus
B. Commandments
C. Amos
D. Pentateuch
3. Which of the following emperors made Christianity the official religion of the empire and
outlawed all other religious?
A. Theodosius
B. Augustus
C. Constantine
D. Nero Caesar
4. Which of the following emperors issued the Edict of Milan and made Christianity legal in 313?
A. Augustus
B. Thedosius
C. Nero
D. Constantine
5. The oldest extant Greek translation of the Old Testament is known as ___.
A. the Latin Vulgate
B. the Aristeas
C. the “Authorized”
D. the Septuagint
Fill in the blanks:
1. Both Judaism and Christianity originated in ___---the hub of migration and trade routes, which
led to exchange of ideas over wide areas.
2. Some 3800 years ago the ancestors of the Jews --- the ___ wandered through the deserts of the
Middle East.
3. About 1300 B.C. , the Hebrews came to settle in Palestine, known as ___ at that time, and
formed small kingdoms.
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4. The king of the Hebrews was handed down orally from one generation to another in the form of
folktales and stories, which were recorded later in the ___.
5. Jesus of Nazareth lived in Palestine during the reign of the first Roman Emperor___
6. Jesus went with his disciples to Jerusalem for the Passover, but was betrayed by ___.
7. In 313 the ____ was issued by Constantine I and granted religious freedom to all and made
Christianity legal.
8. By 300 A.D. each local church was called a___and had a full time leader known as ___.
9. Towards the end of the ___ century, four accounts were accepted as part of the New Testament,
which tells the beginning of Christianity.
10. It is generally accepted that___ and ___are two great reservoirs of Modern English.
Interpretation:
1. the Bible
2. the Pentateuch
3. the Edict of Milan
Questions:
1.What was the Hebrew's major contribution to world civilization?
2. Why do we say Judaism and Christianity are closely related?
3. When did the great exodus take place?
4. Who was Moses? What did he do for the Hebrews?
5. What are the Ten Commandments about?
6. What writings make up the New Testament?
7. How did the relations between Christians and the Roman government change'?
8. How did Christian monks help Western civilization survive?
9. Why do we say the Bible has shaped Western culture more decisively than anything
else ever written?
VI. Assignments
Prepare a general introduction to culture, please use PPT to illustrate your opinion.
Time limit is 10 minutes. You may tell us any part you like according to our book. for
example, if you like the 18th century, you just tell us the most famous events or any
person you like best.
VII.
Reference Material
Bible Stories
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Chapter Three
The Middle Ages
I. Teaching Objectives
On completion of this Chapter, students should be able to:
1. be clear about the origin and characters of European feudalism
2. get to know the development of Christianity and church organization during this
period.
3. be clear about the great achievements of Europe in medieval times in literature,
science, art and architecture
II. The Points to Be Highlighted
1. During the Medieval times there was no central government to keep the order. The
only organization that seemed to unite Europe was the Christian church.
2. Christianity took the lead in politics, law, art, and learning for hundreds of years. It
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shaped people’s lives. That is why the Middle Ages is also called the “Age of
Faith”
3. Feudalism in Europe was mainly a system of land holding --- a system of holding
land in exchange for military service.
4. Code of chivalry:
To protect the weak
To fight for the church
To be loyal to his lord
To respect women of noble birth
III. Teaching Approaches
1. Pair/Group work
4. Communicative approach
2. Discussion
3 Task-based approach
5. Questions and answers……
IV. Background Information
1. In European history, the thousand-year period following the fall of the Western
Roman Empire in the fifth century is called the Middle Ages. It is so called because
it came between ancient times and modern times.
2. Charlemagne (742―814), who temporarily restored order in western and central
Europe, was perhaps the most important figure of the early medieval period.
3. Alfred the Great (849― 899). ruler of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Wessex,
contributed greatly to the medieval European culture.
4. St. Thomas Aquinas (1225― 1274) was an Italian philosopher and theologian, the
supreme figure in scholasticism.
V. Teaching Procedures and Contents
1. Lead-in (or) Warming-up
Legends or romances are two attracting stories. We have seen the films of King
Arthur and Robin Hood. Can you say something about these two famous films?
Choose one or more students to tell us the stories. Then we may use our imagination
to reveal the mystery veil.
You must have ever heard of “the middle ages”. Do you know which period of history
does it refer to in European history?
2.
Specific Contents
A. General Introduction
The Middle Ages
In European history, the thousand-year period following the fall of the Western Roman Empire in
the fifth century is called the Middle Ages. It is so called because it came between ancient times
and modern times.
Europe
I.
I.
En
gla
F
nd
r
a
n
c
e
Visigoths
Franks
A. S
Angles and Saxons
p
20
Vandals
a
i
n
Central Asia
Huns
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Italy
German
y
5th ---- 11th
centuries
Wars, invasions, destruction, confusion, hunger, disease,
During the Medieval times there was no central government to keep the order. The only
organization that seemed to unite Europe was the Christian church.
Christianity took the lead in politics, law, art, and learning for hundreds of years. It shaped
people’s lives. That is why the Middle Ages is also called the “Age of Faith”
This is a period in which classical, Hebrew and Gothic heritages merged. And it is this fusion and
blending of different ideas and practices that paved the way for the development of what is the
present-day European culture.
B. Manor and Church
1) Feudalism
Feudalism in Europe was mainly a system of land holding --- a system of holding land in
exchange for military service.
The word “feudalism” was derived from the Latin “feudum”, a grant of land.
a. Growth of Feudalism
Most of peasants became serfs (attacks from invaders and robbers----sought protection from
powerful landowners--- gave their land and freedom)
Very few peasants were freemen --- workers (made ploughs, shod the horses, and made harnesses)
In 732 Charles Martel , a Frankish ruler gave his soldiers estates known as fiefs as reward for their
service.
Soldiers (fiefs)----lesser vassals------lords(vassals)----king
Thus a complicated system of government developed. After 800, the kings in Europe were usually
very weak. Without a strong central government the kingdoms of Western Europe were divided
into thousands of feudal manors or farming communities, each as big as an ancient polis. Some
nobles grew more powerful than the king, and became independent rulers.
They had right to collect taxes and to make their own laws. Many of them coined their own money
and raised their own armies. Therefore feudalism was also a system of government --- a form of
local and decentralized government.
b. The Manor
The central medieval life under feudalism was the manor. Manors were founded on the fiefs of the
lords. Some lords owned only one manor; others owned many. They lived in a manor house.
Manors house --- fortresses--- castles
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forest
s
fields
stable
Wine press
cottage
s
rectory
church
barn
Manor house
mill
Bread oven
mead
ows
pasture
s
Nobles lived a life of luxury on a manor. Each manor had lots of buildings. They all had …..
