Old English/Anglo-Saxon Old English/Anglo-Saxon Period Period

Years: 449-1066Years: 449-1066Content: Content: strong belief in fate strong belief in fate juxtaposition of church and pagan worlds juxtaposition of church and pagan worlds admiration of heroic warriors who prevail in battle admiration of heroic warriors who prevail in battle express religious faith and give moral instruction express religious faith and give moral instruction through literature through literature

The Anglo-Saxons: 449–1066The Anglo-Saxons: 449–1066

300s B.C.-300s B.C.-Celts in BritainCelts in Britain

55 B.C–A.D.409-55 B.C–A.D.409-Roman OccupationRoman Occupation

A.D. 400–699 A.D. 400–699 Spread of ChristianitySpread of Christianity

A.D. 449-A.D. 449-Anglo-Saxon InvasionAnglo-Saxon Invasion

A.D.878 A.D.878 King Alfred against the DanesKing Alfred against the Danes

A.D. 1066 A.D. 1066 Norman InvasionNorman Invasion

The Celts in BritainThe Celts in BritainBefore and during the 4th century Before and during the 4th century

B.C.B.C.Britain home to several Celtic tribesBritain home to several Celtic tribes

Britain named for one Celtic tribe—the Britain named for one Celtic tribe—the BrythonsBrythons

King Arthur – famous Celtic King (516?)King Arthur – famous Celtic King (516?)

Celtic religion a form of Celtic religion a form of animism (belief animism (belief that that Gods/spirits controlled all aspects of Gods/spirits controlled all aspects of life and could take the form of trees, rivers, life and could take the form of trees, rivers, fire, thunder, etc)fire, thunder, etc)

449 AD The Anglo-Saxon Invasion449 AD The Anglo-Saxon InvasionAnglo-Saxon SocietyAnglo-Saxon Society

Warrior-based society, led by strong warrior Warrior-based society, led by strong warrior chiefchief

“ “Warfare was the order of the day” (between Warfare was the order of the day” (between clans, tribes, and outside invaders)clans, tribes, and outside invaders)

Anglo-Saxon life was dominated by the need to Anglo-Saxon life was dominated by the need to protect the clan and home from enemies.protect the clan and home from enemies.

Fame and success were achieved through Fame and success were achieved through loyalty to a leader, and success was measured loyalty to a leader, and success was measured by gifts received from leaders.by gifts received from leaders.

The Anglo-Saxon InvasionThe Anglo-Saxon Invasion

Women had many rights in Anglo-SaxonWomen had many rights in Anglo-Saxon

society. Women inherited and held property society. Women inherited and held property (even when married) and were offered (even when married) and were offered substantial gifts of money and land from substantial gifts of money and land from prospective husbands.prospective husbands.

English emerged as a written languageEnglish emerged as a written language

The Anglo-Saxon religionThe Anglo-Saxon religion

offered no hope of an afterlife…only fameoffered no hope of an afterlife…only fame

offered immortality and provided a defenseoffered immortality and provided a defense

against death.against death.

valued concept of the “Heroic Ideal”…valued concept of the “Heroic Ideal”…earthly virtues of bravery, loyalty, earthly virtues of bravery, loyalty, generosity, and friendship.generosity, and friendship.

The Anglo-Saxon bardsThe Anglo-Saxon bards

called “scops” called “scops”

skilled storytellers and honored members skilled storytellers and honored members of society.of society.

sang of heroic deedssang of heroic deeds

regarded as equals to warriorsregarded as equals to warriors

Why were scops important?Why were scops important?

• • Anglo-Saxons did not believe in an Anglo-Saxons did not believe in an afterlifeafterlife

• • warriors gained immortality through warriors gained immortality through songs preserved in the collective memory.songs preserved in the collective memory.

The spread of ChristianityThe spread of Christianity

Around 400 AD- Around 400 AD- Christian monks settle in BritainChristian monks settle in Britain Christianity and Anglo-Saxon culture co-existChristianity and Anglo-Saxon culture co-exist

By 600 AD-By 600 AD- British pagan religions replaced by British pagan religions replaced by

ChristianityChristianity

Genres: Genres:

oral tradition of literature oral tradition of literature

poetry dominant genre poetry dominant genre

unique verse form unique verse form

Epic – a long, narrative poem that relates Epic – a long, narrative poem that relates the great deeds of a larger than life hero the great deeds of a larger than life hero who embodies (is made up of and reflects) who embodies (is made up of and reflects) the values of a particular society.the values of a particular society.

