English Literature Flashcards

Flashcards covering key terms and concepts from English Literature lecture notes.

What is Anglo-Saxon Literature?

Anglo-Saxon literature refers to works composed in Old English between the 5th and 11th centuries, reflecting the culture and history of early England.

Who were the Scops?

Scops were Anglo-Saxon poets who preserved and performed literature orally, often in royal courts. They played a crucial role in transmitting cultural values and historical accounts.

What are common themes in Anglo-Saxon Literature?

Common themes include loyalty to one’s lord, the concept of fate (wyrd), and the warrior code, emphasizing honor, bravery, and revenge.

What is Beowulf?

Beowulf is the oldest surviving epic poem in English, likely composed between the 8th and early 11th century by an anonymous author. It narrates the heroic deeds of the warrior Beowulf.

Who are the main characters in Beowulf?

Key characters include Beowulf, the archetypal warrior-king; Hrothgar, the wise, aged ruler; and Grendel and his mother, representing chaos and malevolence.

What are Kennings?

Kennings are metaphorical phrases used in Anglo-Saxon poetry, such as “whale-road” for the sea or “sky-candle” for the sun, serving as stylistic embellishments.

What are Caesuras?

Caesuras are pauses or breaks found in the middle of lines of Anglo-Saxon poetry, contributing to the rhythm and structure of the verse.

What is Medieval Romance?

Medieval Romance is a literary genre that flourished from the 12th to the 15th century, featuring tales of knights, chivalry, love, and adventurous quests.

What is Le Morte d’Arthur?

Le Morte d’Arthur is a compilation of Arthurian legends written around 1469 and published in 1485 by William Caxton. It is considered the first major English-language prose version of these tales.

Who are the main characters in Le Morte d’Arthur?

Principal characters include King Arthur, Lancelot, Queen Guinevere, and Mordred, each playing significant roles in the rise and fall of Arthur's kingdom.

What characterizes 14th Century English Literature?

The 14th century in English literature is marked by a shift from Latin and French to English, reflecting a growing sense of national identity.

What did 14th Century Writers focus on?

Authors in the 14th century increasingly focused on ordinary people and real-world concerns, moving away from exclusively religious or aristocratic subjects.

What is Allegory?

Allegory is a literary device used to explore spiritual and moral ideas, often through symbolic characters and events. The 14th century was one of the most important literary movements to explore spiritual and moral ideas.

What is Piers Plowman?

Piers Plowman is a poem by William Langland that employs a dream-vision structure to critique corruption within the Church and society. It advocates for a return to true Christian values.

What are The Canterbury Tales?

The Canterbury Tales is a collection of stories written by Geoffrey Chaucer, presented as tales told by a group of pilgrims journeying to Canterbury.

Who is John Gower?

John Gower was a 14th-century English poet, known for his work Confessio Amantis, a lengthy poem discussing love and morality through classical, biblical, and romantic narratives.

Who is Geoffrey Chaucer?

Geoffrey Chaucer is widely regarded as the father of English literature, celebrated for his contributions to the English language and his insightful portrayal of medieval society.

What is Troilus and Criseyde?

Troilus and Criseyde is a tragic love story by Chaucer, drawing on classical themes and exploring the complexities of human relationships during the Trojan War.

What is the structure of The Canterbury Tales?

The Canterbury Tales is structured as a frame narrative, featuring thirty pilgrims who meet at the Tabard Inn and narrate stories to entertain each other on their pilgrimage to Canterbury.

Who are the characters in The Canterbury Tales?

The characters in The Canterbury Tales represent a cross-section of medieval society, including figures from the nobility, clergy, and common working class.

What is the style of The Canterbury Tales?

The Canterbury Tales is written in Middle English, and is notable for its vivid characterizations, irony, allegories, and rhetorical devices, offering a rich depiction of 14th-century England.

What characterizes 15th Century English Literature?

The 15th century in English literature is viewed as a transitional period between the medieval era and the early Renaissance, characterized by evolving literary styles and themes.

What are the themes of 15th Century Literature?

Literature of the 15th century continued to explore moral and religious themes, with allegorical works emphasizing virtues, vices, and the soul's journey remaining popular.

What is the Emergence of Prose?

The 15th century saw the rise of prose as a respected literary form, gradually replacing verse in certain types of writing, such as historical accounts and romances.

Who is Sir Thomas Malory?

