English literature is as diverse as the varieties and dialects of english spoken around. The following links, organized by literary period, are to the librarys catalog for works by author, title, literary movement, type of work, etc. Old english literature, or anglosaxon literature, encompasses the surviving literature written in old english in anglosaxon england, in the period after the settlement of the saxons and other germanic tribes in england jutes and the angles c. Elizabethan literature refers to bodies of work produced during the reign of queen elizabeth i 15581603, and is one of the most splendid ages of english literature. Despite the variety of authors of english literature, the works of william shakespeare remain paramount. The elizabethan period began in 1558, when elizabeth the first became queen and one of the most popular monarchs in english history. The term is derived from carolus, the latin for charles. As a result, elizabethan literature laid a great foundation for english literature and influenced hundreds and thousands of writers of the following literary periods.
Golden age in english history queen elizabeth 1 15581603 production of. The caroline era refers to the period in english and scottish history named for the 24year reign of charles i 16251649. Many of the most important dramatists of the period were also excellent poets. English scientist researched and dissected animal veins discovered that the heart circulates blood throughout the body founded human physiology elizabethan claimed that animals reproduced by fertilization of the egg by the sperm. That is why many books of poetry by different writers appeared during this age. To acquaint the learners with the history of english literature. The elizabethan era is the epoch in the tudor period of the history of england during the reign of queen elizabeth i 15581603. Following the tables, in chronological order, is a brief description of each period and major writers.
For the love of physics walter lewin may 16, 2011 duration. Elizabethan period is generally regarded as the greatest in. English literature english literature the renaissance period. The victorian period is in strong contention with the romantic period for being the most popular, influential, and prolific period in all of english and world literature. Both the elizabethan and jacobean periods in the history of. This table lists important writers and their works of the elizabethan period of english literature. Shakespeares masterpieces are created in this period. English literature was gaining popularity under the reign of queen elizabeth by male writers and poets but female writers did not have such independence. Major writers of the elizabethan period this table lists important writers and their works of the elizabethan period of english literature. Why was the elizabethan age called the golden age of. Elizabethan period is best because of the development in every filed of life but when it comes to history of english literature, the tenure of elizabeth is also known as the age of shakespeare because of the work of this great writer. Elizabethan literature, body of works written during the reign of elizabeth i of england 15581603, probably the most splendid age in the history of english. Click on the hyperlink to get more information about the authorwork. It was one of the most interesting periods in the british history because it is characterized by explorations, cultural changes such as in literature or theatre, religion, education and politics.
The reign of elizabeth i began in 1558 and ended with her death in 1603. While the exact number, dates, and names of these periods vary, the following lists conform to widespread acceptance. English writers were intrigued and heavily influenced by italian renaissance writing and readily adopted this model. The arts, including literature, and nationalism thrived during the elizabethan age. Taroudant the concise history of english literature is a delightful article that will be published in a series of short. A brief history of english literature literary theory and. Due to the queens support and patron, the works of that time came to be known as elizabethan. Contents hide 1 old english 2 renaissance literature 3 early modern period 3. In the 15in the 15thth century the wars of the roses, th. The elizabethan era, often hailed as a golden age for english literature, spanned queen elizabeths long reign from 1558 to 1603. This period is generally regarded as the greatest in the history of english literature. The concise history of english literature, the elizabethan. Download pdf of the 8 different ages of english literature and get quick easy notes on them.
Home background study elizabethan literature important writers and works of the period elizabethan literature important writers and works of the period queen elizabeth reined england from the year 1558 a. Elizabethan literature characteristics english summary. The old english language or anglosaxon is the earliest form of english. This period saw many poetic luminaries rise to prominence, including christopher marlowe, ben jonson, edmund spenser, sir philip. Or, elizabethan age is the golden age of english literature. Many of the poems of the period are pagan, in particular widsith and beowulf. Elizabethan literature definition, characteristics, authors. This period is marked by the imitation of virgil and horaces literature in english letters. Some distinguishing characteristics of elizabethan literature are the writers use of blank verse and satire. In academia, the term often labels departments and programmes practising english studies in secondary and tertiary educational systems.
