History of English Literature

The presentation highlights the major periods or the eras of English Literature dated from Anglo-Saxon till 20th century i.e. the Modern Era. It shows the political, social, economic background of the ages.

1. Major Periods Of English Literature Presented By – Muskan Solanki

2. What is Literature’ ? It is the art of Written work. It literally means “Things made from letters”. Literature is commonly classified as having two major forms Fiction & Non-fiction and two major techniques – Poetry & Prose It may consists of texts based on factual information or imagination . Literature can also be classified according to historical periods , genres and political influences.

3. Important historical periods in English Literature - 450-1100 (7 th -11 th century) – Anglo Saxon & Norman Literature Or Old English Literature 1350-1400 (Later 14 th Century) – The age of Geoffrey Chaucer 1400 – 1550 – Early Renaissance Or The Revival Of Learning 1550 – 1620 – The age of Elizabeth Or The age of Shakespeare 1625 – 1660 – The age of Milton 1660 – 1700 – The age of John Dryden 1700 – 1750 – The age of Alexander Pope 1750 – 1798 – The age of Transition or Age of Dr. Samuel Johnson 1798 – 1850 – The age of Wordsworth 1850 – 1900 – Victorian age 20 th century – Modern age

4. Anglo Saxon and Norman Literature Or Old English literature (450-1100)

5. Anglo Saxon literature encompasses literature written in old english during 600 year Anglo-Saxon period of England These works include genres such as epic, poetry, hagiography, sermons, Bible translations, legal works, chronicles, riddles and others. 400 surviving manuscripts texts with little in common. Frequently reflect non-English influence. Among the most important work of this period is the poem Beowulf, “The Wanderer” A writer of this time was Bede. His famous book “The history of the English church ” Anglo Saxon is classified under the following four heads- Personal and Elegiac poems War songs the riddles The Epic poems

6. The AGE OF GEOFFERY CHAUCER (1350-1400)

7. Geoffrey Chaucer was born in London sometime around 1343. He is also known as the Father of English Literature and is widely considered the greatest English poet of the middle ages. He achieved fame during his lifetime as an author, philosopher, alchemist and astronomer. His works include The Canterbury Tales, The Book of the Duchess, The House of Fame, the Legend of good Women. This period was of great political, social, religious and literary activity. other famous poets of this era were John Gower, William Langland etc.

8. Early Renaissance Or The Revival of Learning (1400-1550)

9. A period from the early 1300’s to roughly 1600 when there was a renewed interest in history literature and art. Renaissance = “Rebirth” Renewed study of ancient Greece and Rome Europe’s economic recovery

10. Origins The period coincided with the decline of medieval European civilization. It was both a political and economic movement as well as a cultural and artistic one. The Renaissance was a period of commercial, financial, political, and cultural awakening, first in Italy and then in northern Europe. The northern Italian cities led a commercial renewal; especially cities such as Venice, Genoa, and Milan.

11. The Age of Shakespeare Or The Age of Elizabeth (1550-1620)

12. The Elizabethan Age of English Literature coincides with the reign of Elizabeth I, 1558 - 1603. During this time, medieval tradition was blended with Renaissance optimism. Lyric poetry, prose, and drama were the major styles of literature that flowered during the Elizabethan Age. Some important writers of the Elizabethan Age include William Shakespeare, Christopher Marlowe, Edmund Spenser, Sir Walter Raleigh, and Ben Jonson.

13. General characteristics of Elizabethan literature - It was mainly dominated, however, by the spirit of romance it was also full of the spirit of dramatic action influenced by the literature of Italy literary spirit was all pervasive the period has the great variety of almost unlimited creative force, period of experimentation

14. Shakespeare (1564-1616) considered to be the greatest playwright in the world. invented a lot of words and invented expressions that we still use today! understood the human personality. wrote about individuals: Hamlet, Macbeth, Julius Caesar, Othello, Romeo & Juliet. wrote comedies: Much Ado About Nothing, A Midsummer’s Night Dream wrote tragedies: Romeo & Juliet, Hamlet, King Lear, Macbeth, Othello was a Renaissance humanist: He wrote about people and understood human nature.

15. The Age of Milton or The Age of Puritanism (1625-1660)

16. It was also known as Puritanism. Decline in Literature The output of poetry is much smaller There is a mass decay in exaltic poetic servour of previous age. Expansion of Prose

17. Two Classes of poets in this Period - Metaphysical Poetry Cavalier Poetry Started by John Donne They were secular poets Deal with thought development & blend of passion Deal with subject of love Lyrical in nature They followed Ben Johnson Full of learnt imagery & striking conceits There work is simple, highly polished & graceful structure Major Poets – John Donne, Crashaw, Vaughan, Marvell.. Major works – The Anniversary, The Elegy, The songs & Sonnets and Poetry. Major Poets – Herrick, Thomas Carew, Richard Lovelace, Sir John Suckling… Major Works – The night piece of Julia, Ask me no more Rapture, Going to the vast, Ballad upon a wedding .

18. The Age of John Dryden (1660-1700)

19. Break from the Elizabethan Tradition Imitation of the ancients Imitation of the French. Famous French Writers are Pascal, Bossuet, Matherbe, Corneille, Racine, Moliere. Development of Poetry Satire was cultivated with great assiduity Great Satires of Dryden are- Absalom and Achitophel Medal Mac Flecknot

20. The Age of Alexander Pope (1700-1750)

21. Also known as Augustan Age and New-Classical age The age of reason and good sense Religious and Philosophical thought of the age The French influence First Follow Nature The main works of Pope are – The Rape of the lock Essay on Criticism The Essay on Man

22. The Age of Transition Or The Age of Dr. Samuel JHONSON (1750-1798)

23. An era of change from pseudo classicism to romanticism, French revolution of 1789 was the climax to long deeply diffused unrest, categorized by mild renaissance of learning, rise of middle class, characterized by rapid growth of democracy, stress was laid on individual worth of man, in poetry we find co existence of double tendency, poets completely abandoned the classical tradition and became the fore bearers of era of romanticism

24. Renaissance of wonder Or The Age of wordsworth (1798-1850)

25. Constitute an era of rapid social change took place between 1776-1832. Progress of social change accelerated by war with France which lasted till 1815, Series of scientific inventions gave England a new and vast revolutionary industry agriculture and scientific methods of farming evolved

26. Victorian age (1850-1900)

27. Region of Queen Victoria extends from 1837-1901, Era of material influence, political consciousness, democratic reforms , industrial and mechanical progress crime and war stir in England, poor living condition were there social reformers took initiative for poor, age of humanitarian consideration, education expanded, still religious and moral were important and had great importance

28. Modern age 20 th century

29. new writers rejected the doctrine of art for art sake and supported art for life sake, took action for better living of poor, poor became raw material of writing, economic and social changes, rapid industrial expansion led to agriculture depression, poets used hard dry use of exact word and produced poetry that is hard and clear

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