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The Anglo-Saxon and Norman periods in English literature represent two key stages in the historical and cultural development of England. These periods are characterised by different historical events, socio-cultural changes and literary features.

Historical context:

Anglo-Saxon period (450-1066): After the Romans left in the 5th century, the Anglo-Saxons and other Germanic tribes came to the British Isles. This period ended with the Norman conquest of England by William the Conqueror in 1066.

Norman period (1066-mid-12th century): The Norman Conquest under William the Conqueror led to the cultural and political influence of France on England. Norman rulers introduced French elements into English language, literature, and culture.

Major Topics:

Anglo-Saxon period:

Heroic poetry

Religious lyrics

Chivalric romances

Lyrics

Literary characteristics:

Anglo-Saxon period:

Alliterative poetry: Frequent use of alliteration and constant metre.

Oral Folk Art: Works were intended for oral storytelling and transmission from generation to generation.

Norman period:

Influence of French literature: The penetration of French literary forms and genres.

Medieval Culture: The emergence of new genres such as chivalric novels and the influence of chivalric ethics on literature.

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English literature of the 14th and 15th centuries (Mediaval Period)

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English literature of the 14th and 15th centuries (Mediaval Period)

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Medieval English literature of the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries reflects a wealth of cultural and literary traditions, combining influences from Anglo-Saxon, Norman and French literatures.

Historical Context:

Political events: During this time, England experienced wars, internal conflicts, and dynastic struggles such as the Wars of the Roses between the houses of Lancaster and York.

Sociocultural changes: The emergence of urban centres and the rapid development of trade, the flourishing of crafts and arts, and the increasing role of the urban population in society.

Major themes:

Knights' epics: Works recounting knights' deeds, honour and valour.

Religious lyrics: Medieval English literature is enriched with religious texts, many of which are written in English rather than Latin. This includes psalms, prayers, and mystical poems.

Chorales and hymns: Church music and poems sung in temples and monasteries.

Allegorical and alliterative poetry: Works in which abstract concepts or qualities are represented as characters or events.

Literary Features:

Alliterative poetry: Alliteration continues to be used, but it is less strict than in the Anglo-Saxon period.

Use of Roman iteration: Some works used rhythmic patterns reminiscent of Roman poetry.

Love lyrics: The development of love poetry, which was often inspired by Italian and French style

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The Renaissance era in English literature, spanning roughly the sixteenth to seventeenth centuries, is a period of cultural and intellectual revival inspired by classical ideas and a humanist worldview.

Historical Context:

Political developments: During this period, England experienced significant political changes, including the Reformation and the establishment of absolute monarchy.

Sociocultural Changes: The flourishing of the arts, sciences, and education, and the strengthening of bourgeois values and culture.

Major themes:

Humanism: The celebration of the human person, his or her abilities and virtues.

Love and Nature: Development of love lyrics, description of nature as a symbol of harmony and beauty.

Religious and Moral Issues: Reflection on faith, sin, virtue and the fate of humanity.

Political lyrics and satire: Works reflecting political conflicts, social shortcomings and contradictions of the epoch.

Literary Features:

Use of classical motifs: References to ancient literature and mythology, study of classical languages.

Sonnet: One of the most popular genres of the period, which came from Italy and was adapted by English poets.

Drama: The development of drama, including tragedies, comedies, and historical plays. The greatest representatives are William Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe.

Enlightenment Prose: The emergence of popular works, including essays, letters, and biographies, aimed at enlightening and educating society.

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The Age of Enlightenment in English literature extends from about the end of the seventeenth century to the end of the eighteenth century. This time was marked by rationalism, empiricism, and confidence in the power of human reason.

Historical Context:

Political and social changes: After the Civil War and the Great Revolution, England experienced the establishment of a constitutional monarchy, the increasing role of Parliament, and the emergence of Enlightenment ideas.

Scientific Discoveries: Advances in science, especially physics, astronomy, and medicine, influenced the era's worldview and literature.

Major themes:

Rationalism and Empiricism: The primacy of reason and experience in knowing the world, questioning religious and dogmatic truths.

Human Rights and Freedoms: Issues of civil liberties, equality, tolerance and justice.

Satire and criticism of society: Reflection of social shortcomings, inequality, corruption and hypocrisy.

Literary Features:

Epistolary genre: Popularity of letters as a means of discussing ideas, development of the essay.

Enlightenment prose: Development of the novel, especially the social-critical novel.

Poetry: Mainly classicism and pseudo-classicism, striving for clarity, harmony and restraint in expression.

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The Victorian period in English literature spans roughly 1837-1901, a long and complex time that left an indelible mark on British cultural and literary history.

Historical context:

Technological and industrial progress: the Victorian era witnessed rapid advances in technology, industry and scientific discovery, which led to dramatic changes in society.

Imperialism and colonialism: Britain became a great empire, increasing its influence in different parts of the world.

Social and political reforms: Social changes were taking place, working class issues, women's rights and democratisation of the political system became a topic of discussion.

Major themes:

Social Issues: Reflecting working class issues, inequality, urbanisation and social injustice.

Religious and philosophical crisis: The emergence of scientific doubt, the critique of religious dogma and the search for new spiritual values.

Family and Moral Values: The Victorian era is often associated with the reinforcement of family values, virtue and honesty.

Literary Features:

Novel: The Victorian novel era is known for its voluminous social and psychological works that detail the life and society of its time.

Poetry

Enlightenment Prose: Continued development of essays, memoirs, and literary criticism that discuss current issues of ideology, education, and culture.

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English literature of modern period (modernism)

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English literature of modern period (modernism)

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The modern period in English literature, also known as modernism, spans roughly the late nineteenth century to the mid-twentieth century. It was a period of radical change in culture, technology, science, and politics, which was reflected in literature.

Historical Context:

Technological Progress: The development of industry, electrification, motorised transport and other technologies led to accelerated life and cultural change.

World Wars: World Wars I and II had a profound impact on collective consciousness and literary creativity, reflecting the horrors of war and constant human suffering.

Major Themes:

Personality and Consciousness: The inner world of the individual, psychological conflicts, consciousness and the unconscious.

Doubt about values and truth: The breakdown of traditional worldviews, religious ideas and moral norms.

Technological progress and anonymisation: The individual in mass society, loss of individuality and anonymity in urban life.

Social and Political Issues: Critique of imperialism, colonialism, social inequalities and class struggle.

Literary features:

Experimental forms: Avant-garde approaches to structure, language and genres. Examples include stream of consciousness, collage, multi-person novel.

Symbolism and Metaphor: Use of symbols and metaphors to express complex ideas and emotions.

Complex style: The use of complex and multifaceted language that requires the active participation of the reader.