English Literature Overview

Study Notes

English Literature

English literature is a vast field of study that encompasses a wide range of genres, periods, and styles. It includes works written by authors from around the world who have been influenced by the English language or have chosen to write in English. Here are some notable aspects of English literature:

Plays

Plays are one of the oldest forms of literature. In English literature, they were first published under Elizabeth I. Some famous plays from this period include "The Revenger's Tragedy," "Titus Andronicus," "Friar Bacon and Friar Bungay," and "Gorboduc." These plays often dealt with serious themes such as revenge, love, politics, and morality.

Poetry and Song Lyrics

Poets have made significant contributions to English literature. One example is William Shakespeare, whose sonnets are still widely admired today. He also wrote songs for some of his plays that would later become standards. Other notable poets include John Donne, George Herbert, and Aphra Behn.

Prose

Prose literature includes novels, short stories, and essays. Some early examples of prose literature in English include Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales," which was written between 1400 and 1416. Later, Daniel Defoe wrote the famous novel "Robinson Crusoe" in 1719. His other work, "Moll Flanders," was published in 1722.

Gothic Novels

Around the end of the 18th century, gothic novels began to appear. These novels had elements like horror, supernatural events, mysterious and frightening obstacles. Examples of gothic novels include "Castle Rackrent," "Frankenstein," and "Wuthering Heights".

Romantic Poetry and Novels

The Romantic period, which lasted from 1780 to 1830, saw a shift in the focus of literature to the inner emotions and feelings of individuals. This period produced some of the greatest works of English literature, including poems by William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Lord Byron, John Keats, Percy Bysshe Shelley, and Robert Southey.

Victorian Novels

The Victorian period, which lasted from 1837 to 1901, saw the rise of the novel as a form of mass entertainment. Some of the most famous novels from this period include "Pride and Prejudice," "Jane Eyre," "Bleak House," "Great Expectations," and "Moby Dick".

Modernist Poets and Novels

The Modernist period, which lasted from the 1890s to the 1930s, saw a departure from traditional forms of literature. This period produced works by poets like T.S. Eliot, W.B. Yeats, Ezra Pound, and Dylan Thomas. Novelists like James Joyce, Virginia Woolf, and Ernest Hemingway also emerged during this time. Their works often dealt with the disillusionment of World War I and the social changes of the period.

Contemporary Literature

Contemporary literature spans the period from the end of the Second World War to the present day. It includes works by authors like Salman Rushdie, J.K. Rowling, Kazuo Ishiguro, and Ian McEwan. Contemporary literature often explores issues such as globalization, multiculturalism, and postmodernism.

In conclusion, English literature is a rich and diverse field that has evolved over centuries. It encompasses a wide range of genres, styles, and themes, reflecting the cultural, social, and historical contexts of the times in which they were written.

Description

Explore the rich history and diverse genres of English literature, from plays and poetry to gothic novels and contemporary works. Learn about influential authors like William Shakespeare, Jane Austen, Virginia Woolf, and Salman Rushdie.