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Contextualizing the Vikings in Anglo-Saxon History and Literature
Gigov, Jana ; Znojemská, Helena (advisor) ; Čermák, Jan (referee)
"Contextualizing the Vikings in Anglo-Saxon History and Literature" examines the Scandinavian impact of Viking presence in Anglo-Saxon England during the so-called First and Second Viking Age, concentrating on the portrayals of the Viking activity in Anglo-Saxon chronicles and annals, as well as Scandinavian (chiefly Icelandic and Danish) sources. It aims to identify the patterns of representation in those portrayals and their development relative to the historical events of the period, the political situation in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, the state and progress of the Church, and contemporary literary tendencies, including the influence of heroic literature and the development of the Anglo-Saxon kingship. Three distinct accounts that came into existence as a result of the Viking invasion of England in 866 are examined. Three main traditions can be discerned - the Scandinavian tradition, reflecting the battle of York, the slaying of king Ella and king Edmund, the East Anglian tradition, reflecting the slaying of king Edmund, and the Wessex tradition, reflecting king Alfred's struggle with the Danes. The thesis proposes to trace the historical origins and development of these traditions, attempting to discern their historical and fictional elements by comparing them with the record of the historical...
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The Attitude of Characters towards the Environment in the Novels of Thomas Hardy
PEŠKOVÁ, Veronika
The diploma thesis is focused on analysis, comparison and interpretation of Thomas Hardy?s literary work, especially on the attitude of characters towards the environment in the chosen ?Wessex novels? by Thomas Hardy. The principle of this work is to contextualize and characterize Hardy?s writings in general, together with his historical background and philosophical inspiration, which influenced his concept of space. The main aim is to point out the importance of the environment in Hardy?s literary work, problems of his protagonists? existence and their tragic fatality stemming for their connection with the place they dwell in. Furthermore, this thesis underlines other, mainly social circumstances that influence characters? lives. Another aim is to concentrate on the development of themes and motifs and to find out how Hardy?s work develops in particular, chronologically ordered novels. Answers to these questions can be found in the fundamental part of the diploma thesis, which is based on literary analysis of particular novels, in which the environment plays the very crucial role.
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