History of english literature lpu distance education. Trabalho the elizabethan agepdf free download as pdf file. English literature are also known as the age of shakespeare. This was the time of queen elizabeth i of england, and of shakespeare. With the introduction and development of the sonnet. A brief overview is located below literary periods are spans of time for literature that shares intellectual, linguistic, religious, and artistic influences. D and this period is considered as the golden age for english literature. The elizabethan age the features of the elizabethan age 3.
The symbol of britannia a female personification of great britain was first used in 1572, and often thereafter, to mark the elizabethan age as a renaissance that inspired national pride through. Elizabethan literature important writers and works of. The elizabethan era ranged from 1558 till 1603, with the strong queen elizabeth i to rule the people and gain their loyalty and admiration. Elizabethan literature the elizabethan era saw a great flourishing of literature, especially in the field of drama.
Elizabethan age the period coinciding with the reign of englands queen elizabeth i 15581603, considered to be the literary height of the english renaissance. Elizabethan poetry the most popular online literature. Feb 11, 2019 for the love of physics walter lewin may 16, 2011 duration. A summary of elizabethan literature in s queen elizabeth i. Notable writers during this era include william shakespeare, edmund spenser, christopher marlowe and sir philip sidney. There are dedicated posts for some of the listed authorsworks.
Named after the monarch, the elizabethan age, produced some of the biggest marvels of english literature in history. In contrast, the english renaissance can only be said to begin, shakily, in the 1520s, and continued until perhaps 1620. The features of the elizabethan age golden age in english history queen elizabeth 1 15581603 production of great poetry and drama the age of shakespeare feeling of patriotism and nationalism most glorious age in the history of england 4. Elizabethan theatre elizabethan drama was the dominant art form that flourished during and a little after the reign of elizabeth i, who was queen of england from 1558 to 1603. Jul 18, 2018 a brief history of english literature pdf. What are some characteristics of elizabethan literature. The elizabethan sonnet sequence british literature wiki. Elizabethan age was a great age of english literature. The elizabethan age is the golden age of english drama. The elizabethan age, the jacobean age, the caroline age and thejacobean age, the caroline age and the commonwealth period. Listen, read and learn about the elizabethan period and get ready for the life in the uk test.
Early modern period elizabethan era jacobean literature caroline and cromwellian literature restoration literature. England had a strong tradition of literature in the english vernacular, which gradually increased as english use of the printing press became common by the mid 16th century. Historians often depict it as the golden age in english history. Before and during elizabethan age, the writing of poetry was part of education of a. Before, drama consisted of simple morality plays and interludes, which were skits performed at the banquets of the queens father henry viii or at public schools at eton. Oct 06, 20 elizabethan literatureelizabethan literature the english literary renaissance consists ofthe english literary renaissance consists of four subsets. The period is a long one and it is generally considered that old english was spoken from about a. Understand the basic concept of history of english literature.
The first great age of the english language was during the reign of queen elizabeth i 15581603 in england. Highly popular and influential in its time, the spanish tragedy established a new genre in english literature theatre, the revenge play or revenge tragedy. Since the elizabethan era was a time of peace and prosperity, it was a time of progress, which is a central reason why the era is called the golden age of england. Literary periods of british literature for ease of study, literary scholars divide british into segments referred to as periods. In a tradition of literature remarkable for its exacting and brilliant achievements, the elizabethan and early stuart periods have been said to represent the most brilliant century of all. Various other works like fine arts endured support and assistance from the queen. For literature from specific english speaking regions, see the see also section at the bottom of the page.
The literature not only represents authors or writers from almost every part of the world but also it had untapped almost every major genre of writings that one could possibly imagine. Pdf although elizabethan age is an age of drama, and to a great. While some scholars and historians argue that the renaissance did not happen outside italy, but we cannot doubt that the 16 th century was indeed a golden age of english literature. Freedom of belief as long as english subjects were not open with or encouraged the practice of their faith. Elizabethan era 15581603 this era was the period of new ideas and new thinking. We can distinguish three periods of literature of english renaissance.
