Literary Movements, Periods and Ages of English Literature
Literary Movements
Periods and Ages of English Literature
Literary Movements
1. Cavalier Poets
2. Metaphysical Poets
3. Amatory Fiction
4. The Augustans
5. Romanticism
6. Dark Romanticism
7. American Romanticism
8. Gothic Novels
9. Lake Poets
10. Pre-Raphaelitism
11. Transcendentalism
12. Realism
13. Naturalism
14. Verismo
15. Magical Realism
16. Decadent Movement
17. Symbolism
18. Futurism
19. Stream of Consciousness
20. Modernism
21. Expressionism
22. Imagism
23. War Poets
🔺Cavalier Poets:
17th Century
Supporters of King Charles
Mostly poets belong to Court
Love, Loyalty.
These poets take impression from
Ben Jonson’s Lyric Poem
These poets are known as Son of
Ben
🔺Metaphysical Poets:
This term was coined by Samuel
Johnson
Father and Founder of
Metaphysical Poet – John Donne
Meta – Beyond
Physical – the physical World
Metaphysical - “Beyond the Physical World”
These poets are learned and
intellectual poets
These poets are spiritual poets
They used far-fetched Metaphors and complex Themes
[Conceit
i.e. comparing two entirely different things like Simile and Metaphor]
Examples
for Far-fetched metaphors
Valediction of Weeping – Here
John Donne compares tears with Globe
A Valediction: Forbidding Weeping
– pair of lovers is compared to pair
of Compass
These
comparisons are a kind of Discordia
Concors’ (Italian Phrase) which means the combination of dissimilar things
20th century – T.S
Eliot – Essay – “The Metaphysical Poets” – he says that these metaphysical
poets has unification of sensibility in metaphysical poets thought and feeling.
Characteristics
of Metaphysical poets
Used Metaphysical Conceits
Unification of Sensibility
[fusion of thoughts and feelings]
Abrupt Opening – Example: “For
God Sake Fold Your Tongue and let me Love”
Platonic Love – Spiritual Love,
Union of Soul
Wit
Baroque Style – Use of Metaphors,
Hyperbole, Conceits, Puns, Paradox
Highly Intellectual
Ingenious Ideas
Incongruous Image
Frequently use of Paradox
Theme:
Spiritual, Love, Union of Soul
🔺Amatory Fiction
1660 to 1730
At this period novels began
Romance Novel dominated female
writers
Short stories
Writers: Aphra
Behn, Delarivier Manley, Eliza Haywood
🔺The Augustan
18th Century
Classical King
Alexander Pope – Epistle to
Augustus
Oliver Goldsmith gave this
term
Neo-Classical Age, Age of
Enlightenment
Writers:
Alexander Pope, Jonathan Swift
🔺Romanticism
Reactions were against
enlightenment
Writers:
Wordsworth, Coleridge, Keats, Shelly.
🔺Dark Romanticism – Writers: Edgar Allan Poe, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Herman Melville.
🔺American Romanticism –
Writers: Washington Irving, Nathaniel Hawthorne
🔺Gothic Novels:
Gothic Fiction
Supernatural Elements
Writers: Shelley, Mathew Lewis,
Charles Dickens
🔺Lake Poets:
William Wordsworth
S.T Coleridge
Robert Southey
De Quincy
There lived three poets known as
Lake Poets they were named after the Lake District in the north-west of
England. These poets had very common features to write poetry. For them poetry
flows through divine intuitions.
During this period from 1797 to
1808 they lived in Dove Cottage in
Lake District, England, where he met Coleridge and Southey. Then Thomas De
Quincy lived after Wordsworth in the same Cottage.
The term Lake Poets was first
recorded in the Edinburgh Review of 1816, They had a good comradeship and produced
collaborated works.
Works of Lake Poets
Lyrical Ballads
I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud
A Rime of the Ancient Mariner
Kubla Khan
Biographia Literaria
Church and State
Characteristics of Lake Poets
They were part of Romantic Movement
They were associated with several
other poets and writers including Charles Lamb, Thomas De Quincy
They tried to express their
feelings and thoughts through the most simple and artless poetic language.
Coleridge was addicted with Opium
Effect
Wordsworth used plan language and
he focused on Nature
Robert Southey focused on Travel
and Adventure, Historical Setting.
Periods and Ages in Literature
|
Old
English Period (Anglo Saxon) |
450 - 1066 |
|
Middle
English |
1066 - 1500 |
|
Renaissance
Elizabethan Age Jacobean Age Caroline Age Commonwealth Age |
1500 – 1660 1558 – 1603 1603 – 1625 1625 – 1649 1649 – 1660 |
|
Neo –
Classical Restoration Age Augustan Age Age of Sensibility |
1660 – 1785 1660 – 1700 1700 – 1745 1745 – 1785 |
|
Romantic
Age |
1785 – 1832 |
|
Victorian
Age |
1832 – 1901 |
|
Edwardian
Age |
1901 – 1914 |
|
Georgian
Age |
1910 - 1936 |
|
Modern
Period |
1914 |
|
Post-Modern
Period |
1945 |
1. Old English Period (Anglo-Saxon) (450 - 1066) 📜🛡️🏰
Overview:
The Old English Period, also known as the Anglo-Saxon Period, spans from 450 to 1066. This era is characterized by early forms of the English language and literature.
Historical Context:
- Invasions and Settlements: The period begins with the arrival of the Anglo-Saxons in England, displacing the Roman and Celtic influences.
- Tribal Societies: Society was organized into tribes and kingdoms, each with its chieftains and warriors.
- Christianization: Gradual conversion to Christianity starting around 597 AD with St. Augustine’s mission.