Everything needed to live was supplied on the manors. It was self-sufficient.
c. Knighthood and Code of Chivalry
Almost all nobles were knights in the medieval days. But no one was born a knight ---knighthood
had to be earned. The training was both long and hard.
At the age of 7
page
learn to say prayers,
learn good manners,
ran errands for the ladies
Assistant to a knight (his
master),
Learn the duties of a knight,
Practise using a sword, lance
and shield,
Go into battle with his master
At about 14
squire
If proved to be
a good fighter
Be made knight
at dubbing
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Pledge to protect the weak,
To fight for the church,
To be loyal to his lord and
To respect women of noble birth
Known as Code of chivalry,
from which the western idea of
good manners developed
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:
2) The Church
After 1054, the church was divided into the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern
Orthodox Church.
a. The organization of Church
The word “catholic” means “universal”
The Catholic Church was a highly centralized and disciplined international organization.
b. Church Fathers and Early Monasticism
St. Jerome – a notable champion of early monasticism. He translated into Old and New
Testaments from the Hebrew and Greek originals. His translation work, the Vulgate, became the
official Latin Bible used by the Roman Catholic Church of this day.
Augustine of Hippo --- the most important of all the leaders of Christian thought. He lived in
North Africa in the 5th century. “The Confession” and “The City of God” by him are masterpieces
of world renown.
St. Benedict ---another great early monk who founded Benedictine Rule about 529 A.D.
The monks who followed Benedict’s rule promised to give up all their possession before entering
the monastery. They wore simple clothes and ate only certain simple foods. They could not marry
and had to obey without question the orders of the abbot. They had to attend service seven times
during the day and once at midnight. In addition they were expected to work five hours a day in
the fields surrounding the monastery.
c. The Power and Influence of the Catholic Church
Under feudalism, people of western Europe were mainly divided into three classes: clergy, lords
and peasants.
Kings, nobles and church officials worked together to rule the people.
Clergymen were the only teachers, as they were the best-educated men in their day.
People pay taxes to churches.
Nobles and kings often gave lands, crops or cattle to support the church.
Many high church officials were themselves big landowners and influential nobles.
The pope not only ruled Rome and parts of Italy as a king, he was also the head of all Christian
churches in western Europe.
The church set up a church court --- the Inquisition to stamp out so-called heresy.
The Medieval Church was the center of daily life in the country and town alike, and it had a part
in all important events.
Apart from being a place of worship, the church building was a place for recreation and the center
of trade and community activity.
3) The Crusades
Reason:
In 1071 Palestine fell to the armies of the Turkish Moslems….. (p 96)
Process:
Holy wars /crusade went on about 200 years. There were altogether eight chief Crusades:
First Crusade
1096—1099
Second Crusade
1147--- 1149
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Third Crusade
1189--- 1192
Fourth Crusade
1202--- 1204
Fifth Crusade
1218--- 1221
Sixth Crusade
1228--- 1229
Seventh Crusade
1248--- 1254
Eighth Crusade
1270
End:
By 1291 the Moslems had taken over the last Christian stronghold. They won the crusades.
Significance:
Although the Crusades did not achieve their goal to regain the Holy land, they had an important
effect on the future of both the East and the West. They brought the East into closer contact with
the West. And they greatly influenced the history of Europe.
Crusades helped to break down feudalism, which, in turn led to the rise of the monarchies.
Through their contact with the more cultured Byzantines and Moslems, the western Europeans
changed many of their old ideas.
The Crusades also resulted in renewing people’s interest in learning and invention.
C. Learning and Science
1) Charlemagne and Carolingian Renaissance
Charlemagne/Charles/Charles the Great(742--814), who temporarily restored order in western
and central Europe, was perhaps the most important figure of the early medieval period. He kept
order throughout his realm, and he encouraged interest in the Christian religion and ancient
learning. He was crowned “ Emperor of the Romans” by the Pope in 800.
Carolingian Renaissance
Charlemagne encouraged learning by setting up monastery schools, giving support to scholars and
setting scribes to work copying various ancient books. Because the scribes performed their tasks
well, few of the ancient works that had survived until that time were ever lost. The result of
Charlemagne’s efforts is usually called the “Carolingian Renaissance”, the most interesting facet
of this rather minor renaissance is spectacle of Frankish or Germanic state reaching out to
assimilate the riches of the Roman Classical and the Christianized Hebraic culture.
2) Alfred the Great and Wessex Centre of Learning
Alfred the Great (849--899), ruler of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Wessex, contributed greatly to
the medieval European culture. He worried about the disappearance of learning and made Wessex
the Anglo-Saxon culture center by introducing teachers and scholars, founding new monasteries,
and promoting translations into the vernacular from Latin works. He also inspired the compilation
of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles.
3) St. Thomas Aquinas and Scholasticism
St. Thomas Aquinas (1225---1274) was an Italian philosopher and theologian, the supreme figure
in scholasticism. His Summa Theologica forms an enormous system and sums up all the
knowledge of medieval theology. It defends feudal theocracy by arguing that the feudal hierarchy
of society is “ God’s rule”, the power of feudal rulers originates from “ God’s will”, and the Pope
is “ Christ’s Plenipotentiary” above the secular rulers.
4) Roger Bacon and Experimental Science
Science made little progress during the Middle Ages.
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Superstition was widespread.
False sciences based on the practice of “magic” were popular.
Astrology (foretelling the future by study of the stars)
Alchemy (converting base metals into gold)
Real scientific progress did not begin until the 12th and 13th centuries.
Roger Bacon (about 1220---1292), a monk, was one of the earliest advocates of scientific research.
He called for careful observation and experimentation. His main work was the Opus maius, and
encyclopedia of the sciences of his time.
D. Literature
1) National Epics
“National epics” refers to the epic written in vernacular languages --- that is, the languages of
various national states that came into being in the Middle Ages.
a. Beowulf(700-750 A.D.)
Beowulf is an Anglo-Saxon epic, in alliterative verse, originating from the collective efforts of
oral literature.
The story is set in Demark or Sweden and tells how the hero, Beowulf, defeats the monster
Grendel and Grendel’s mother, a sea monster, but eventually receives his own death in fighting
with a fire dragon.
b. Song of Roland (about 12century A.D.)
Song of Roland is the most well-known of a group of French epics. It tells how Roland, one of
Charlemagne’s warriors, fights in Spain and dies defending a pass in the Pyrenees.