Jake bumgardner states, elizabethan age, or elizabethan era, was a period of english history during the reign of queen elizabeth i, from 1558 to 1603. May 24, 2014 major writers of the elizabethan period this table lists important writers and their works of the elizabethan period of english literature. Salient features of elizabethan poetry pen and the pad. Feb 07, 2020 elizabethan literature, body of works written during the reign of elizabeth i of england 15581603, probably the most splendid age in the history of english literature, during which such writers as sir philip sydney, edmund spenser, richard hooker, christopher marlowe, and william shakespeare flourished. The third period the time after shakespeares death and up to 1640 the forties of the 17th century, it was the time of declining the english renaissance literature. Elizabethan poetry the elizabethan age blended with renaissance spirit of optimism and freedom. It is for this reason, elizabethan era is considered as the golden age of english literature. The activities and literature of the elizabethans reflected a new nationalism, which expressed itself also in the works of chroniclers john stow, raphael holinshed, and others, historians, and translators and even in political and religious tracts. During this time the writing of poetry was the part of education among the educated people. It was now that plays came to be divided into five acts and a number of scenes. A myriad of new genres, themes, and ideas were incorporated into english literature.
In todays session we continue to look at the elizabethan age. After all, even the venerable eighttrack had yet to hit the scene, so recordings of shakespeare himself muttering over his manuscripts are, in a word, scarce. Pdf version by solitude old english the first works in english, written in old english, appeared in the early middle ages. Major writers of the elizabethan period ugc net english. Trabalho the elizabethan agepdf elizabethan era william. English literature is as diverse as the varieties and dialects of english spoken around the world. The principal english writers include addison, steele, swift, and alexander pope. Early periods of literature these periods are spans of time in which literature shared intellectual, linguistic, religious, and artistic influences.
England experienced an intense phase of economic and cultural development. Al amin the renaissance is a french word which means rebirth, revival or reawakening. Perfect for acing essays, tests, and quizzes, as well as for writing lesson plans. Pdf version by solitude among the most important works of this period is the poem beowulf, which has achieved national epic status in britain. Elizabethan literature definition, characteristics. Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of queen elizabeth i and what it means. For literature from specific englishspeaking regions, see the see also section at the bottom of the page. The anglosaxon chronicle otherwise proves significant to study of the era, preserving a chronology of early english. Elizabethan literature important writers and works of the. The phrase elizabethan sonnet sequences refers to the series of english sonnets written by various prominent practitioners in the elizabethan era, such as william shakespeare, sir philip sidney, and edmund spenser. History of english literature pdf included periods of. Poets of this time include robert and elizabeth barrett browning, christina rossetti, alfred lord tennyson, and matthew arnold, among others.
Burton 157701640 occupies a high position in english literature for. The elizabethan age, generally considered one of golden ages in english literature, was thus appropriately named. Welcome to yet another session of the course the history of english. The period of english literature loosely called elizabethan, related as it is to the medirevalism which preceded it, and leading to the classic or augustan age which followed it, has as real a unity as the age of pericles or that of petrarch and boccaccio.
During this period in history, sonnets and poetry became popular forms of writing. Elizabethan period is generally regarded as the greatest in the history of english literature. The elizabethan age is considered the golden age of english literature. This period also saw the introduction of a new genre in english theatre, the tragicomedy, which became very popular. Elizabethan literature, body of works written during the reign of elizabeth i of england 15581603, probably the most splendid age in the history of english literature, during which such writers as sir philip sydney, edmund spenser, richard hooker, christopher marlowe, and william shakespeare flourished. In the western tradition, the early periods of literary history are roughly as follows below. For further information on materials related to a specific literary. Historical contexthistorical context the second half of the 15the second half of the 15thth century and the 16century and the 16thth centurycentury were a turbulent age in english history. Looking at the elizabethan era english literature essay.
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