Scottish literature

Through ages

Early literature

The earliest literature known to be from Scotland has been written in these languages:

Brythonic (Old Welsh) Gaelic Latin Old English

They have been written between the 6th and the 7th

century.

Medieval Scottish literature The language of the Scots was Gaelic. Between c. 1200

and c. 1700 ,both Scotland and Ireland shared a literary form of Gaelic.

But, the problems of the Scottish kingdom meant a slow

development of the arts. Gaelic culture was primarily oral, and at first dominated by the Irish. Not much that is specifically Scottish survived before the 14th century.

Irish text written in Gaelic

Romance Literature

During the 13th century literary languages (languages only used to write literature) were used and some well-known texts have been written in French or in Latin.

Late medieval literature

By the 14th century arts in Scotland emerged.

There was an association with the Church and the royal Court and many universities were founded. St-Andrew University

Late medieval literature, suite By the 15th century much of the Scottish literature was

produced from among the Court and some Scottish Kings wrote some interesting texts. It was the golden age of Scottish literature, which last until the Reformation took place.

During the 16th century, much of the literature was suppressed by the Reformation. The energy of the Scots went to theological and political problems.

17th – early 19th century

Beginning of the tradition of Scottish ballads.

In Scotland, the Anglicisation increased after the 17th century.

But there’s a reawakening interest for ancient Scottish literature which leads to many translations.

19th – 20th century

Even if the population of Scotland becomes more and more industrialized and urban, the readers, however, are interested in heroic exploits taking place in a medieval Scottish landscape, and not in novels reflecting the realities of life.

Among the famous writers, we find:

Robert Louis Stevenson : Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Treasure Island (1886)

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle : Sherlock Holmes (1887) James M. Barrie : Peter Pan

Authors

Robert Louis Stevenson

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

James Matthew Barrie

20th – 21st century

The tradition of fantastical fictions is still very present in Scotland and well-known all around the world.

The reprinting of ancient Gaelic texts encourages new writers of poesy and fiction.

Sources

Texts http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scottish_literature http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/~www_se/personal/cjmm/Scot

back.html

Images: www.toddadams.net www.itjungle.com www.chemin-stevenson.org autoresespiritasclassicos.com