2) Dante Alighieri and The Divine Comedy
Dante Alighieri (1265---1321) was the greatest poet of Italy and also a prose writer, literary
theorist, moral philosopher as well as political thinker.
His masterpiece, The Divine Comedy, is one of the landmarks of world literature. The poem
expresses humanistic ideas which foreshadowed the spirit of Renaissance.
3) Geoffery Chaucer and The Canterbury Tales
Chaucer (1340--1400) was an English poet. The Canterbury Tales were his most popular work
for their power of observation, piercing irony, sense of humour and warm humanity. The book
contains twenty-four tales told by a group of pilgrims on their journey to Canterbury.
Chaucer is regarded as the first short story teller and the first modern poet in English literature.
E. Art and Architecture
1) Romanesque
The buildings, sculpture, painting, and decorative arts created in Europe, during the 11th and 12th
centuries exhibit a style that, in spite of national and regional variations, has numerous common
characteristics. This has led the scholars to coin the term “Romanesque”, which means “in the
Roman manner”.
Romanesque art is predominantly religious.
Architecture is characterized by massiveness, solidity, and monumentality with an overall blocky
appearance.
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Sculpture and painting, primarily in churches, developed a wonderful unity with the architecture.
Both arts are imbued with symbolism and allegory.
2) Gothic
The Gothic style started in France and quickly spread through all parts of western Europe. It
flourished and lasted from the mid-12th to the end of 15th century and , in some areas, into the 16th.
More churches were built in this manner than in any other style in history.
Gothic cathedrals soared high, their windows, arches and towers reaching heavenward, flinging
their passion against the sky. They were decorated with beautiful stained glass windows and
sculptures more lifelike than any since ancient Rome.
3. Task design
a. Look at the pictures of the churches which were built in Middle ages, then try to tell
your feeling to your partner. Use your words to describe the style of Gothic.
b. Did you ever heard about The Divine Comedy? Can you tell us something of it? Try
to know the humanist spirit in it.
c. State the general background of the Middle Ages.
d. Read one of the assertions in the text and tell others about your understanding.
4. Practical Exercises
Quiz 3
Multiple Choice:
1. The Middle Ages is also called the ____.
A. “Age of Christianity”
B. “Age of literature”
C. “Age of Holy Spirit”
D. “Age of Faith”
2. When was the Church divided into the Roman Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodox
Church? ____
A. after 1066 B. after 1296 C. after 1054 D. after 476
3. According to the code of chivalry, which of the following is not pledged to do for a
knight? __
A. to be loyal to his lord
B. to fight for the church
C. to obey without question the orders of the abbot
D. to respect women of noble birth
4. In 732, who gave his soldiers estates known as fiefs as a reward for their service? ____
A. Charles Martel, a Frankish ruler
B. Charles I, a Turkish ruler
C. Constantine I, a Frankish ruler
D. St. Benedict, an Italian ruler
5. Under Feudalism, what were the three classes of people of Western Europe? _____
A. clergy, knights and serfs
B. Pope, bishop and peasants
C. clergy, lords and peasants
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D. knights, nobles and serfs
6. Which of the following about the knight or noble in the Middle Ages in Europe is NOT
true? ___
A. Almost all nobles were knights in the Medieval.
B. A noble began his education as a page at the age of seven.
C. As a knight, he was pledged to fight for the church.
D. At about fourteen, the page became a knight.
7. By which year the Moslems had taken over the last Christian stronghold and won the
crusades and ruled all the territory in Palestine that the crusaders had fought to control? _
A. 1270
B. 1254
C. 1096
D. 1291
8. Which of the following was crowned “Emperor of the Romans” by the Pope in 800? ___
A. St. Thomas Aquinas
B. Charlemagne
C. Constantine
D. King James
9. Who was the ruler of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Wessex and contributed greatly to the
medieval European culture?
A. Charles I
B. Constantine I C. Alfred the Great
D. Charles the Great
10. Who is the author of The Canterbury Tales? _______
A. Roger Bacon
B. Dante Alighieri
C. Chaucer D. St. Thomas Aquinas
True or False:
1. Feudalism in Europe was mainly a system of land holding --- a system of holding land in
exchange for military service. ( )
2. Under feudalism, people of western Europe were mainly divided into three classes: clergy,
lords and peasants. ( )
3. The Pope not only ruled Rome and parts of Italy as a king, he was also the head of all
Christian churches in western Europe. ( )
4. In the Medieval times the Church set up a church court --- the Inquisition to stamp out
so-called heresy. ( )
5. Alfred the Great was crowned “Emperor of the Romans” by the Pope in 800. ( )
6. Song of Roland is an Anglo-Saxon epic, in alliterative verse, originating from the collective
efforts of oral literature. ( )
7. Dante was the greatest poet of Italy, his masterpiece, The Canterbury Tales was his most
popular work for their power of observation, piercing irony, sense of humor and warm
humanity. ( )
8. The pope not only ruled Rome and parts of Italy as a king, he was also the head of all
Christian churches in western Europe. ( )
9. The crusades went on about 200 years and they finally achieved their goal to regain the Holy
land. ( )
10. Chaucer is regarded as the first short story teller and the first modern poet in English literature.
( )
Interpretation:
1. National Epics
2. Code of Chivalry
Questions:
1. What happened in western Europe after the decline of the Roman Empire?
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2. What were the cultural characteristics of the period from 500 to 1000?
3. Who was Charles Martel?
4. What was the relationship between lord and vassal?
5. Into what three groups were people divided under feudalism?
6. What was the difference between a serf and a free man?
7. What is the importance of the using of vernacular languages in Medieval literature?
8. In what ways did Gothic art differ from Romanesque art?
9. What was the merit which Charlemagne and Alfred the Great share?
VI. Assignments
Prepare a general introduction to culture, please use PPT to illustrate your opinion.
Time limit is 10 minutes. You may tell us any part you like according to our book. for
example, if you like the 18th century, you just tell us the most famous events or any
person you like best.
VII. Reference Material
1． 邓红风
《A History of Western Civilization》 中国海洋大学出版社
2．H.G. Wells (1866~1946 ) （张春光 译）《The Outline of History》 江西人
民出版社
3．Jackson J. Spiel Vogel 《WESTERN CIVILIZATION A BRIEF HISTORY》
北京大学出版社
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Chapter Four Renaissance and Reformation
I. Teaching Objectives
1.
get to know the historical context of Renaissance and Reformation
2. get to know the achievements of Renaissance and Reformation
3. remember some great figures and their representative works in this period
4. understand the great impact of Renaissance and Reformation
5. get to know the historical context of Reformation and counter-reformation
6. get to know the contents of Reformation and counter-reformation
7. understand the great impact of Reformation and counter-reformation
II. The Points to Be Highlighted
1. “Renaissance” means revival
2. the reasons for the flourishing of Renaissance in Italy.
