History of English Literaure- 1350- 1900

This is my class presentation of M.A, Sem-1 on Paper no.: 105A: History of English Literature – From 1350 to 1900. In this presentation I am dealing with general characteristics of all the ages. Here, I have tried to bring out the outline of history of English Literature.

1. Department of English, MKBU Change in Historical Period: Age of Chaucer to The Victorian Age. Prepared by Jheel Barad

2. I am Jheel Barad Roll No.: 18 Enrollment no.: 4069206420210003 Sem.: 1 (M.A.) Paper no.: 105 A Paper code: 22396 Paper name: History of English Literature- from 1350 to 1900 Topic: Change in Historical Period from Age of Chaucer to Victorian age. Submitted to: Smt S.B. Gardi, Department of English, M.K.B.U E-mail- [email protected] ‹#›

3. Age of Chaucer (1350- 1400) 14th century is remarked in history for: 100 years war Balck death Peasant revo lt People were discontent and at unrest. Heavy taxation. 1/3rd population died, labour was scarce, no demand of things. Geoffrey Chaucer was the greatest writer of this age, prose emerged. Opening moment for english literature. Chaucer is the father of english literature. ‹#›

4. Transition period- decline of age of Chaucer and p reparation for age of Elizabeth. It began with chaos and wars but settled with reformed religion. Henry VII became kiing and encouraged education, sent scholars to study classics. It is also an age of reformation, religious reformation against rigid practices of catholic church. General standard of literature was very low- no great english work appeared . Remarkable for; intellectual progress, introduction of printing, discovery of America and growth of political power Miracle and mystery play were most popular form of entertainment. ‹#› The revival of learning (1400-1550)

5. Golden age of English Literature It marks strong national spirit, patriotism , religious tolerance, social content, intellectual progress and unbounded enthusiasm . Development of drama: age of thought, feeling and action Produced remarkable poetry: variety, freshness, youthful and romantic feeling Both has Italian influence. Literature of Renaissance (newness, revival of greek and italian). Shakesprance age- prominent writer, his writing was referred as Early Modern English. Gave Greatest writer of English Language. ‹#› Age of Elizabeth (1550-1620)

6. The Puritan Age (1620-1660) The puritan period existed till 1675 for two reasons ; puritan ideals were alive and the greatest writer of the age was Puritan, John Milton. The age of moral and political revolution. Puritans overthrew monarchy , beheaded Charles I and established Commonwealth under Cromwell. Overlaps Elizabethan age from one side and Restoration from other. ‹#›

7. It has great variety in literature due to change in political and religious ideals. Differs from Elizabethan age: no unity of spirit; Literature was sombre, it saddens; critical and intellectual. Literature of this age was divided into four parts Transition poets The Spenserian poets The metaphysical poets The Cavaliers John Bunyan has also given an exceptional work ‘Pilgrim’s Progress’ ‹#›

8. Period of Restoration (1660-1700) Tremendous social reaction from the restraints of Puritans. Charles II was throned, he brought the influence of France with him. For a generation many natural pleasures were suppressed; theatres reopened, bull and bear baiting revived along with sports, music and dancing. Politically country was divided in Whigs ( seeking liberty for the people) and Tories (upholding kings). Religion conflict as Charles II was Anglican and James II Catholic. As they lack excellence of elizabethan age they turned to great classicism . The dramas were influenced or copied from French. This age marks birth of modern English prose as it was age of intellectualism and rationalism. John dryden was the greatest writer of the age, he established heroic couplet in English poetry. It is also known as age of dryden. ‹#›

9. Age of E nlightenment- Period of scientific and wisdom thought . First half is neoclassical / Augustan / age of Pope as writers imitated classical Roman writer. Second half is Age of Transition / Pre- romantic Age. Second half included English revolution (1688), beginning of French Revolution (1789) and Industrial revolution. Rise of two political parties. The period begins in 1689 with the adoption of Bill of right (1689); final step in the establishment of constitutional government. This strife has direct influence on literature, many writers were used by them for their personal interest and to satirize their enemies. 18th Century Literature (1700-1800) ‹#›

10. ‹#› Age had rapid social development but the moral standards of people was very low. First half century was age of prose. Polished, unimaginative and formal. Modern newspaper began in this age. Prose and poetry was this age were frequently satiric. Poetry were modified in later part of the century. Dictionary was also introduced for the first time by Samuel Johnson.

11. Age of Romanticism (1800-1850) This age is return to Nature. Romantic age began with publication of Lyrical Ballads in 1798. Supported the idea of French Revolution, overthrowing the Monarchy. This age is also known as ‘Age of Revolution’ and ‘Age of Industrial revolution’. Sweeping changes were taking place during late 17th century and 18th century in social, political, industrial and literary sphere. T he literature was largely on poetical form and romantic in spirit. Simple, common people language was used. ‹#›

12. ‹#› Emphasis was laid on nature, Feelings and emotions gained the center stage, Imagination was celebrated . The writers wrote with so excellency in the later part of age that it became ‘Second Creative Period on English Literature’. Six chief characteristics of this age - prevalence of romantic poetry, creation of historical novel, first appearance of romantic novel, development of literary criticism, the practical and economic bent, establishment of magazines.

13. ‹#› The Victorian Age (1850- 1900) Next golden period after Elizabethan Age and longest in the English period. The modern period of progress and unrest. It began with the reign of Queen Victoria (1837 1901). There was lot of material development, intellectuality increased. Victorian age is about realism. Romanticism is escapism from reality, Wordsworth in 1835 wrote in poem ‘Extempore Effusion upon the Death of James Hogg’ “From sunshine to a sunless land” when literature was going towards reality from imagination.

14. ‹#› Beginning of modern era, high use of science and technology. Remarkable for the growth of democracy. Literature of this age was very close to everyday life. Talked about social problems, influence of science and religion. Novel was most popular form of literature. Literature of this age gave moral preaching than entertainment.

15. REFERENCES: Long, William. “ENGLISH LITERATURE.” Accessed December 10, 2021. https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/10609/pg10609-images.html . Ward, Adolphus. “Chaucer | Anglo Saxon and Medieval Literature.” Cambridge University Press. Accessed December 10, 2021. https://www.cambridge.org/gb/academic/subjects/literature/anglo-saxon-and-medieval-literature/chaucer, https://www.cambridge.org/gb/academic/subjects/literature/anglo-saxon-and-medieval-literature . Wordsworth, William. “Extempore Effusion upon the Death of James Hogg by William Wordsworth.” Text/html. Poetry Foundation. Poetry Foundation, December 9, 2021. Https://www.poetryfoundation.org/. https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45517/extempore-effusion-upon-the-death-of-james-hogg . ‹#›

16. ‹#›