brief outline of english literature

8/10/2019 Brief Outline of English Literature

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BRIEF OUTLINE OF

ENGLISH LITERATUREENGLISH AND AMERICAN LITERATURE 2014-2015


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OLD ENGLISH LITERATURE

Old English, or Anglo-Saxon, was written from

about 400/600 1100 A.D.

The greatest Old English poem is a long epiccalled Beowulf,whose author is unknown.

Two Old English authors that are known by nameare Caedmon, the author of a short hymn, andCynwulf, the author of four long poems.


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MIDDLE ENGLISH LITERATUREMiddle English was used from about 1100 to about 1500 A.

Poetry:

The most important poet of the time is Geoffrey Chaucer.His greatest work is the Canterbury Tales.

Drama:The three main types of medieval drama are mystery plays(about Bible stories), miracle plays (about the lives of sainand the miracles they performed), and morality plays (inwhich the characters personify moral qualities (such ascharity or vice) or abstractions (as death or youth) andwhich moral lessons are taught.


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ELIZABETHAN LITERATUREThis is a literature written approximately during the time Queen Elizabeth (1558-1603)

Poetry:

The most important poets include Edmund Spencer (TheFaerie Queene), Walter Raleigh, and William Shakespeare.

Drama:

Drama is the greatest form written during the Elizabethanage. William Shakespeare is considered one of the greatesplaywrights of all time. His best works include Hamlet, KinLear, Macbeth, Othello, and Merchant of Venice. Otherimportant dramatists include Christopher Marlowe and BenJohnson.


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THE AGE OF MILTON

The most important poet after the Elizabethanperiod is John Milton. His greatest work is the ep

Paradise Lost.

One of the best poets of this period is RobertHerrick, who is famous for his beautiful lyrics or

songs.


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RESTORATION DRAMA

A great change in literature happened after

Charles II became king. After a period of closing,the theatres were reopened and new forms of

drama appeared.

The main forms of drama of this period are theheroic palys, as written by John Dryden; and the

comedy of manners, as written by Richard

Sheridan and William Congreve.


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NEOCLASSICISM

The main characteristics of Neoclassicism are

1. Poetry should be guided by reason.2. The role of the poet is that of the teacher.

3. Poetry should be written according to fixedrules.

4. Poetry should use special diction.

The major representatives of this school are JohnDryden and Alexander Pope.


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ROMANTICISM

The main characteristics of Romantic poetry are

1. Poetry is the expression of personal feelings anemotions

2. Imaginations is a main source of poetry.

3. Nature in Romantic poetry is a living thing, a

teacher of man, and a healing power.

Some important Romantic poets are Wordsworth,Keats, Byron, Shelley, and Coleridge.


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THE VICTORIAN PERIOD

It includes the second half of the nineteenth century.

Poetry:

Alfred Tennyson and Browning are the major poets of the period.

Novel:

The Novel was the main literary production of the Victorian perio

This was the time of Dickens, Jane Austen, Emily Bronte, Eliot, anHardy.

Drama:

The best dramatist of the period is Oscar Wilde. His masterpiece

Importance of Being Ernest.


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THE TWENTIETH CENTURY

As the result of the political changes and the world

wars, the sense of confidence in Victorian literature

replaced by the loss of faith, suffering, and uncertaithat modern literature expresses.

Stylistic experimentation and revolution against all

literary traditions are the mark of modern literature

Some major literary figures include W.B. Yeats, T.S. E

and W.H. Auden in poetry; Virginia Wolf and James J

in the novel; and Samuel Becket in drama.


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brief outline of english literature

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