Literary History of England - In Depth Notes

Geographical Context

  • Overview of regions:
    • England
    • Scotland
    • Wales
    • Northern Ireland

Literary Periods Covered

  • Ancient Period (660–1100)
  • Middle Period (1150–1400)
  • Transitional Period (1400–1550)
  • Elizabethan Period (1550–1620)
  • Puritan Period (1620–1660)
  • Restoration Period (1660–1700)
  • Augustan Period (1700–1750)
  • Transitional Period (1750–1800)
  • Romanticism Period (1800–1850)
  • Victorian Period (1850–1900)
  • Early Twentieth Century Period (1900–1940)

WEEK 2: Literature Course

Prehistoric and Celtic Britain

  • Beaker Folk (c. 2000 BC):
    • Early settlers known for fineware pottery.
  • Celts (~1000 BC):
    • Spoke Celtic languages, known for warrior culture, oral traditions (via Druids), and symbols like the Celtic Cross and Triquetra.
    • Queen Boudicca led a revolt against Romans.

Roman Britain (55 BC – 410 AD)

  • Julius Caesar’s invasions (55/54 BC):
    • Britain became a Roman province.
  • Hadrian's Wall (122 AD):
    • Built for protection.
  • Ended with Roman withdrawal in 410 AD after 367 years.

Anglo-Saxon Invasion (449 – ~800 AD)

  • Tribes: Jutes, Angles, Saxons from Germany.
  • Introduced Anglo-Saxon/Old English and pagan beliefs.
  • Later introduced Christianity and monasteries.
  • Anglo-Saxon culture emphasized freedom, respect for nature and womanhood, glory, and religion.

Scandinavian (Viking) Invasions (787 – 1150 AD)

  • Caused destruction of Northumbria and loss of early literary works.
  • Ended the Anglo-Saxon literary period.

Old English Literature

  • Oral traditions written down by monks.
  • Key works: Beowulf, The Seafarer, The Battle of Maldon.
  • Themes: fate, loyalty, religion, manhood, gloom, and nature.
  • Key Figures:
    • Cadmon (Whitby Monastery), Cynewulf (signed his poems).
    • King Alfred the Great (871–899): Promoted education, translated texts from Latin, initiated the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle.

Literary Forms

  • Poetry: Mostly epic and religious, transmitted orally.
  • Prose: Emerged in 9th century including historical and philosophical translations.

WEEK 4: Transitional Period

Overview

  • Bridges writers: Geoffrey Chaucer & William Shakespeare.
  • English language transitioned from Middle English to Modern English.
  • Poets imitated Chaucer but lacked his greatness.

Important Figures

Geoffrey Chaucer (1342–1400)
  • Known as the "Father of English Poetry."
  • Major work: The Canterbury Tales.

Poetry Development

  • John Lydgate: Translated moral/religious works; followed French style.
  • Stephen Hawes: Wrote allegories; standardized English.
  • John Skelton: Satirical poet criticizing Church and government.
  • Scottish Chaucerians: Influenced by Chaucer, including Robert Henryson and Gavin Douglas (translated Aeneid).
  • Sir Thomas Wyatt & Henry Howard: Introduced Italian style (Petrarchan sonnets) to English poetry.
  • Surrey: Introduced blank verse (unrhymed iambic pentameter).

Prose Development

  • Sir Thomas Malory: Morte d’Arthur (1470)—stories of King Arthur.
  • William Tyndale: Translated the New Testament (1525)—spurred standardization of English.

Drama Development

  • Emerged genre: Moralities (e.g., Everyman).
  • Interludes: Short moral plays for upper class (e.g., Fulgens and Lucres).
  • First English comedy: Ralph Roister Doister (~1550) by Nicolas Udall.

WEEK 5: Elizabethan Period

Overview

  • Ruled by Queen Elizabeth I (1558–1603).
  • Known for support of arts and literature.
  • Also known as:
    • Golden Period
    • Renaissance Period
    • Shakespearean Period

General Characteristics

  • Shift to secular, realistic, creative, and individualistic literature.
  • English grammar evolved from synthetic to analytical.
  • Strong nationalism, intellectual growth, and social harmony.

Poetry

Famous Poets
  • Edmund Spenser: The Faerie Queene, Shepherd’s Calendar.
  • William Shakespeare: Notable poems include A Lover’s Complaint, All the World’s a Stage.

Prose

Key Authors
  • John Lyly: Euphues: The Anatomy of Wit (euphuism—long sentences and metaphors).
  • Philip Sidney: Arcadia, Astrophel and Stella; emphasized importance of poetry.
  • Thomas Nashe: The Unfortunate Traveller; defined picaresque novel.
  • Francis Bacon: Established scientific prose.

Drama

  • Focus shifted to human life and conflict, structured as Exposition → Complication → Climax → Resolution.
  • Influenced by classical Greece/Rome.
Famous Playwrights
  • William Shakespeare:
    • Comedies: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Tempest
    • Tragedies: Romeo & Juliet, Hamlet, Macbeth
    • Histories: Richard II, Henry V
  • Christopher Marlowe: Dr. Faustus, Tamburlaine
  • Ben Jonson: Volpone, The Alchemist

WEEK 6: Puritan Period

Overview

  • Religious movement aimed to "purify" the Church of England.
  • Emphasis on strict morals, serious beliefs, discipline.
  • Influenced both England and early American colonies.

Beliefs and Lifestyle

  • Only a few ("the elect") were deemed saved by God.
  • Strict behavior was prevalent; harsh punishments even for children.
  • Many Puritans fled to America for freedom of worship.

Political Background

  • King James VI: Known for greed; sold titles for money.
  • Charles I ruled without Parliament, raising taxes and punishing dissenters, leading to civil war (1642–1652).

Literature During Puritan Period

  • Tone: Gloomy, serious, critical.
  • Themes focused on mind, logic, and religion, with little emotional or romantic content.
Poetry
  • John Donne: Introduced Metaphysical Poetry—complex metaphors and intricate language.
  • John Milton: Major poet focusing on religion and morality. Notable works: On the Morning of Christ’s Nativity, Comus, Areopagitica.
Prose
  • Emphasis on critical essays and serious writing influenced by Francis Bacon.
Drama
  • No new developments due to theater closures under Puritan rule.

WEEK 7: Restoration Period

Overview

  • Began in 1660 with King Charles II's restoration.
  • Marked the revival of monarchy, arts, and enjoyment of life.

Historical Background

  • England became a republic post Charles I's execution in 1649 under Oliver Cromwell.
  • Government collapsed after Cromwell's death; restoration of Charles II in 1660.

Charles II’s Influence

  • Supported arts, theater, and science; promoted French-influenced literature.
  • Society became more relaxed and colorful after strict Puritanism.

Challenges of the Time

  • Black Death (Plague) returned in 1665.
  • Poor sanitation exacerbated disease spread, but cultural life thrived.

Literature Changes

  • Emergence of Realism and Formalism.
  • Simpler, clearer language replaced ornate writing.
Poetry
  • John Dryden: Leading poet; known for satirical works like Absalom and Achitophel; wrote in heroic couplets.
Prose
  • John Dryden: Also known for essays like Essay of Dramatic Poesy.
  • John Bunyan: Famous for The Pilgrims Progress, an allegorical narrative of Christian life.
Drama
  • Theaters reopened, leading to the rise of Restoration Comedy (Comedy of Manners).
  • Notable playwrights include:
    • George Etherege: The Man of Mode
    • William Wycherley: The Country Wife
    • William Congreve: The Way of the World