Sir Thomas Malory is the author of Le Morte d’Arthur, which adapted and compiled Arthurian legends into English prose, significantly influencing later Arthurian literature.

Who is John Lydgate?

John Lydgate was a 15th-century English monk and poet, known for his extensive writings on moral and historical subjects, such as The Fall of Princes.

Who is James I of Scotland?

James I of Scotland is credited with writing The Kingis Quair, a dream-vision poem that combines elements of courtly love with spiritual and philosophical reflections.

Who is William Caxton?

William Caxton was the first English printer, whose introduction of the printing press in England helped standardize the English language and make literature more accessible to a wider audience.

What is the English Renaissance?

The English Renaissance was a cultural and intellectual movement that emphasized the revival of classical learning, humanist philosophy, and the celebration of human potential and achievement.

What are the Characteristics of Renaissance Literature?

Renaissance literature drew inspiration from Classical antiquity, incorporating Latin and Greek references, focusing on individualism, and exploring themes of love, ambition, and fate.

What characterized Renaissance Drama?

Drama during the Renaissance reached unprecedented levels of artistic achievement, marked by the construction of public theaters and the production of sophisticated plays.

What are Shakespeare's most important contributions?

William Shakespeare's plays are celebrated for their profound exploration of human emotions and moral complexities, presented with unparalleled poetic skill.

Who is Christopher Marlowe?

Christopher Marlowe was an influential Elizabethan playwright, best known for Doctor Faustus, which dramatizes the perils of excessive ambition and intellectual pride.

Who is Ben Jonson?

Ben Jonson was an English playwright and poet of the 17th century, renowned for his satirical comedies like Volpone and The Alchemist, which critique social vices.

Who is Edmund Spenser?

Edmund Spenser was an English poet best known for The Faerie Queene, an epic poem that combines elements of chivalric romance, allegory, and nationalistic sentiment.

What is a Sonnet?

The sonnet is a fourteen-line poem, often in iambic pentameter, popularized in English by Thomas Wyatt and Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, during the Renaissance.

What is Renaissance Poetry?

English Renaissance poetry experienced a remarkable period of growth, characterized by a renewed interest in classical forms, a focus on individual expression, and the creation of new poetic styles.

What is Edmund Spenser’s Amoretti?

Amoretti is a sonnet sequence by Edmund Spenser that explores themes of idealized love and courtship, blending personal emotion with traditional poetic conventions.

What is Sir Philip Sidney’s Astrophil and Stella?

Astrophil and Stella is a sonnet sequence by Sir Philip Sidney that delves into the complexities of unrequited love, poetic creativity, and introspective contemplation.

What are Shakespeare's Sonnets?

Shakespeare's Sonnets explore profound themes such as time, beauty, decay, and the nature of love. They challenge traditional Petrarchan conventions with their complex exploration of human relationships.

What is the Rise of English Theatre?

The rise of English theatre during the Elizabethan era saw the dramatic arts evolve into a sophisticated form of entertainment and literary expression, marked by the opening of public playhouses.

What impact did Christopher Marlowe have on Elizabethan drama?

Christopher Marlowe's use of blank verse, complex characters, and exploration of ambitious themes greatly influenced Elizabethan drama, setting a high standard for future playwrights.

What role did Social critique have in Post-War Drama?

Post-war drama often featured social critique, challenging class structures and exposing hypocrisy within society.

What is the emotional range of Shakespeare’s Plays?

Shakespeare’s plays span a wide range of emotions and themes, encompassing comedies, tragedies, and histories that reflect the intricacies of human life.

What role did Ben Jonson’s Comedies play?

Ben Jonson’s comedies used sharp wit and moral lessons to scrutinize failings such as greed, hypocrisy, and vanity.

Who is William Shakespeare?

William Shakespeare was a prolific English playwright, poet, and actor whose career flourished during the Elizabethan and Jacobean eras, leaving a lasting impact on literature and theater.

What is the Shakespeare Authorship Question?

The Shakespeare authorship question involves debates about whether William Shakespeare actually wrote the works attributed to him, with some suggesting that another author may have been the true creator.

Who is John Milton?

John Milton was a significant English poet, prose writer, and intellectual of the 17th century, known for his influential works and engagement with political and religious issues.

What is Paradise Lost?

Paradise Lost is an epic poem by John Milton that retells the biblical story of the Fall of Man, seeking to explain humanity’s relationship with God and the presence of evil.

How does Satan Play a Role in Paradise Lost?

