History of English literature

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History of English literature

English literature has a rich and diverse history, stretching back over a thousand years. It can be divided into several different periods, including:

  1. Old English (450-1100 AD):

This period saw the creation of epic poems like Beowulf and religious texts like the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle.

Read more about Old English Literature its characteristics and writers

  1. Middle English (1100-1500 AD):

This period saw the Norman Conquest of England and the introduction of Norman-French as the language of the ruling class. Middle English literature is characterized by works like Chaucer's Canterbury Tales and the anonymous poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.

  1. Renaissance (1500-1660 AD):

The Renaissance was a period of great artistic and cultural awakening, and English literature flourished during this time. Major works of this period include Shakespeare's plays and the works of Christopher Marlowe and Ben Jonson.

  1. Restoration and 18th Century (1660-1798 AD):

This period was marked by the restoration of the monarchy and the growth of the British Empire. Literary works of this period include the plays of William Congreve and the poems of Alexander Pope.

  1. Romanticism (1798-1832 AD):

The Romantic period was characterized by a focus on individualism, nature, and emotion. Major Romantic writers include William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and Lord Byron.

  1. Victorian (1832-1901 AD):

The Victorian era was marked by industrialization and rapid social and economic change. Major Victorian writers include Charles Dickens, the Bronte sisters, and Alfred Lord Tennyson.

English literature has continued to evolve and diversify in the 20th and 21st centuries, with notable movements including modernism, postmodernism, and the contemporary literature of today.

 

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