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The term ‘English literature’ refers to the body of written works produced in the English language by inhabitants of the British Isles from the 7th century to the present, ranging from drama, poetry, and fiction to autobiography and historical writing.
- Dickens
English literature - Dickens, Victorian, Novels: Charles...
- Prose
English literature - Prose, Novels, Poetry: The earliest...
- Milton
English literature - Milton, Poetry, Epic: John Milton, the...
- Swift
English literature - Swift, Satire, Poetry: Jonathan Swift,...
- The Romantic Period
English literature - Romanticism, Poetry, Novels: As a term...
- The Novel
English literature - Novels, Fiction, Classics: Such...
- The Restoration
English literature - Restoration, Poetry, Drama: For some,...
- The 18th Century
English literature - Enlightenment, Satire, Novels: The...
- Dickens
- Old English
- Middle English Period
- The Renaissance
- The Neoclassical Period
- The Romantic Period
- The Victorian Period
- The Edwardian Period
- The Georgian Period
- The Modern Period
- The Postmodern Period
The term Anglo-Saxoncomes from two Germanic tribes: the Angles and the Saxons. This period of literature dates back to their invasion (along with the Jutes) of Celtic England circa 450. The era ended in 1066 when Norman France, under William, conquered England. Much of the first half of this period—before the seventh century, at least—had oral lite...
The Middle English period saw a huge transition in the language, culture, and lifestyle of England and resulted in what we can recognize today as a form of “modern” (recognizable) English. The era extends to around 1500. As with the Old English period, much of the Middle English writings were religious in nature; however, from about 1350 onward, se...
Recently, critics and literary historians have begun to call this the “Early Modern” period, but here we retain the historically familiar term “Renaissance.” This period is often subdivided into four parts, including the Elizabethan Age (1558–1603), the Jacobean Age (1603–1625), the Caroline Age (1625–1649), and the Commonwealth Period (1649–1660)....
The Neoclassical period is also subdivided into ages, including The Restoration (1660–1700), The Augustan Age (1700–1745), and The Age of Sensibility (1745–1785).The Restoration period sees some response to the Puritanical age, especially in the theater. Restoration comedies(comedies of manner) developed during this time under the talent of playwri...
The beginning date for the Romantic period is often debated. Some claim it is 1785, immediately following the Age of Sensibility. Others say it began in 1789 with the start of the French Revolution, and still, others believe that 1798, the publication year for William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s book "Lyrical Ballads," is its true begi...
This period is named after the reign of Queen Victoria, who ascended to the throne in 1837. It lasted until she died in 1901. It was a time of great social, religious, intellectual, and economic issues, heralded by the passage of the Reform Bill, which expanded voting rights. The period has often been divided into “Early” (1832–1848), “Mid” (1848–1...
This period is named for King Edward VII and covers the period between Victoria’s death and the outbreak of World War I. Although a short period (and a short reign for Edward VII), the era includes incredible classic novelists such as Joseph Conrad, Ford Madox Ford, Rudyard Kipling, H.G. Wells, and Henry James (who was born in America but spent mos...
The Georgian period usually refers to the reign of George V (1910–1936) but sometimes also includes the reigns of the four successive Georges from 1714–1830. Here, we refer to the former description as it applies chronologically and covers, for example, the Georgian poets, such as Ralph Hodgson, John Masefield, W.H. Davies, and Rupert Brooke. Georg...
The modern period traditionally applies to works written after the start of World War I. Common features include bold experimentation with subject matter, style, and form, encompassing narrative, verse, and drama. W.B. Yeats’ words, “Things fall apart; the center cannot hold,” are often referred to when describing the core tenet or “feeling” of mod...
The postmodern period begins about the time that World War II ended. Many believe it is a direct response to modernism. Some say the period ended about 1990, but it is likely too soon to declare this period closed. Poststructuralist literary theory and criticism developed during this time. Some notable writers of the period include Samuel Beckett, ...
Jan 20, 2024 · This exploration of the history of English literature unveils the nuanced evolution through the ages. Each epoch reveals distinctive styles, offering insights into the literary landscapes that poets and authors once traversed.
Historians normally divide English literature into periods for convenience of discussion. Sometimes the numbers, dates or the names of the periods seem to vary. The following list follows the widespread practice of listing: 450-1066 Old English (Anglo-Saxon) Period. 1066-1500 Middle English Period. 1500-1600 The Renaissance (Early Modern) Period.
Jul 18, 2018 · The period is a long one and it is generally considered that Old English was spoken from about A.D. 600 to about 1100. Many of the poems of the period are pagan, in particular Widsith and Beowulf. The greatest English poem, Beowulf is the first English epic. The author of Beowulf is anonymous.
Dec 5, 2018 · The history of English literature is divided into different periods by the scholars and literary historians. At some points, there is a consensus while at others, many differ. The universally accepted periods also are looked with differences by different scholars.
Mar 5, 2024 · 156. British literature spans centuries of rich literary tradition, each period marked by distinct characteristics, themes, and styles. From the earliest writings to contemporary works, the evolution of British literature reflects the socio-cultural, political, and artistic developments of each era.
