From the Latin “litaritura,” we get the term “literature.” It 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 the 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? In this blog post by tutemyclass.com, we will be discussing the major periods of English literature with you.
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History 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 studying English, if you need any kind of help, immediately get assistance and solve all of your confusion and doubts. You can get help by asking, Can someone take my online English class for me? This request will help you improve your English language skills.
1- The old English literature (450 to 1066)
Anglo-Saxon literature is another name for this period. 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. 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.
2- The 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, and John Gower.
3- 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 Sydney were the best English poets of that period. The Elizabethan Drema showed different shades of Drema to the people, like tragic comedy, supernatural things, and reverie themes. The second important part of this period was the Jamaican period from 1603 to 1625. This period will 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.
4- The Restoration age (From 1660 till 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. 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.
5- Romantic period or Romanticism (1798 – 1837)
The Romantic period in English literature was a philosophical shift. 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.
6- 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.
7- Modernism / Modern Century ( From 1901 till 1939)
The modernists in English literature started at the beginning of the 20th century and continued till 1939. 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 stotties about the world war. They are 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.
8- Postmodernism (From 1939 till 2000)
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. 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 provide assistance throughout your coursework program, ensuring your success.
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Frequently Asked Questions
| Question 1: What are the benefits of learning literature? Answer 1: Reading literature has a lot of benefits, including improving language ability, communication skills, a way of thinking, critical thinking skills, wisdom, and imagination. |
| Question 2: Who is regarded as the father of English literature? Answer 2: Geoffrey Chaucer, an English poet, is known as the father of English literature. |