Styles:Styles:Caesura: a plot is or break in a line of poetry Caesura: a plot is or break in a line of poetry used to emphasize the word or phrase that used to emphasize the word or phrase that precedes it were two very the rhythmical precedes it were two very the rhythmical effects.effects.

Alliteration: the repetition of consonant sounds Alliteration: the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginnings of words, used to impart a at the beginnings of words, used to impart a musical quality to poems, to create mood, to musical quality to poems, to create mood, to reinforce meaning, to emphasize particular reinforce meaning, to emphasize particular words, and to unify lines or stanzas.words, and to unify lines or stanzas.

Continued StylesContinued StylesRepetition: The return of a word, phrase, Repetition: The return of a word, phrase, stanza form, or effect in any form of literature. stanza form, or effect in any form of literature. Repetition is an effective literary device that Repetition is an effective literary device that may bring comfort, increase memorization, may bring comfort, increase memorization, suggest order, or add special meaning to a suggest order, or add special meaning to a piece of literature.piece of literature.

Kenning: metaphorical compound words or Kenning: metaphorical compound words or phrases substituted for simple nouns, ex. phrases substituted for simple nouns, ex. ““whales’ homewhales’ home” for sea & “” for sea & “givers of goldgivers of gold” for ” for rulers or emperors. rulers or emperors.

Continued StylesContinued Styles

Four Beat Rhythm: four beats to a line, is Four Beat Rhythm: four beats to a line, is the meter of nursery rhymes, children’s the meter of nursery rhymes, children’s jump-rope and counting-out rhymes, folk jump-rope and counting-out rhymes, folk songs and ballads, marching cadence songs and ballads, marching cadence calls, and a good deal of art poetry.calls, and a good deal of art poetry.

Effect: Effect: Christianity helps literacy to spread Christianity helps literacy to spread introduces Roman alphabet to Britain introduces Roman alphabet to Britain oral tradition helps unite diverse peoples and oral tradition helps unite diverse peoples and their myths their myths

    Historical Context: Historical Context:

life centered around ancestral tribes or clans life centered around ancestral tribes or clans that ruled themselves that ruled themselves at first the people were warriors from invading at first the people were warriors from invading outlying areas: Angles, Saxons, Jutes, and outlying areas: Angles, Saxons, Jutes, and Danes Danes later they were agricultural later they were agricultural

Key Literature/Authors: Key Literature/Authors:

Beowulf Beowulf

Bede Bede

Exeter Book Exeter Book

Middle English PeriodMiddle English Period(The Medieval Period)(The Medieval Period)

Years: 1066-1485 Years: 1066-1485

Content: Content:

plays that instruct the illiterate masses in plays that instruct the illiterate masses in morals and religion morals and religion

chivalric code of honorchivalric code of honor

romances romances

religious devotionreligious devotion

Style/Genres: Style/Genres: oral tradition continues oral tradition continues folk ballads: written by unknown authors and handed folk ballads: written by unknown authors and handed down orally, usually depict ordinary people in the midst down orally, usually depict ordinary people in the midst of tragic events and adventures of love and bravery. of tragic events and adventures of love and bravery. They tend to begin abruptly, focus on a single incident, They tend to begin abruptly, focus on a single incident, use dialogue and repetition, often contain supernatural use dialogue and repetition, often contain supernatural elements, and suggest more than they actually state.elements, and suggest more than they actually state.

mystery and miracle: drama written in the Middle Ages mystery and miracle: drama written in the Middle Ages that portrays a biblical story.that portrays a biblical story.

morality plays: a drama written in the Middle Ages that morality plays: a drama written in the Middle Ages that dramatizes conflict through allegory; the characters in dramatizes conflict through allegory; the characters in morality plays are allegorical figures, such as Vice, morality plays are allegorical figures, such as Vice, Mercy, Death, and Good Deeds. Mercy, Death, and Good Deeds.