3. At the heart of the Renaissance Philosophy was the assertion of the greatness of
man.
4. the distinct features of the tradition of the Renaissance art
5. three predominant figures in the High Renaissance
6. the paintings and architectures
III. Teaching Approaches
1. Pair/Group work
2. Discussion
IV. Background Information
1. Renaissance as a period in western civilization may be explained in different ways.
But generally speaking, it refers to the period between the 14th and mid 17th
century. The word "Renaissance" means revival, specifically in this period of
history, revival of interest in ancient Greek and Roman culture. Renaissance,
therefore, in essence, was a historical period in which the European humanist
thinkers and scholars made attempts to get rid of conservatism in feudalist Europe
and introduce new ideas that expressed the interests of the rising bourgeoisie, to
lift the restrictions in ail areas placed by the Roman church authorities.
V. Teaching Procedures and Contents
1. Lead-in (or) Warming-up
Work in pairs to discuss what you know about the Renaissance and Reformation.
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Show students some pictures of Renaissance period.
Lead in the general introduction.
2. Specific Contents
A. General Introduction
Renaissance:
Time span: 14th— mid 17th century
Space span: started in Florence and Venice, from Italy to the rest of Europe.
Meaning: “Renaissance” means revival, specifically revival of interest in ancient Greek and
Roman culture
Essence: Humanism
Significance: old sciences revived and new sciences emerged, national languages and national
cultures free from the absolute control of the Papal authority in Rome took place
and art and literature flourished as never before. The absolute authority of the
Roman Catholic Church was shaken and people in Europe came to a new
awareness which was to help shape what Europe is today. P125—5)
The Renaissance created a culture which freed man to discover and enjoy the world
in a way not possible under the medieval Church’s dispensation. In this release lay
the way of development of the modern world. The Reformation dealt the feudal
theocracy a fatal blow. It shattered Medieval Church’s stifling control over man,
thus paving the way for capitalism. P178
B. Renaissance in Italy
1) Historical Background
Geographical position/ foreign trade developed early in Italy/ gave rise to urban economy/
accumulated wealth/ the flowering of art and literature
11th century, cities began to rise in central and north Italy.
Towards the 15th century, 5 main city-states—the Duchy of Milan; the Republic of Florence and
Venice; the Papal States and the Kingdom of Venice.
In Florence a revival of interest in classical learning and rising of humanist ideas.
Renaissance reached its height in the 16th century with its center moving to Milan, then to Rome,
and created High Renaissance (1490—1530)
Meantime, Venetian art came into being.
2) The Rise of Humanism
At the heart of the Renaissance Philosophy was the assertion of the greatness of man.
Related to this is the belief in the promotion of wealth, pleasure and a frank admiration for the
beauty of human body. This ran exactly counter to the medieval ascetical ideal of poverty and
stoicism, and shifted man’s interest from Christianity to humanity, from religion to philosophy,
from heaven to earth, from beauty of God, and the house of God to the beauty of the human body.
3) New Literature
d. Giovanni Boccaccio (1313--1375) p-128
French-born Italian poet and writer whose classic work, the Decameron (1351-1353), is a
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collection of 100 tales told by seven young ladies and three younger gentlemen on their way to
escape the Black Death of 1348.
e. Francesco Petrarch (1304—1374) p-129
Italian poet, scholar, and humanist who are famous for Canzoniere, a collection of love lyrics.
Other works: Africa, Metrical Epistles, On Contempt for the worldly life, on Solitude, Ecologues
and The Letters.
4) Renaissance Art
The tradition of the Renaissance art has the following distinct features:
(1). Art broke away from the domination of the church.
(2). Themes of paintings changed from purely celestial realm focusing on the stories of the Bible,
of God Jesus and Mary to an appreciation of all aspects of nature and man.
(3). The artists studied the ruins of Roman and Greek temples and put many of the principles of
ancient civilization into their works.
(4). Artists introduced in their works scientific theories of anatomy and perspective.
 Early Renaissance Artists
Giotto (about 1266—1337) p-132
Forerunner of the Renaissance.
Dertermined the course of painting in Europe.
He led the way of restoring dignity to human figures. He also worked towards a more realistic
depiction of space.
Major Works: Flight into Egypt (details on page 132)
Betrayal of Judus
Filippo Brunelleschi (1377—1446) p-132
An architect
In his designing of the churches he showed a systematic use of perspective.
He also introduced motif that was widely imitated during the Renaissance.
In 1420 he began to build the dome for the cathedral in Florence and it became the most original
construction in the building of domes in the world history of architecture.
Donatello (1386—1466) p-133
Italian sculptor renowned as a pioneer of the Renaissance style with his natural, lifelike figures.
Major works: David. ( the bronze statue )
The Gattamelata Equestrian Statue
Giorgione (Giorgio de Castelfranco, about 1477—1510) p-133
Italian painter and early master of the Venetian school.
The Venetian painters made happy use of colour schemes to unify his pictures. And it was in this
sphere that Giorgione achieved the most revolutionary results and influenced his contemporaries,
notably Titian.
His paintings are few, but his influence was great.
Major works: Tempesta (c. 1505)
Sleeping Venus (c. 1510).
 High Renaissance Artists
Leonardo da Vinci (1452—1519) p-134
Italian painter, sculptor, architect, engineer, musician, and scientist.
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The most versatile genius of the Renaissance, Leonardo filled 5000 notebooks with engineering
and scientific observations that were in some cases centuries ahead of their time.
In painting he stressed the expression of emotional states.
As a painter Leonardo is best known for The Last Supper (c. 1495) and Mona Lisa (c. 1503).
Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475—1564) p-135
Italian sculptor, painter, architect, and poet. A towering figure of the Renaissance.
Major works:
David (1501) (the marble sculpture),
Sistine Chapel (1508-1512)
Dying slave ( a marble statue )
Moses
Raphael (Raffaello Sancio, 1483—1520) p-136
Italian painter whose works, including religious subjects, portraits, and frescoes, exemplify the
ideals of the High Renaissance.
Raphael was best known for his Madonna
Madonna del Granduca
Madonna with the Fish
Madonna of the Chair
Madonna on the lawn
The Sistine Madonna
School of Athens
Because of his Madonnas with sweet expressions, he came to be known as the elegant Raphael.
Titian (about 1488—1576) p-137
Italian painter who introduced vigorous colors and the compositional use of backgrounds to the
Venetian school.