In Paradise Lost, Satan is depicted as a complex character—proud, articulate, and rebellious—whose defiance against God embodies themes of ambition and the struggle for freedom.

What are the Themes in Paradise Lost?

Paradise Lost explores themes such as free will, the nature of good and evil, disobedience, and the importance of reason and faith, reflecting on the human condition and spiritual conflict.

What is the Metaphysical School of Poetry?

The Metaphysical School of Poetry, associated with John Donne, is characterized by its intellectual wit, use of conceits, and exploration of complex philosophical and spiritual themes.

What are Conceits?

Conceits are extended metaphors that draw surprising parallels between seemingly unrelated things, a characteristic feature of metaphysical poetry.

What is the significance of George Herbert’s poems?

George Herbert’s poems blend religious humility with profound theological insights, often employing simple language to convey deep spiritual experiences.

What is the message of Andrew Marvell’s To His Coy Mistress?

Andrew Marvell’s To His Coy Mistress balances the carpe diem motif with metaphysical wit, urging the acceptance of love due to the brevity of life.

What type of themes did Henry Vaughan's poetry explore?

Henry Vaughan’s poetry delves into mystical Christian themes, often reflecting on nature and the divine presence in the natural world.

What characterizes 18th-Century English Literature?

18th-Century English Literature was strongly influenced by Enlightenment ideals, which emphasized reason, order, clarity, and a belief in progress.

What were Augustan Writers satirizing?

Augustan writers employed satire to critique societal corruption, human failings, and political abuses, using irony and wit to expose follies.

What are The Tatler and The Spectator?

The Tatler and The Spectator were influential periodicals that published essays on manners, morality, and taste, shaping public discourse and literary preferences.

What is Neoclassicism?

Neoclassicism was the dominant aesthetic movement of the 18th century, emphasizing harmony, decorum, and the imitation of classical artistic and literary models.

What fueled the Rise of the Novel?

The rise of the novel in the 18th century was driven by a growing middle-class readership, increased literacy, and a shift in focus from aristocratic ideals to individual experiences.

Who is Daniel Defoe?

Daniel Defoe is often recognized as one of the first English novelists, notably for writing Robinson Crusoe in 1719, which marked a departure from traditional heroic narratives.

Who is Jonathan Swift?

Jonathan Swift significantly contributed to the development of the novel with his satirical work Gulliver’s Travels, published in 1726, which critiques human nature and society.

Who is Henry Fielding?

Henry Fielding developed the comic novel of manners, using satire to portray the social customs and moral values of his time, as seen in his novel Tom Jones.

What is Sentimentalism?

Sentimentalism was a literary and philosophical movement that emphasized feeling, empathy, and moral intuition, reacting against the rationalism of the Enlightenment.

What is Laurence Sterne’s A Sentimental Journey?

Laurence Sterne’s A Sentimental Journey blends elements of the travel narrative with introspective and emotional reflections, focusing on personal responses to encounters and experiences.

What topics does Samuel Richardson’s Clarissa explore?

Samuel Richardson’s Clarissa delves into themes of virtue, seduction, and the tragic outcomes of strict moral codes, portraying the psychological complexities of its characters.

What is Thomas Gray’s Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard about?

Thomas Gray’s Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard reflects on themes of mortality and the common human experience, expressing sympathy for ordinary people and their lives.

What is Pre-Romanticism?

Pre-Romanticism was a literary trend in the late 18th century that foreshadowed the themes of Romanticism, while still adhering to some Enlightenment norms.

What are the main points of the Graveyard School of Poetry?

The Graveyard School of Poetry explored themes of death, solitude, and human insignificance, often set in melancholy landscapes and graveyards.

Why is Pre-Romanticism considered a turning point?

Pre-Romanticism signaled a shift away from pure rationalism towards the emotional and imaginative focus that would come to define 19th-century Romantic literature.

What is Romanticism?

Romanticism emphasized emotion, imagination, individualism, and the beauty of nature, reacting against the rationalism and restraint of the Enlightenment.

How did Lord Byron impact Romanticism?

Lord Byron influenced Romanticism through his creation of the Byronic hero, who is typically characterized as proud, gloomy, passionate, and often rebellious. His works blend satire, personal suffering, and political criticism.

What messages are in Percy Bysshe Shelley's work?

Percy Bysshe Shelley’s works, such as Ode to the West Wind and Prometheus Unbound, convey a belief in human perfectibility, the possibility of societal change, and the transformative capacity of the poetic imagination.

