古希腊罗马神话故事对英国文学的影响-英语专业毕业论文.doc

2015届本科生毕业设计（论文）

题 目： 古希腊罗马神话故事对英国文学的影响
英文题目： The Influence of Greco-Roman
Mythology on English Literature

学 生 姓 名： 曾育婷
院 系： 外国语学院英语系
届 别： 2015届
专业、班级 ： 英语专业1班
学 号 ： 080520110003
指 导 教 师： 常文彩
　　　　　　　　 完 成 日 期： 2015年6月5日
二 0 一 五 年 六 月
Acknowledgements
In the course of writing this thesis, I received a lot of help and support from my teachers and friends, and I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to all who have helped me.
First and foremost, I want to give my profound thanks to my supervisor, Chang Wencai, for her constant encouragement, critical instructions, great care and precious advice and suggestions. With her help, this thesis appears in the present form.
I also owe my sincere gratitude to my friends and my fellow classmates who gave me their support and helped me work out the problems I encountered when writing the thesis.
Thank you very much.

摘要
古希腊罗马神话作为西方文明的源头之一，对西方文化产生了深远的影响。英国文学是继古希腊罗马文化之后的又一颗璀璨的明珠。许多英国文豪都在神话中寻觅着灵感。细心品味，我们不难发现在各种类型的英国文学作品中散落着的美丽而神秘的古希腊罗马神话故事。作为一名英语学习者，如果我们没有足够的希腊罗马神话知识，它们将成为我们欣赏作品的障碍。因此，一定程度地掌握古希腊罗马神话对了解和赏析经典文学作品，提高审美能力和想象力是非常有必要的。

关键词：古希腊罗马神话；英国文学；诗歌；想象力；

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Abstract
Greek and Roman mythology is one of the origins of the western civilization, which has a far-reaching influence on the western culture. English literature is another crystal of human being’s wisdom after the Greco-Roman mythology. Many famous writers continuously sought inspiration in the myths. It is easy for us to find that there are so many works closely related to the Greco-Roman mythology. The influence of Greco-Roman mythology upon English literature is beyond description. As an English learner, if we don’t have enough knowledge of Greek and Roman mythology, it is hard for us to understand and appreciate many classical works. Therefore, it is necessary for us to know more about the Greco-Roman mythology, which can help us to understand the classic literary works and improve an appreciation of aesthetics and imagination.

Key Words: Greco-Roman mythology; English literature; poem; imagination

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Contents
Acknowledgements
Abstract (Chinese) ii
Abstract (English) iii
Introduction 1
Chapter One Historical Origin and Influence of Greco-Roman Mythology 2
1.1 Origin and Combination of Greek and Roman Mythology 2
1.2 Impact of Greco-Roman Mythology on Western Culture 3
Chapter Two The Influence of Greco-Roman Mythology on English Literature 5
2.1 The Mythological Theme of English Poetry and Drama in the Period of Renaissance 5
2.2 On the Use of Greek and Roman Myths in British Romantic Poetry 7
2.3 The Mythological Complex of English Novelists and Dramatists in the Period of Realism 9
Chapter Three Realistic Significance of Studying Greek and Roman Myths 11
3.1 Stimulate Modern People’s Imagination 11
3.2 Practical Significance for English Learners 11
Conclusion 13
Bibliography 14

Introduction
Each nation has its own beautiful myths and legends. Greco-Roman mythology is one of the origins of the western civilization, which is the beautiful sediment of the splendid civilization of human beings. Also, it contains a rich and precious literary heritage, which is left by ancient Greek and Roman people. Karl Marx once said: “Greek mythology and epic is the perfect product of human childhood development, with permanent charm. Because of this kind of enduring charm, it stimulates millions of people’s interest in reading and slowly tasting the beautiful and touching legends of Greco-Roman mythological stories. Moreover, English literature is another crystal of mankind’s wisdom after the Creco-Roman culture, enduring and enriching generations. If you patiently read and taste carefully, it is not hard for you to find that there are so many works are closely related to the ancient myths. And as an English learner, if we have little about Greco-Roman mythology, these stories will become the barriers in reading such kind of English literary works. While if we know some about it, it will be the key for us to understand and appreciate the works more completely. So the Greco-Roman myths in the western world is very important, people often judge one’s education level from his understanding of the Greek and Roman myths As Bulfinch said, “without a knowledge of mythology, much of the elegant literature of our own language cannot be understood” (Bulfinch, 2000:2). Obviously, Greco-Roman mythology plays an integral part in the western culture. As a student of English major, it is necessary for us to know more about the Greco-Roman mythology, which is good for us to shape western culture and the way of western people think. In my opinion, Greco-Roman myths are not only the products of the imagination, but also a door open for us to appreciate thousands of cultural charm of western world.
This thesis analyses the influence of Greco-Roman mythology on English literature. There are three parts in this thesis. The first part gives an introduction of the origin and combination of the Greek and Roman myths and its influence on the western world. The second part discusses that the Greco-Roman mythology had a great impact on the three important trends of thoughts of English literature. The third part talks about the practical meanings of learning Greco-Roman mythology.