The father of the modern mode of painting.
Major works: The Venus of Urbino
Sacred and Profane Love
Madonna of the Pesaro Family
Man with the Glove
5). Decline of the Italian Renaissance p-138
Political aspect
Geological aspect
Religious aspect
wars
C. Reformation and Counter-Reformation
P138-139
The Reformation was a 16th century religious movement as well as a socio-political movement.
It begins with Martin Luther’s 95 thesis in 1517.
This movement aimed at opposing the absolute authority of the Roman Catholic Church and
replacing it with the absolute authority of the Bible,
The demands of the reformists:
---direct communication between the individual and God
---simplifying rituals
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---abolishing heavy taxes levied on their countrymen
---abolishing the indulgences
1) Pre-Luther Religious Reformers
John Wycliffe (about 1330—1384) p-139
Chief forerunner of Reformation. English theologian and religious reformer.
He believed that Christ is man’s only overlord and that salvation depends upon predestination
and grace rather than on membership of a visible church.
He took up the translation of the Bible into English for the first time.
Jan Hus (1372—1415)
A Bohemian Czech religious leader, theologian. Attacked the abuses of the Church/ was
imprisoned and exiled/ was burnt at stake / the Hus War
2) Martin Luther(1483—1546) and His Doctrines
Martin Luther was the German leader of the Protestant Reformation. His doctrine marked the first
break in the unity of the Catholic Church.
Beginning of the Reformation p-140
Translation of the Bible
Gospel of love and Ideas of Equality
In the history of Germany, Martin Luther was more than a religious leader, he was a fighter for
democracy and nationalism, a humanist who helped to build a competent educational system and a
writer whose forceful language helped fix the standards of the modern German language.
3) John Calvin (1509—1564) and Calvinism
Calvin was a French theologian.
His Institutes of the Christian Religion was considered one of the most influential theological
works of all times.
Presbyterian government
Calvinism stressed the absolute authority of the God’s will, holding that only those specially
elected by God are saved.
Calvinism was one of the main courses of the capitalist spirit
4) Reformation in England p-143
John Knox Scottish Presbyterianism
Henry VIII / matrimonial affairs / Catherine Aragon / Anne Boleyn
In 1534, the Act of Supremacy marked the formal break of the British with the papal authorities.
Thomas Cromwell---Vicar-General of the Church, King’s Chief Minister further broke from the
Pope, closed the monasteries, took away their land and introduced church reforms.
In England, the question of reform was not fundamentally one of belief or interpretation of the
Bible but one of rejection of the supremacy of the Pope.
5) Counter-Reformation p-144
Council of Trent
The sessions of the Council reaffirmed that the Church had the sole right to interpret the Bible.
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The Council declared that the Latin Vulgate of Jerome to be the definitive translation of the text.
It was also stressed that Catholicism was a religion of infallible authority.
The Catholic Reformation, that is, counter-reformation afterwards was to a great extent occupied
with the principles and requirements laid down at the council of Trent.
Ignatius and the Jesuits p-145
Ignatius was a Spaniard who devoted his life to defending the Roman Catholic Church.
Ignatius and his followers called themselves the Jesuits, members of the Society of Jesus.
Today the Society of Jesus is still active with a membership of 31000, having institutions in
various parts of the world.
6) Protestantism and the Rise of Capitalism p--146
Reformation movement broke the absolute authority of the Roman Catholic Church.
Protestantism came into being.
Liberal ideas
Science
Calvinism
Navigation and discoveries of new lands
7) Conclusion p—147
In education and cultural matters
In religion
In language
In spirit
D. Renaissance in Other Countries
The influence of the Italian Renaissance reached every corner of Europe.
In France…
In Spain
In the north: Flanders
In the Netherlands
In Germany
In England
In one word, Renaissance in Europe “produced giants in power of thought, passion and character,
in universality and learning.”
1) Renaissance in France
Historical Background
A whole generation of humanists emerged in France. They began to study Greek culture and
philosophy and this gave rise to writings of Ronsard, Rabelais and Montaigne.
The Chateau of the Loire Valley was a great landmark in architecture
In music, the beginning of polyphony
In religion, Calvanism won great popularity
Huguenots — the Protestant group in France
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Renaissance Writers in France
i.
Francois Rabelais (about 1483---1553)
ii.
Pleiade
iii.
Michel Eyques de Montaigne ( 1533---1592)
2) Renaissance in Spain
Historical Background
By 1479, the union of Castile and Aragon.
In 1492, Moors were driven out; Columbus discovered America and claimed America for Spain.
The 16th century, the beginning of the Golden age of Spanish literature.
Meanwhile, Polygolt Bible
Literature
Miguel de Cervantes (1547---1616) a novelist, a dramatist and a poet.
Don Quixote was a parody satirizing a very popular type of literature at the time, the romance of
chivalry. Its sources are romantic as well as realistic, truthful and imaginative. It is recognized as
the father of the modern European novel, and has had great impact on world literature.
Art
El Greco (1541---1614) a Spanish painter
Major Work: The Burial of Count Orgaz
3) Renaissance in the North
Renaissance in the Netherlands
Erasmus (about 1466?---1536) a great Dutch scholar and humanist. P-160
Work: The Praise of Folly
Renaissance in Flanders
Pieter Bruegel (the Elder) (about 1525---1569) a Flemish painter of landscape and scenes of rural
life. He was called peasant Bruegel
Major Works: The Land of Cockayne (1567)
The Return of the Hunters (1565)
Renaissance in Germany
Albrecht Durer (1471---1528)
He was the leader of the Renaissance in Germany.
He was a master of woodcut. His engravings are unsurpassed and his
Water colours of animals and plants are exceedingly sensitive.
Major Works: The Four Horsemen of Apocalpse
Knight, Death and Devil,1513
Hans Holbein (the younger) (1497--- 1543)
He was the last great German master of the 16th century. His best known works are his portraits.
Major Works: Erasmus of Rottendam
Portrait of Henry VIII
4) Renaissance in England
Historical Background
The War of Roses(1455—1485)
The Reign of Elizabeth I (1558 -- 1603 ) was a period of political and religious stability and
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economic prosperity.
The Church of England was re-established, ending the long time religious strife;
Commerce and industry forged ahead as a result of the enclosure movement at home and the
opening of new sea routes in the world.
England began to embark on the road to colonization and foreign control that was to take it onto
its heyday of capitalist development.