What are some of the common themes in John Keats poems?

John Keats's odes such as Ode to a Nightingale and Ode on a Grecian

What are the key characteristics of Anglo-Saxon Literature?

Key characteristics include the use of alliteration, kennings, and a focus on heroic deeds, loyalty, and the transience of life.

What are the main genres of Anglo-Saxon Literature?

The main genres include epic poetry (like Beowulf), elegies, chronicles, and religious prose.

What is Wyrd in Anglo-Saxon context?

Wyrd is the Anglo-Saxon concept of fate or destiny, often seen as an inescapable force determining human events.

Identify key literary devices in Anglo-Saxon poetry.

Key devices include alliteration, kennings (metaphorical compounds), caesuras (pauses), and the use of stock epithets.

What are some of the themes in Beowulf

Some themes include: good vs. evil, the heroic code, the importance of reputation, and the inevitability of fate and death.

What is the plot of Beowulf?

Beowulf, a Geatish hero, battles Grendel, Grendel's mother, and a dragon to protect the kingdom of the Danes and later his own people.

Describe the structure and style of Medieval Romance.

Medieval Romances often feature episodic structures, focusing on chivalry, courtly love, and supernatural elements. They are typically written in verse or prose.

What are common motifs of Medieval Romance?

Common motifs include quests, knightly combat, encounters with mythical creatures, and tests of honor and virtue.

What is the historical importance of William Caxton’s printing press?

Caxton’s press (introduced in 1476) standardized English, increased literacy, and made literature more accessible, thus fostering a broader reading public and influencing literary development.

Summarize the plot of Le Morte d’Arthur.

The plot covers Arthur’s birth, rise to power, the establishment of the Round Table, the quest for the Holy Grail, Lancelot and Guinevere's affair, and the final battle leading to Arthur’s death.

How does Chaucer use irony in The Canterbury Tales?

Chaucer employs irony to critique the social classes and professions of his time, often contrasting the ideal with the reality.

What is the significance of the pilgrimage setting in The Canterbury Tales?

The pilgrimage provides a diverse group of characters and allows Chaucer to explore various aspects of medieval society through their stories and interactions.

What are some common themes explored in Paradise Lost?

Paradise Lost explores themes of good and evil, obedience and disobedience, free will, and the consequences of the Fall of Man.

Identify key characteristics of Metaphysical poetry

Key characteristics include intellectual wit, complex conceits, paradoxes, and a focus on philosophical and spiritual themes.

What are the subjects typically explored in Metaphysical poetry?

Metaphysical poetry explores themes of love, religion, death, and the nature of existence, often blending intellectual and emotional elements.

In 'To His Coy Mistress,' how does Marvell use the concept of time?

Marvell uses time to emphasize the urgency of love, contrasting the speaker’s desire with the brevity of life and the inevitability of death.

What political and social criticisms can be found in Gulliver’s Travels?

Gulliver’s Travels satirizes political corruption, social inequality, and the pettiness of human behavior through Gulliver’s encounters in various fantastical lands.

Discuss the role of satire in 18th-century English literature.

Satire was used in the 18th century to critique societal norms, political corruption, and human folly, often employing wit, irony, and exaggeration to expose and ridicule.

What is the definition of the Byronic hero?

The Byronic hero is a character archetype characterized by pride, melancholy, rebelliousness, and a passionate nature. often haunted by a past transgression.

What is the setting of the poem, Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard?

The setting is a rural churchyard at twilight, which evokes a sense of reflection and contemplation about mortality and the lives of ordinary people.

What are the main characteristics of Romantic literature?

Romantic literature emphasizes emotion, imagination, nature, individualism, and the supernatural, often rejecting the rationalism of the Enlightenment.

List the key characteristics of Renaissance Drama

Renaissance drama combined classical and contemporary elements, presenting complex characters, intricate plots filled with love, ambition, revenge. Also, the period was marked by public theaters.

What are the characteristics of Renaissance Literature?

Renaissance literature drew inspiration from Classical antiquity, incorporating Latin and Greek references, focusing on individualism, and exploring themes of love, ambition, and fate.

What's the historical context of Anglo-Saxon literature regarding the Anglo-Saxon period?

Anglo-Saxon composed in Old English, reflected the culture and history of early England, specifically during the Anglo-Saxon period from the 5th to the 11th centuries.

What are some character examples of Medieval Romances?

Knights, damsels, magical creatures, and mystical mentors.