We get the term “literature” from the Latin word “litaritura,” which means a collection of writing depicting history, language, or any art form. Literature used to be purely for amusement in the past, but it is currently becoming more and more popular. Many people read various kinds of literature; some use it to idle time while others do it to advance their knowledge and critical-thinking abilities. All literature helps people explore history and stay updated on trends. Are you someone who is looking to study English literature courses? But before that, you need to know the history of English literature. What is it, what were its periods, and so on? This blog post discusses the major periods of English literature.
Literature is one of the interesting yet complex subjects to study. Complex language, historical contexts, and literary analysis are some of the factors that make learning literature difficult. Are you enrolled in English literature courses but having difficulty learning? Are you pondering requests like, Can I pay someone to take my online class for me? If yes, this blog is the right one for you. This write-up discusses some of the study tips that will help you learn literature and make learning more enjoyable and approachable.
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Eight Important Periods of English Literature
The history of English literature is highly beautiful, and it teaches the reader about the nation’s social growth. In the literature, there are eight periods of race. Each period was distinct from the next, with numerous literary movements. Continue reading this blog until the conclusion to learn more about the eight significant moments. While pursuing English, if you need help, immediately get assistance and solve all your confusion and doubts. You can get help by asking if someone can take my online English class for me. This request will help you improve your grades in English class and also better your language skills.
The Anglo-Saxon Period (450–1066)
Anglo-Saxon literature, also known as Old English literature, is the first period in English literature. This period laid its foundation in English literature after the arrival of the Anglo-Saxons in Britain. During this time, a great deal of poetry, manuscripts, and translations were written. The oral tradition was robust, and epic poems were extremely prevalent at the time. Heroism, fate (wyrd), loyalty, and religion are the four themes and styles prevalent in this period. There are many great writers in old English literature, but only four are well-known to the world, while the rest remain unknown. The Wanderer and The Seafarer are the only poems from the old literature that have survived.
Middle English literature (1066 to 1500)
When Anglo-Saxon languages were not widely spread, Middle English literature began in the middle of the 10th century. People were introduced to hagiographies with religious literature. The major poets of this period include Hilarius, William Langland, Sir Thomas Malory, and John Gower. Before the Middle English period, oral literature was popular. However, this period introduced a shift towards written literature from oral to written This period introduced us to French and Latin influences in the English language, and courtly love, chivalry, and religion are some of the popular themes and styles in this period.
The English Renaissance Period (1500 to 1660)
The English Renaissance began in the 16th century and lasted until the 17th century. This English literature golden age is broken into three segments. The first one is the Elizabethan period, from 1500 to 1660. Edmund Spenser and Sir Philip Sidney were the best English poets of that period. The Elizabethan drama showed different shades of drama to the people, like tragicomedy, supernatural things, and reverie themes. The second important part of this period was the Jacobean period from 1603 to 1625. This period would be incomplete without William Shakespeare, who gave us remarkable drama and poets. The late Renaissance began from 1625 to 1660. Cavalier works (classical allusions) were introduced then, and John Milton marked the end of the English Renaissance period.
The Renaissance period is said to be the revival of classical learning, humanism, and exploration. drama and poetry also flourished during this time. This period incorporated incorporating new vocabulary and rhetorical forms.
The Restoration Age, or the Neoclassical Period (From 1660 to 1798)
Poetry, literature, and drama will be remembered from the Restoration period. This period was also known as the Age of Dryden, who was a representative and important writer of that period. King Charles II marked the beginning of this period after his return from exile. John Dryden was an important person of the Restoration period who introduced doctrinal poems, political satires, and fables to the world. His contributions to poetry, theatre, and prose were so significant that the Age of Dryden was named after him.
The Restoration, the Augustan Age, and the Age of Sensibility are the three different sub-periods of this English literature. Rationality, satire, and moral instruction are the main themes and styles followed here. Alexander Pope, Jonathan Swift, and Samuel Johnson were also some of the popular key writers of this page. Absalom and Achitophel, The Rape of the Lock, Gulliver’s Travels, and A Dictionary of the English Language are some of the popular works.
Romantic period or Romanticism (1798–1837)
The Romantic period in English literature was a philosophical shift focused on the inner world of emotions. It began in Europe and swiftly spread to English-speaking people all over the world. This age saw the introduction of a new type of poetry. Robert Burns, William Blake, William Wordsworth, Robert Southey, and Walter Scott were the outstanding romantic poets of the time. This romantic period in English literature produced some of the most beautiful visual arts and romantic poetry.