Thomas More (1477---1535)
A great humanist during the Renaissance. Lord Chancellor to Henry VIII. He resigned (!532) after
refusing to agree to the king’s divorce from Catherine of Aragon. When he refused to conform to
the Act of Supremacy, he was imprisoned, found guilty of treason and beheaded. Among his
writings the best known is Utopia (1516)
William Shakespeare (1564---1616)
English playwright and poet whose body of works is considered the greatest in English literature.
His plays, many of which were performed at the Globe Theatre in London, include
historical works, such as Richard II,
comedies, including Much Ado about Nothing and As You Like It,
and tragedies, such as Hamlet, Othello, and King Lear.
He also composed 154 sonnets.
The earliest collected edition of his plays, the First Folio, contained 36 plays and was published
posthumously (1623).
Taken as a whole, it could be said that Shakespeare’s early works showed optimism and his belief
that love and benevolence will triumph over everything and concern for a peaceful and unified
England whereas his later works, with deep insight, brought to light the contradiction between the
humanists and the dark and brutal feudal and capitalist reality.
E. Science and Technology during the Renaissance
The Renaissance, among other things, was a revolt against the medieval concepts and an age of
creation and discoveries.
1) Geographical Discoveries
a. Christopher Columbus (1451—1506)
Italian explorer in the service of Spain who determined that the earth was round and attempted to
reach Asia by sailing west from Europe, thereby discovering America (1492). He made three
subsequent voyages to the Caribbean in his quest for a sea route to China
b. Bartholomeu Dias (1466?--- 1500)
A Portuguese navigator who discovered the Cape of Good Hope in 1487.
c. Vasco da Gama (about 1460---1524)
A Portuguese explorer and colonial administrator. The first European to sail to India (1497-1498),
he opened the rich lands of the East to Portuguese trade and colonization.
d. Amerigo Vespucci (1457---1512)
Italian navigator and explorer of the South American coast. America was named in his honor.
2) Astronomy
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Nicolaus Copernicus (1473--- 1543)
A Polish astronomer who advanced the theory that the earth and other planets revolve around
the sun, disrupting the Ptolemaic system of astronomy.
He is known as father of modern astronomy.
3) Anatomy
a. Leonardo da Vinci (1452--- 1519)
a great anatomist in Italy and during his life time Leonardo dissected more than 30 corpses.
b. Andreas Vesalius (1514---1564)
A Flemish anatomist. The founder of modern medicine
His work Fabrica marked the beginning of a new era in the study of anatomy.
4) Printing
Aldus Manutius (1450---1515)
The foremost printer in Italy.
5) Political Science and Historiography
a. Dante (1265—1321)
Dante contributed a great deal to the establishment of the equality of the divine power and the
secular power. Although a poet, Dante was a great innovator. He regards Emperor and Pope as
independent, and both divinely appointed.
b. Niccolo Machiavelli (1469--- 1527)
An author and a statesman. He was called “Father of political science” in the West.
Works: Prince and Discourses
c. Giorgio Vosari (1511---1574)
Vosari was best known for his entertaining biographies of artists, Lives of the Artists (a study of
cultural history).
F. Summing-up
The Renaissance created a culture which freed man to discover and enjoy the world in a way not
possible under the medieval Church’s dispensation. In this release lay the way of development of
the modern world. The Reformation dealt the feudal theocracy a fatal blow. It shattered Medieval
Church’s stifling control over man, thus paving the way for capitalism
3. Task design
a. Tell us the three predominant figures in the High Renaissance. And you have to
work in pairs to discuss their specialty.
b. Work in groups to know the reasons for the flourishing of Renaissance in Italy. And
do a summary.
c. Read the additional material and get to know the contents of Reformation and
counter-reformation.
4. Practical Exercises
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Quiz 4
Multiple Choices:
11. Where did the Renaissance start with the flowering of paintings, sculpture and architecture?
____.
A. in Greece and Rome
B. in Florence and Venice
C. in Milan and Florence
D. in Italy and Germany
12. Which of the following works is written by Boccaccio? ____
A. Decameron
B. Canzoniers
C. David
D. Moses
13. Who is the author of the painting, Betrayal of Judas? _____
A. Giotto
B. Brunelleschi
C. Donatello
D. Giorgione
14. Which of the following High Renaissance artists is the father of the modern mode of painting?
____
A. Raphael
B. Titian
C. da Vinci
D. Michelangelo
15. Which of the following High Renaissance artists was best known for his Madona (Virgin
Mary)?___
A. Raphael
B. Titian
C. da Vinci
D. Michelangelo
16. Which of the following paintings was based on the story in the Bible with Maria riding on a
donkey ready to face the hardship ahead? _______
A. Sacred and Profane Love
B. Tempesta
C. The Return of The Huntersw
D. Flight into Egypt
17. Who took up the translation of the Bible into English for the first time? ____
A. Jan Hus
B. John Wycliff
C. Martin Luther D. John Calvin
18. After the formal break of the British with the papal authorities, who was the head of the
church? ___
A. King
B. Pope
C. Bishop
D. Queen
19. Who was the discoverer of the New World?
A. Columbus
B. Dias
C. da Gama
D. Vespucci
20. “To be, or not to be, ---- that is the question” from whose works? _______
A. Chaucer
B. Dante
C. Roger Bacon
D. Shakespeare
True or False:
21. The four representative artists of High Renaissance in Italy are Leonardo da Vinci,
Michelangelo, Raphael and Titian. ( )
22. The Reformation shattered Medieval Church’ stifling control over man, thus paving the way
for capitalism. ( )
23. The Renaissance reached its height in the 15th century with its center moving to Milan, then to
Rome, and created High Renaissance. ( )
24. Renaissance as a period in western civilization may be explained in different ways. But
generally speaking, it refers to the period between the 14th and mid 18th century. ( )
25. Titian was best known for his Madonna (Virgin Mary). He painted his Madonnas in different
postures, against different backgrounds. ( )
26. Titian was regarded as the father of the modern mode of painting. His painting is
acknowledged to have established oil colour on canvas as the typical medium of the pictorial
tradition in western art. ( )
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Fill in the Blanks:
27. Led by___, the Reformation which swept over the whole of Europe was aimed at opposing
the absolute authority of the Roman Catholic Church and replacing it with the absolute
authority of the ______.
Match:
28. Boccaccio
Decameron
29. Cervantes
Don Quixote
30. Shakespeare
King Lear
Explain the Following Terms:
31.
Renaissance
32.
Humanism
33.
Calvinism
34.
Reformation
35.
Counter-Reformation
Questions:
1. What made Italy the birthplace of the Renaissance?
2. What are the main elements of humanism? How are these elements reflected in art
and literature during the Italian Renaissance?
