English
Literary Studies

English literature was first produced from the 7th century. The major literary works written in the English language outside the British Isles were treated differently as opposed to American, Australian, Canadian, and New Zealand literature. 

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Even though English literature was isolated from the outside world, its rich influence across the world is showing brightly to this day. With the help of the Celtic fringes and some other parts of the world, English literature was able to thrive. From the Anglo-Saxon era to modern day, English literature is still developing and evolving due to the cultural, social, and political changes, not limited to England. 

 

William Shakespeare, one of the most famous, if not THE most famous influential writers in the history of literature, had been called the greatest writer of the English language. Another significant mention, Jane Austen, was known for her commentary writing and satirical depictions, which she presented to her community. One worth mentioning being "Pride and Prejudice," a novel. 

 

The English language also plays a huge role in the development of the land and its people. The English competed with the Latin and Anglo-Norman French, especially among the literate minority, and faced loads of challenges due to its dialectal diversity. 

 

​However, linguistic revolutions occurred between 1350 and 1400, which resulted in English being established as a literary language. The Elizabethan Era saw the Golden Age of English Literature, with William Shakespeare's plays achieving peak popularity and widespread love. The King James' version of the Bible in 1611 further influenced everyone. Over the centuries, English literature has evolved drastically, especially with the addition of many diverse influencers and the addressing of social concerns, to solidify its place as something that represents a culture. 

 

English literature goes all the way back over a millennium. Here are some especially splendid times when history and culture combined to transform. 

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• The Anglo-Saxon Period 

  • ​Old English literature

  • Diverse works (e.g., the epic poem Beowulf

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• The Middle English Period 

  • Following the Norman Conquest of 1066, it was the French who influence the Middle English

  • Main works include Geoffrey Chaucer's "The Canterbury Tales" and William Langland's "Piers Plowman"

 

• The Elizabethan Era 

  • The late 16th century: European Renaissance

  • The Golden Age of William Shakespeare's plays and the King James Bible

 

• The 17th and 18th Centuries

  • Religious and political conflicts influenced poetry

  • The dichotomy of classicism and romanticism dominated

  • The featuring of writers like Alexander Pope, William Blake, and Jane Austen

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• The 19th and 20th Centuries 

  • English literature addressed social concerns

  • Regional influence from writers (e.g., the Brontë sisters, Charles Dickens)

  • Key writers like Virginia Woolf, T.S. Eliot, and Salman Rushdie