Genre/Styles contin.Genre/Styles contin.

stock epithets:stock epithets: A short, poetic nickname--often in the A short, poetic nickname--often in the form of an adjective or adjectival phrase--attached to the form of an adjective or adjectival phrase--attached to the normal name, ex) Robert the Devil, Richard the normal name, ex) Robert the Devil, Richard the Lionheart.Lionheart.

kennings: metaphorical compound words or phrases kennings: metaphorical compound words or phrases substituted for simple nouns, ex. “substituted for simple nouns, ex. “whales’ homewhales’ home” for sea ” for sea & “& “givers of goldgivers of gold” for rulers or emperors. ” for rulers or emperors.

    frame stories: a story is told within a narrative setting or frame stories: a story is told within a narrative setting or frame creating a story within a story.frame creating a story within a story.

moral tales: A traditional narrative (e.g., a fable, proverb, moral tales: A traditional narrative (e.g., a fable, proverb, or urban legend) with a moral message warning of the or urban legend) with a moral message warning of the consequences of certain actions, inactions, or character consequences of certain actions, inactions, or character flaws.flaws.

Effect: Effect: church instructs its people through the church instructs its people through the morality and miracle plays morality and miracle plays an illiterate population is able to hear and an illiterate population is able to hear and see the literaturesee the literature

Historical Context: Historical Context: Crusades bring the development of a money economy Crusades bring the development of a money economy for the first time in Britain for the first time in Britain trading increases dramatically as a result of the trading increases dramatically as a result of the Crusades Crusades William the Conqueror crowned king in 1066 William the Conqueror crowned king in 1066 Henry III crowned king in 1154 brings a judicial system, Henry III crowned king in 1154 brings a judicial system, royal courts, juries, and chivalry to Britain royal courts, juries, and chivalry to Britain

    Key Literature/Authors: Key Literature/Authors:

Domesday Book Domesday Book L’Morte de Arthur L’Morte de Arthur Geoffrey Chaucer Geoffrey Chaucer

The Renaissance The Renaissance Years: 1485-1660Years: 1485-1660

Content: Content: world view shifts from religion and after life to world view shifts from religion and after life to one stressing the human life on earth one stressing the human life on earth popular theme: development of human potential popular theme: development of human potential popular theme: many aspects of love explored popular theme: many aspects of love explored unrequited love unrequited love constant love constant love timeless love timeless love courtly love courtly love love subject to change love subject to change

Style/Genres: Style/Genres: poetry poetry sonnet sonnet drama drama written in verse written in verse supported by royalty supported by royalty tragedies, comedies, histories tragedies, comedies, histories metaphysical poetry metaphysical poetry elaborate and unexpected metaphors called conceits elaborate and unexpected metaphors called conceits

Effect:   Effect:   commoners welcomed at some play productions (like commoners welcomed at some play productions (like ones at the Globe) while conservatives try to close ones at the Globe) while conservatives try to close the theaters on grounds that they promote brazen the theaters on grounds that they promote brazen behaviors behaviors not all middle-class embrace the metaphysical poets and not all middle-class embrace the metaphysical poets and their abstract conceits their abstract conceits

Historical Context: Historical Context: War of Roses ends in 1485 and political stability arrives War of Roses ends in 1485 and political stability arrives Printing press helps stabilize English as a language and Printing press helps stabilize English as a language and allows more people to read a variety of literature allows more people to read a variety of literature Economy changes from farm-based to one of Economy changes from farm-based to one of international trade international trade

    Key Literature/Authors:Key Literature/Authors:

William Shakespeare  William Shakespeare  John DonneJohn DonneCavalier PoetsCavalier PoetsMetaphysical Poets  Metaphysical Poets  Christopher MarloweChristopher MarloweAndrew MarvellAndrew Marvell

Neoclassical PeriodNeoclassical Period(The Restoration)(The Restoration)Years: 1660-1798 Years: 1660-1798

Content:Content:emphasis on reason and logic emphasis on reason and logic stresses harmony, stability, wisdom stresses harmony, stability, wisdom Locke: a social contract exists between the government and the Locke: a social contract exists between the government and the people. The government governs guaranteeing “natural rights” of people. The government governs guaranteeing “natural rights” of life, liberty, and property life, liberty, and property Style/Genres: Style/Genres: satire:  uses irony and exaggeration to poke fun at human faults  satire:  uses irony and exaggeration to poke fun at human faults  and foolishness in order toand foolishness in order to correct human behavior correct human behavior poetry poetry essays essays letters, diaries, biographies letters, diaries, biographies novels novels