The Victorian literature (1837 to 1901)
Victorian novels became the leading genre in this era. Poetry, playwriting, and theatre were all popular during this period. There were many novelists in the Victorian era, but Charles Dickens was a famous poet and gained extraordinary popularity. The Pickwick Papers was his debut novel, and he is still known for authoring this masterpiece at the age of 25. Sociality and moral issues were the main themes and styles of the English literature period. Charlotte Brontë, Thomas Hardy, and Alfred Lord Tennyson were the key writers who contributed to the rise of the novel, addressing contemporary issues.
Modernism / Modern Period (From 1901 till 1945)
The modernists in English literature started at the beginning of the 20th century and continued till 1945. Many British writers, Virginia Woolf, Aldous Huxley, and Graham Greene, have contributed to modern English literature. These modernist writers wrote many remarkable pieces and fragmented stories about World War 1 and 2. They are the reason why we learn so much about the world wars and what happened, how things ended, etc. If they were not there, the coming generation would have never known the cultures, incidents, or people of the world. The modernist poets changed the way of writing and can greatly influence the writers of today and future generations.
Postmodernism (From 1945 till now)
This is a period that began at the end of 1939 or the beginning of 1940. In this period, novels, poetry, and drama become memorable forms. Many significant poets, like Philip Larkin, Sylvia Plath, and Paul Muldoon, gave masterpieces to the world. A few of the top novelists of that time include Paul Scott, John Banville, and Pat Barker. This period of English literature gave a new turning point to drama and theatre, and the first-ever professional production on BBC media also took place. Popular dramatists clearly explained intellectual, political, and social issues through their work.
The above information was a look into the eight periods of English literature and a brief description of the eight periods of English literature. All these periods are different from one another and hold uniqueness. These periods help in the development of language, themes, and styles. If you are planning to start your career in English literature, all you need to do is enroll in an online coursework program offered by a renowned university. However, you might feel overwhelmed with consecutive online classes during the coursework. In such cases, seeking online assistance with your coursework can help you excel. You can also find online help for other subjects, like nursing, by reaching out to experts on online class help websites. Simply ask them, “Can you take my nursing class for me?” and they will assist with your coursework program, ensuring your success.
Tips to Study English Literature
Are you a student pursuing an English literature course or degree? Studying literature can be difficult if you don’t follow the right approach. Literature is one of the least favorite subjects of students, as it is one of the most complex subjects to learn with difficult concepts and theories. However, scoring top grades in English literature is not an impossible thing. If you are wondering how to score well in English literature, here are the best tips for you. These study tips will improve your learning experience and increase your chances for better grades.
Get Familiar with Historical Contents
Whether you are learning English literature or any other literature, it is essential to start understanding historical context. Start with comprehending different literary periods and literary trends and also gain some basic knowledge about the cultural and social background of different periods.
Begin with an Initial Reading
English literature is one of those subjects that cannot be studied overnight. You should be ready to give enough time to learn and understand concepts so that you can relate to them and remember them for a longer time. Start early to grasp the plot and main ideas. themes, character development, and symbolism are some of the primary texts of literature that you should not miss out on while learning.
Understand Literary Elements
Literature is all about literary elements. When learning English literature, make sure you pay special attention to the themes, characters, setting, plot, language, and style of the play. It will help in better understanding. If you are confused about anything or any passages, feel free to get help from your teacher.
Improve Your Reading Skills
Better reading skills are important for analyzing specific passages in detail. Be patient when learning and closely understand what the poet wants to convey about longing for transcendence. It is possible to get bored when learning English literature and skip reading poems or paragraphs. However, you should not do this as you might miss some important information for your literature. If you want to gain a better understanding of the concepts, you should closely learn and try ways to improve your reading skills for better learning.
Use Flash Cards
If you are someone who is facing problems in remembering the different dates, author’s names, and their literary works, then start creating flashcards for better understanding. Flashcards are one of the best ways to increase your knowledge with better memorization of facts and figures.
Refer Other Literature
One of the most effective ways to learn English literature is to start reading literature of other subjects. This might be a difficult process but has a lot of advantages, like it will help you build a regular reading habit and explore diverse genres. Never limit literature to academic texts only, and try to explore other works as well for better knowledge and understanding.
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Frequently Asked Questions
| What is English literature? It refers to the compilation of all the literary works written in the language English. Poetry, drama, novels, short stories, and essays are all part of English literature. |
| What are the best English literature books? The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald; Wuthering Heights, by Emily Brontë; The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini are some of the best English literature books. |
| What are the best English literature courses? English Literature: Be as Informed as a Literature Graduate, Net English Complete Course, An Introduction to British and American Literature, World Literature, and Your Guide to Becoming Very Well are the best English literature courses. |