3. Why do we look upon Petrarch as the father of modern poetry?
4. How did Italian Renaissance art and architecture break away from medieval
tradition?
5. In what way was Da Vinci important during the Renaissance?
6. What are the doctrines of Martin Luther? What was the significance of the
Reformation in European civilization?
7. What was Counter-Reformation? Who were the Jesuits? Are they still active now?
8. What did French Renaissance writers propose in their writtings?
9. Why did England come later than other countries during the Renaissance? In what
way was English Renaissance different from that of other countries? Who were the
major figures and what were their contributions?
10. What were some of the scientific advances during the Renaissance?
IV. Assignments
Prepare an general introduction to culture, please use PPT to illustrate your opinion.
Time limit is 10 minutes. You may tell us any part you like according to our book. for
example, if you like the 18th century, you just tell us the most famous events or any
person you like best.
VII. Reference Material
1. 支顺福《文艺复兴》上海外语教育出版社 2001.10
2. 侯皓元《人类的故事》，143 页，陕西人民出版社 2005.5
3. 马林韬《“第一周波”：西方自由主义的文化革命》，31 页，社会科学文献出
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版社 2005.2
4. 华少庠《卓越与迷茫 欧洲文化发展进程综述》，西南交通大学出版社 2005.3
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Chapter Five
The Seventeenth Century
I. Teaching Objectives
1. get to know the historical context of The seventeenth Century
2. get to know the achievements of science in the seventeenth Century
3. remember some representatives in philosophy, politics and Literature in England
4. understand the Descartes’ theory
5. get to know the French classicism
6. remember some great figures and their representative works in baroque art
7. understand the great impact of the seventeenth century
II. The Points to Be Highlighted
1. The new science and philosophy gave a great push to the political struggle waged
by the newly emerged class, the bourgeoisie, and other classes.
2. Nicolaus Copernicus --Forerunner of modern science.
3. Kepler’s three laws of planetary motion
4. Sir Isaac Newton’s Achievements
III. Teaching Approaches
1. Questions and answers
2. Discussion
IV. Background Information
1. In the 17th century Europe advanced from the Middle Ages to the modern times.
2. This advance began in science, in astronomy, physics and pure mathematics,
owing to the work of Galileo, Kepler, Newton and Descartes. Their work helped to
create modern science and in a sense, the modern world. These scientists abandoned
the traditional reliance on authority and the accepted method of deductive reasoning.
Instead. they attached great importance to direct observation of nature and
experimentation. Numerous revolutionary concepts and inventions were developed
during this period. As the English philosopher Bertrand Russell points out, "Almost
everything that distinguishes the modern world from earlier centuries is attributable to
science, which achieved its most spectacular triumphs in the seventeenth century".
V. Teaching Procedures and Contents
1. Lead-in (or) Warming-up
You must have ever heard of the sentence, “I think, therefore I am.” Do you
know who said it? How much do you know about him?
What is the feature for the 17th century?
Do you ever hear those names: Galileo, Newton, Francis Bacon, and Rene
Descartes? When you watch TV, do you hear something about Baroque Art?
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Discuss in groups, choose the leaders from each group to tell us their opinion.
2. Specific Contents
A. General Introduction
1. This advance began in science, in astronomy, physics and pure mathematics, owning to
the work of Galileo, Kepler, Newton and Descartes.
2. The outlook of educated men was transformed.
3. The new science and philosophy gave a great push to the political struggle waged by the
newly emerged class, the bourgeoisie, and other classes.
4.
“ The modern world, so far as mental outlook is concerned, begins in the seventeenth
century.”
---- Bertrand Russell
B. Science
Logical progression:
17th century
18th century
19th century
20th century
physics and mathematics
chemistry
biology
psychology
1) From Copernicus to Kepler
Nicolaus Copernicus (1473--- 1543)
Forerunner of modern science.
His chief work The Revolution of the Heavenly Orbs was published in 1543. In this mathematical
description of the heavens, Copernicus put forward his heliocentric theory that the sun, not the
earth, is the center of the universe.
It laid the foundation for many future scientific discoveries.
Ptolemaic system: the earth was the center of the universe
Johannes Kepler (1571---1630)
Kepler’s Laws (three laws of planetary motion):
1). Each planet moves in an ellipse, not a perfect circle, with the sun at one focus;
2). Each planet moves more rapidly when near the sun than farther from it;
3). The distance of each planet from the sun bears a definite relation to the time period the
planet took to complete a revolution around the sun. This law was reduced to a mathematical
formula: the square of the period of revolution of a planet about the sun is proportional to the
cube of the mean distance of the planet from the sun.
These three laws formed the basis of all modern planetary astronomy and led to Newton’s
discovery of the laws of gravitation
2) Galileo Galilei (1564--- 1642)
He was the first to apply the telescope to the study of the skies.
What he saw in the sky with the help of the telescope proved that Ptolemy’s geocentric system
simply would not work and that Copernicus’s powerful hypothesis had been right.
Galileo discovered the importance of acceleration in dynamics.
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Galileo was also the first to establish the law of falling bodies.
3) Sir Isaac Newton (1642---1727)
Life Experience: P186
Achievements:
As a scientist, Newton displayed his talents in many fields.
As a mathematician, he invented calculus.
In optics, he discovered that white light is composed of all the colours of the spectrum.
Yet it was in the field of physics that Newton established his name.
Of all his achievements in physics, his discovery of the law of the universal gravitation is the
most important.
Works: P187
Influence: P187
4) Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibniz (1646--- 1716) P188
Leibniz was a German philosopher, scientist, mathematician, historian and diplomat.
He distinguishes three levels of understanding: the self-conscious, the conscious and unconscious
or subconscious.
Many of his theories have given rise to important developments of modern science, ranging from
Freudian psychology to Einsteinian physics.
5) Invention of New Instruments
p-189
The miscroscope was invented in 1590.
The telescope was invented in 1608 by a Dutchman.
Galileo invented the thermometer and one of his pupils made the barometer.
The pendulum clock appeared in 1656.
6) Two merits shared by the Great Scientists of the 17th Century P189
First, they showed boldness in forming hypotheses.
Second, they all had immense patience in observation.
The combination of the two merits brought about fundamental changes in man’s scientific and
philosophical thinking.
C. Philosophy, Politics and Literature in England
1)
Francis Bacon (1561---1626) p--190
An English philosopher, essayist and statesman.
Life experience: p-190
Major works: The Advancement of Learning (1605)
The New Atlantis (1610)
The Novum Organum (New Method) (1620) “ Knowledge is power.”