Effect:Effect:emphasis on the individual emphasis on the individual belief that man is basically evil belief that man is basically evil approach to life: “the world as it should be” approach to life: “the world as it should be”

Historical Context: Historical Context: 50% of the men are functionally literate (a dramatic rise) 50% of the men are functionally literate (a dramatic rise) Fenced enclosures of land cause demise of traditional Fenced enclosures of land cause demise of traditional village life village life Factories begin to spring up as industrial revolution Factories begin to spring up as industrial revolution begins begins Impoverished masses begin to grow as farming life Impoverished masses begin to grow as farming life declines and factories build declines and factories build Coffee houses—where educated men spend evenings Coffee houses—where educated men spend evenings with literary and political associates with literary and political associates

Key Literature/Authors:Key Literature/Authors:

Alexander PopeAlexander Pope

Daniel DefoeDaniel Defoe

Jonathan SwiftJonathan Swift

Samuel JohnsonSamuel Johnson

John BunyanJohn Bunyan

Romanticism Romanticism Years: 1798 – 1832Years: 1798 – 1832

Content:Content:

human knowledge consists of impressions human knowledge consists of impressions and ideas formed in the individual’s mindand ideas formed in the individual’s mind

introduction of gothic elements and introduction of gothic elements and terror/horror stories and novels terror/horror stories and novels 

in nature one can find comfort and peace in nature one can find comfort and peace that the man-made urbanized towns and that the man-made urbanized towns and factory environments cannot offerfactory environments cannot offer

Style/Genres: Style/Genres:

poetry poetry

lyrical ballads lyrical ballads

Effects: Effects:

evil attributed to society not to human natureevil attributed to society not to human nature

human beings are basically goodhuman beings are basically good

movement of protest: a desire for personal movement of protest: a desire for personal freedomfreedom

children seen as hapless victims of  poverty children seen as hapless victims of  poverty and exploitationand exploitation

Historical Context: Historical Context:

Napoleon rises to power in France and Napoleon rises to power in France and opposes England militarily and economically opposes England militarily and economically

gas lamps developed gas lamps developed

philosophy that government should NOT philosophy that government should NOT interfere with private enterpriseinterfere with private enterprise

middle class gains representation in the middle class gains representation in the British parliamentBritish parliament

Railroads begin to run Railroads begin to run

Key Literature/Authors: Key Literature/Authors:

Novelists: Jane Austen, Mary Shelley Novelists: Jane Austen, Mary Shelley

Poets: Robert Burns, William Blake, Poets: Robert Burns, William Blake, William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Lord Byron, Percy Shelley, Coleridge, Lord Byron, Percy Shelley, John KeatsJohn Keats

Victorian Period Victorian Period Years: 1832-1900 Years: 1832-1900

Content:Content:conflict between those in power and the common masses of laborers and conflict between those in power and the common masses of laborers and the poor the poor 

shocking life of sweatshops and urban poor is highlighted in literature to shocking life of sweatshops and urban poor is highlighted in literature to insist on reform insist on reform

country versus city lifecountry versus city life

sexual discretion (or lack of it)  sexual discretion (or lack of it)  

strained coincidencesstrained coincidences

romantic trianglesromantic triangles

heroines in physical dangerheroines in physical danger

aristocratic villainsaristocratic villains

misdirected lettersmisdirected letters

bigamous marriages bigamous marriages

Genres/Styles:Genres/Styles:

novel becomes popular for first time; mass produced for novel becomes popular for first time; mass produced for the first timethe first time

bildungsroman: “coming of age”bildungsroman: “coming of age”

political novelspolitical novels

detective novels: (Sherlock Holmes)detective novels: (Sherlock Holmes)

serialized novelsserialized novels

elegies elegies

poetry: easier to understand poetry: easier to understand

dramatic monologuesdramatic monologues

drama: comedies of mannersdrama: comedies of manners

magazines offer stories to the massesmagazines offer stories to the masses

Effect:Effect:

literature begins to reach the masses literature begins to reach the masses

  

Historical Context:Historical Context:

paper becomes cheap; magazines and paper becomes cheap; magazines and novels cheap to mass produce  novels cheap to mass produce  

unprecedented growth of industry and unprecedented growth of industry and business in Britainbusiness in Britain

unparalleled dominance of nations, unparalleled dominance of nations, economies and trade abroadeconomies and trade abroad