Chapter One Historical Origin and Influence of Greco-Roman Mythology
1.1 Origin and Combination of Greek and Roman Mythology
Ancient Greek civilization flowered more than 2500 years ago and provided the foundation of western culture. The deepest expression of Greek ideology lays in its mythology. It is so rich that its legacy has endured to the present day. Greek myths, originally transmitted orally, were narratives concerning ancient Greek religion. It is often concerned with the actions of gods and other supernatural beings and of heroes, who transcend human bounds.
Major sources for Greek myths include Hesiod’s Theogony and the Homeric epics. Hesiod was the first great author, who wrote Theogony in the eighth century BCE. This was a long poem in which he attempted to collect together all the myths that had been handed down orally and organized them into a comprehensive genealogy. Homer, who wrote two great epic poems, one is the Iliad, the other is Odyssey. The two excellent epics are thought to have been composed towards the end of the eighth century BCE. The Iliad chiefly recounts events that took place during the Trojan War. It concentrates on key heroic figures such as Achilles, Agamemnon and Hector. However, Odyssey relates to adventures of Odysseus on his return journey from Troy. Although he used historical materials, Homer’s aim was not so much to record past events as to give an exciting account of heroic action.
Roman myths are viewed mostly from the frame of its Greek legacy. Some people think that Roman mythology largely seems as a copy of Greek mythology. In fact, that is not completely true. In the very beginning, the Romans regarded their deities more as powers than as persons. At that time, they had developed their own mythology. Their deities didn’t have human motives, they didn’t fight or marry or have love affairs with human beings. Only after Romans began to contact with Greek splendid culture, they gradually represented their gods in human forms. At the same time, most of the Greek gods were adopted by the Romans, although in most cases only change of names. For example, Zeus is the god of sky and thunder and the ruler of the Olympians of Mount Olympus. The name of Zeus is cognate with the first element of Roman Jupiter, and Zeus and Jupiter became closely identified with each other. This kind of example goes on and on. As time went by, we know that the Greek myths and Roman myths are deeply connected, which has gradually developed “the Greco-Roman Mythology.”

1.2 Impact of Greco-Roman Mythology on Western Culture
Ancient Greek and Roman civilization are the origin of the western civilization. As cultural carries, the Greco-Roman mythology contain abundant connotation, and deeply affect the formation and development of the western culture.
First and most, according to careful investigation and study, linguists found that Greek and Roman myths had a great influence on English language until now. There are a great number of words, idioms related to some images in the myths, and influenced the name of some places, months, constellations, animals and plants as well. Most of these words are very common to us, such as “January,” “narcissus,” “Europe,” “Athens”, “Mars” and so on. On the meanwhile, it is not difficult for us to find that there are a large number of phrases and idioms can date back to the ancient myths, such as “Achilles’ Heel”, “The sword of Damocles”, “A freedom of Pan”, “Cupid’s Bow” and “Pandora’s box”, which known to us. Each of these words is not only the treasure of language, glittering with luster of the wisdom of ancestors, but also the deposit of western culture, loading with massive western history.
Moreover, Greek and Roman mythology have a profound impact on both English and American culture. They are widely used in many fields, such as economy, politics, arts and people’s daily life. Over time, it has become an indispensable part of mythical thinking of western people. Let me give just a few examples.
“What will it be when the increase of yearly production is brought to a complete stop? Here is the vulnerable place, the heel of Achilles, for capitalistic production.” (Friedrich Engels)
The heel of Achilles means a deadly weakness, in spite of overall strength, which actually leads to downfall. In Greek mythology, when Achilles was a baby, it was foretold that he would die young. His mother Thetis to prevent the death of her son, taking Achilles to the River Styx, which was suppose to offer powers of invulnerability, and dipped his body into the water. But as Thetis held Achilles by the heel, his heel was not washed over by the water of the magical river. Achilles grew up to be a man of war who survived many great battles. However, in one day, a poisonous arrow shot at his heel, killing him shortly. While the mythological origin refers to a physical vulnerability, idiomatic references to other attributes or qualities that can lead to downfall are common.
Next, I’d like to take Nike Inc. for example, Nike, which is a U.S. manufacturer of athletic shoes, apparel, and sports equipment. If you have read Greek mythology, you may know that Nike is a Greek goddess, who personifies victory. In western world, the name of Nike is very familiar with them. They can easily remember the brand. Nike Inc. also used a symbol of the Greek goddess of the trademark wings SWOOSH, on behalf of “speed and dynamic.” From my point of view, a good name of a company or brand is one of the secret of its success.
Therefore, the Greco-Roman mythology is rich, extensive and profound. Also, it has contributed tremendously to the progress of the western culture.