Essays (1625)
Modern Inductive Method:
Great instauration:
Baconian materialism
2) Thomas Hobbes (1588--- 1679)
English philosopher, Author of Leviathan
a) Hobbes’s Materialist Views
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b)
c)
d)
The Natural State of War
The Laws of Nature
The Theory of the Social Contract
3) John Locke (1632—1704)
a)
b)
c)
Locke’s Materialist Views
Locke’s Political Philosophy
The Social Contract
4) John Milton and the English Revolution
p-201
John Milton
Position in Revolution and Literature:
Life experience:
Epic poems: Paradise Lost
Paradise Regained
Samson Agonistes
English Revolution
D. Descartes; French Classicism
1) Rene Descartes (1596---1650)
a.
b.
c.
d.
The Method of Cartesian Doubt
Descartes’s Theory of Knowledge
Innate Ideas
Descartes’s Dualism
2) French Classicism
Classicism implies the revival of the forms and traditions of the ancient world, a return to works of
old Greek literature from Homer to Plato and Aristotle.
But French classicism of the 17th century was not conscious of being a classical revival. It
intended to produce a literature, French to the core, which was worthy of Greek and classical
ideals. This neoclassicism reached its climax in France in the 17th century.
Three characteristics were noticeable:
1). In the French classical literature, man was viewed as a social being consciously and willingly
subject to discipline;
2). Rationalism was believed to be able to discover the best principles of human conduct and the
universal principles of natural laws.
3). French classicism was fond of using classical forms, classical themes and values.
a) Pierre Corneille (1606—1684)
b) Jean Racine (1637---1699)
c) Moliere (1622--- 1673)
E. Art
1) Baroque art
Baroque art, flourished first in Italy, and then spread to Spain, Portugal, France in south Europe
and to Flander and the Netherlands in the North. It was characterized by dramatic intensity and
sentimental appeal with a lot of emphasis on light and colour.
a) Giovanni Lorenzo Bernini (1598---1680)
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Italian sculptor and architect, the prominent figure of Italian Baroque.
Major works: David 1623
The Ecstasy of St.Theresa 1645-1652
b) Michelangelo Caravaggio (1573--- 1610)
Italian painter of the baroque whose influential works, such as Deposition of Christ (1604), are
marked by intense realism and revolutionary use of light.
Major works: The calling of St. Matthew
The Cardsharps
c) Francesco Borromini (1599---1667)
Italian architect and sculptor of the baroque. He revolutionized architecture with his treatment of
space, light, and geometric shapes.
d) Peter Paul Rubens (1577--- 1640)
The greatest of painters of Flemish school.
Major works: Marie de Medici, Queen of France, Landing in Marseillies
The Raising of the Cross
e) Diego Velazquez (1599--Major work: The Maids of Honor
2) Dutch Protestant Art
Dutch art was a popular art that recorded the familiar scenes and everyday life of the time
There were also religious paintings at the time, but they were mostly pictures for private collection,
rather than altar pieces to be used for worship and praying.
Van Rijn Rembrandt (1606---1669)
The principal Dutch Baroque painter and etcher.
Major works: Blinding of Samson
The Polish Rider
3) Art and Architecture in France
mid 17th century, France the richest and the most powerful country in Europe.
Louis XIV the greatest patron.
Palace of Versailles Garden Front (1669 ---1685)
East Front of the Louvre (1667 --- 1685)
St. Paul’s Catherdral by the English scientist and architect Christopher Wren.
4) Music
Baroque Period roughly between 1600 and 1750. The term “baroque” was first applied to the
architecture of the period, with its proliferation of ornament, and then extended to its elaborate
paintings and music.
A distinction is usually common between early baroque music (prior to1650, Monteverdi,
Frescobaldi, Carissimi, etc.) and late baroque music (Scarlatti, Vivaldi, Bach, Handel, etc.), the
development of the latter leading to the Musical Enlightenment.
3. Task design
a. Look at the baroque art pictures in ppt and try to distinguish the different points
from other schools.
b. Let students read the material in book. Please discuss Kepler’s Laws. Can you
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translate them to us?
c. Read the essays of Bacon, can you tell us the characteristic of him? Try to explain
to us.
d. Listen to a piece of music, please tell the distinct feature of it. Try to compare it
with modern music.
4. Practical Exercises
Quiz 5
Multiple Choice:
1. The author of The Revolution of the Heavenly Orbs is ____.
A. Kepler
B. Copernicus
C. Galileo
D. Newton
2. Which of the following statements about Newton’s contribution to the science is NOT
true?
A. He discovered the law of the universal gravitation
B. He invented calculus.
C. He discovered that white light is composed of all the colors of the spectrum.
D. He discovered the law of relativity.
3. Which of the following about Galileo is NOT true? _____
A. He invented the telescope and was the first to apply the telescope to the study of the
skies.
B. He discovered the law of inertia
C. He discovered the importance of acceleration in dynamics.
D. He was the first to establish the law of falling bodies.
4. The first major advance of modern science occurred in ____
A. anatomy
B. astronomy
C. printing
D. geographical discoveries
5. Who ever said that “Knowledge is power”? _____
A. Shakespeare
B. Francis Bacon
C. Thomas Hobbes
D. John Locke
6. Which of the following works is NOT written by John Milton? _______
A. Paradise Lost
B. Areopagitica
C. Samson Agonistes
D. Andromaque
7. Which of the following philosophers ever said “I think therefore I am.”? ____
A. Francis Bacon
B. Pierre Gassendi
C. Descartes
D. John Locke
8. Which of the following artists helped to bring the Roman Baroque style to its climax?
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A. Rubens
B. Borromini
C. Caravggio
D. Bernini
9. Which of the following artists helped to spread the Baroque style to North Europe?
A. Rubens
B. Velazquez
C. Borromini
D. Bernini
th
10. In the middle of the 17 century, which country was the richest and the most powerful
country in Europe? _______
A. Flander
B. the Netherlands
C. England D. France
Questions:
1. What were Galileo's contributions to modern science?
2. Why is Newton generally considered being the greatest scientist that ever lived?
3. Why do we say that Bacon was a founder of modern philosophy?
5. What is the theme of John Milton's Paradise Lost?
6. What are some of the characteristics of Baroque art?
VI. Assignments
Prepare a general introduction to culture, please use PPT to illustrate your opinion.
Time limit is 10 minutes. You may tell us any part you like according to our book. For
example, if you like the 18th century, you just tell us the most famous events or any
person you like best.
VII. Reference Material
1. http://en.wikipedia.org
2. http://www.jshlzx.net
3. http://www.ecic.net
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