Key Literature/Authors:Key Literature/Authors:

Charles DickensCharles Dickens

Thomas HardyThomas Hardy

Rudyard KiplingRudyard Kipling

Robert Louis StevensonRobert Louis Stevenson

George EliotGeorge Eliot

Oscar WildeOscar Wilde

Alfred Lord TennysonAlfred Lord Tennyson

Charles DarwinCharles Darwin

Charlotte BronteCharlotte Bronte

Robert BrowningRobert Browning

Modern/Post Modern Period of Modern/Post Modern Period of LiteratureLiterature

Years: 1900-1980Years: 1900-1980Content:Content:

lonely individual fighting to find peace and comfort in a lonely individual fighting to find peace and comfort in a world that has lost its absolute values and traditions  world that has lost its absolute values and traditions  

man is nothing except what he makes of himself  man is nothing except what he makes of himself  

a belief in situational ethics—no absolute values. a belief in situational ethics—no absolute values. Decisions are based on the situation one is involved in at Decisions are based on the situation one is involved in at the moment  the moment  

mixing of fantasy with nonfiction; blurs lines of reality for mixing of fantasy with nonfiction; blurs lines of reality for reader reader

loss of the hero in literatureloss of the hero in literature

destruction made possible by technology destruction made possible by technology

Genres/Styles: Genres/Styles:

poetry: free versepoetry: free verse

epiphanies begin to appear in literature  epiphanies begin to appear in literature  

speeches  speeches  

memoir  memoir  

NovelsNovels

stream of consciousness stream of consciousness

detached, unemotional, humorlessdetached, unemotional, humorless

present tensepresent tense

magic realism magic realism

Effect:Effect:

an approach to life: “Seize life for the an approach to life: “Seize life for the moment and get all you can out of it.” moment and get all you can out of it.”

  

Historical Context: Historical Context:

British Empire loses 1 million soldiers to British Empire loses 1 million soldiers to World War I World War I

Winston Churchill leads Britain through Winston Churchill leads Britain through WW II, and the Germans bomb England WW II, and the Germans bomb England directly directly

British colonies demand independence British colonies demand independence

Key Literature/AuthorsKey Literature/Authors

James JoyceJames Joyce

Joseph ConradJoseph Conrad

D.H. LawrenceD.H. Lawrence

Graham GreeneGraham Greene

Dylan ThomasDylan Thomas

Nadine GordimerNadine Gordimer

George OrwellGeorge Orwell

William Butler YeatsWilliam Butler Yeats

Bernard ShawBernard Shaw

Contemporary Period of Contemporary Period of LiteratureLiterature

(Post Modern Period Continued)(Post Modern Period Continued)1980-Present 1980-Present

Content:Content:

concern with connections between people concern with connections between people

exploring interpretations of the pastexploring interpretations of the past

open-mindedness and courage that open-mindedness and courage that comes from being an outsidercomes from being an outsider

escaping those ways of living that blind escaping those ways of living that blind and dull the human spiritand dull the human spirit

Genres/Styles:Genres/Styles:

all genres representedall genres represented

fictional confessional/diaries  fictional confessional/diaries  

50% of contemporary fiction is written in 50% of contemporary fiction is written in the first person the first person

narratives: both fiction and nonfiction  narratives: both fiction and nonfiction  

emotion-provokingemotion-provoking

humorous ironyhumorous irony

storytelling emphasizedstorytelling emphasized

autobiographical essaysautobiographical essays

mixing of fantasy with nonfiction; blurs mixing of fantasy with nonfiction; blurs lines of reality for readerlines of reality for reader

Effect: Effect:

too soon to tell too soon to tell

Historical Context: Historical Context:

a world growing smaller due to ease of a world growing smaller due to ease of communications between societies communications between societies

a world launching a new beginning of a a world launching a new beginning of a century and a millennium century and a millennium

media culture interprets values and events media culture interprets values and events for individualsfor individuals

Key Literature/Authors: Key Literature/Authors:

Seamus HeaneySeamus Heaney

Doris LessingDoris Lessing

Louis de BernieresLouis de Bernieres

Kazuo IshiguroKazuo Ishiguro

Tom StoppardTom Stoppard

Salman RushdieSalman Rushdie

John Le CarreJohn Le Carre

Ken FollettKen Follett