Chapter Two The Influence of Greco-Roman Mythology on English Literature
2.1 The Mythological Theme of English Poetry and Drama in the Period of Renaissance
As an important carrier of Greek and Roman culture, the Greco-Roman mythology has exerted profound influence on English literature. Especially in the period of Renaissance, the ancient myths served as sources of lively inspiration for artistic creation.
Renaissance refers to the rebirth of people’s interests in Greek and Latin classical art and literature. Actually, there are a great number of British scholars who have translated a vast quantity of Greek and Roman literature works into English language during the 16th century. And English literature has developed with a great speed in Elizabethan period. The most distinctive achievement is the drama. The lyrical poetry has also developed and was remarkable for its variety and freshness and romantic feelings. England has become “a nest of singing birds”, because of a vigorous literary culture in both poetry and drama. In this period, many British poets and writers have adopted the Greek and Roman myths as the theme of their works.
Edmund Spenser is often regarded as “the poet’s poet.” He is generally considered as the greatest non-dramatic poet of the Elizabethan period. He wrote the great epic poem The Faerie Queene. This great epic poem had a strong influence on English literature. It is not only written in a special verse form, which has since been called the Spenserian Stanza, but also used a lot of classic myths, abundant allusions from classical and medieval myths, and metaphor. He borrowed a lot of the great epics of antiquity: Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey and Virgil’s Aeneid. The following is the excerpt from The Faerie Queene.
“Like as whylome that strong Tirynthian swaine, 
Brought forth with him the dreadfull dog of hell,
Against his will fast bound in yron chaine, 
And roring horribly, did him compel  
To see the hatefull sunne, that he might tell 
To griesly Pluto, what on earth was donne, 
And to the other damned ghosts, which dwell
For aye in darkenesse, which day light doth shonne:  
So led this Knight his captyue with like conquest wonne.”
[Edmund Spenser (1552-1559): The Faerie Queene VI.XII.35]
In Greco-Roman mythology, Pluto is the Roman name of Hades, he is the god of the underworld and the dead, terminally ill, and those wounded in battle. Pluto rarely leaves the underworld. He rules the dead assisted by various demonic helpers, such as Thanatos and Hypnos, the ferryman Charon, and the hound Cerberu’s. Spenser’s poem used a lot of metaphor to stand for the evil forces so as to convey the heroic knights.
The epoch of Renaissance has witnessed a particular development of English drama. There were emerging a group number of great dramatists, such as Christopher Marlowe, William Shakespeare and Robert Greene. There’s no doubt that all of them have allusively cited from the Greek and Roman mythology at all times in their works. Therefore, I’d like to take one of them, William Shakespeare, for instance.
Certainly, William Shakespeare is the most influential writer in all of English literature. Also, he is the most important playwright of the English Renaissance. During the 22 years of his literary career, he produced 37 plays, 54 sonnets and some famous long poems. No wonder people say that Shakespeare belongs to the 16th century.
Shakespeare embraced the English Renaissance movement through his works in many works. His works always shine with the flame of humanity. In his plays, Shakespeare showed his great knowledge of the ancient Greco-Roman mythology, while previous playwrights would have