- Old English: The language of this period is Old English, a Germanic language that is quite different from modern English.
- Oral Tradition: Much of the literature was passed down orally, focusing on heroic deeds and the values of the warrior culture.
- Beowulf: 🐉⚔️ The most famous work, "Beowulf," is an epic poem that tells the story of a hero who battles the monster Grendel, Grendel's mother, and a dragon. It exemplifies the values of bravery, honor, and loyalty.
- The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle: 📜 A historical record that provides valuable insights into the period's events and society.
- Religious Texts: As Christianity spread, religious texts and sermons like those by Elfric and Wulfstan became more common.
- Scops: 🎤 Storytellers who performed poetry and stories, often accompanied by a harp.
- Runes: 🔤 The use of runic alphabets for inscriptions before Latin script became predominant.
- Heroic Code: Honor, bravery, loyalty to one's lord, and vengeance were central values.
- The period ends with the Norman Conquest in 1066, which brings profound changes to the English language and culture, transitioning into the Middle English Period.
Overview:
The Middle English Period follows the Norman Conquest of England in 1066 and lasts until 1500. This period saw significant changes in the English language and culture.
Historical Context:
- Norman Conquest: The Normans brought the French language and culture, influencing English society, law, and language.
- Feudal System: Society was structured around the feudal system with lords, vassals, and serfs.
- The Black Death: 🦠 The plague in the 14th century significantly impacted population and social structures.
- Middle English: The blending of Old English and Norman French created Middle English, which is more recognizable to modern readers.
- Chivalric Romance: Tales of knights, chivalry, and courtly love became popular.
- Geoffrey Chaucer's "The Canterbury Tales": 🏰📖 A collection of stories told by pilgrims traveling to Canterbury. It reflects various aspects of medieval society.
- Sir Gawain and the Green Knight: 🏇 A chivalric romance that explores themes of honor, bravery, and temptation.
- Mystery and Morality Plays: 🎭 Religious plays that depicted biblical stories and moral lessons, performed during festivals.
- Medieval Universities: 🎓 Establishment of institutions like Oxford and Cambridge.
- Guilds and Craftsmanship: 🛠️ The rise of guilds for different trades and crafts, which played a significant role in urban development.
- Courtly Love: 💖 The idea of courtly love influenced literature, emphasizing chivalry and romantic ideals.
- The introduction of the printing press by William Caxton in 1476 and the end of the Wars of the Roses marked the transition into the Renaissance.
Overview:
The Renaissance, spanning from 1500 to 1660, was a period of renewed interest in classical learning and the arts. This period is subdivided into several ages:
Historical Context:
- Humanism: 🌍 Emphasis on human potential and achievements, inspired by the rediscovery of classical texts.
- Exploration: 🗺️ Age of exploration and discovery, expanding knowledge of the world.
- Scientific Revolution: 🔬 Advances in science and understanding of the natural world.
Elizabethan Age (1558 – 1603): 👑
- Named after Queen Elizabeth I, this age is known for its flourishing of English drama and poetry.
- William Shakespeare: 🎭📜 Known for his plays like "Hamlet," "Romeo and Juliet," and "Macbeth."
- Christopher Marlowe: "Doctor Faustus," exploring themes of ambition and human limitation.
- Edmund Spenser: "The Faerie Queene," celebrating the virtues of a knightly hero.
- Named after King James I, literature during this time often explored darker themes.
- John Donne: 🖋️ Known for his metaphysical poetry, exploring complex themes of love and religion.
- Ben Jonson: Satirical plays and poetry.
- Named after King Charles I, this period is marked by political turmoil and the English Civil War.
- John Milton: 🖋️ "Paradise Lost," an epic poem about the fall of man.
- Robert Herrick: Lyric poetry celebrating the pleasures of life.
- Also known as the Puritan Interregnum, this period occurred after the execution of Charles I and the establishment of the Commonwealth under Oliver Cromwell.
- Literature was heavily influenced by Puritan ideals.
- Andrew Marvell: Poems reflecting the political and social upheavals of the time.
Overview:
The Neo-Classical Period, spanning from 1660 to 1798, is characterized by a return to classical ideals of order, rationality, and decorum.
Historical Context:
- The Enlightenment: 🌟 Intellectual movement emphasizing reason, science, and individualism.
- Political Stability: Restoration of the monarchy, followed by relative political stability in England.
Restoration Age (1660 – 1700): 👑
- Following the restoration of the monarchy with King Charles II.
- John Dryden: 🖋️ Known for his plays and satirical poems.
- Samuel Pepys: "Diary," offering insights into the period's daily life.
- Named after the Roman Emperor Augustus, focusing on order and rationality.
- Jonathan Swift: "Gulliver's Travels," a satirical exploration of human nature.
- Alexander Pope: "The Rape of the Lock," a mock-epic poem.
- Emphasis on emotion and individualism.
- Samuel Johnson: "Dictionary of the English Language," a monumental work in lexicography.
- Thomas Gray: "Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard," reflecting on mortality and nature.
Overview:
The Romantic Age, from 1798 to 1837, focused on emotion, nature, and individualism as a reaction against the industrial revolution and the constraints of the Neo-Classical Period.
Historical Context:
- Industrial Revolution: ⚙️ Rapid industrialization leading to social and economic changes.
- Revolutions: 🌍 Inspired by the American and French revolutions, emphasizing individual rights and freedoms.
- William Wordsworth: 🌿 "Lyrical Ballads," co-written with Samuel Taylor Coleridge, focusing on nature and the individual's emotional experience.
- Samuel Taylor Coleridge: "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner," exploring the supernatural and the power of nature.
- Lord Byron: 🌟 "Don Juan," a satirical epic poem.
- Percy Bysshe Shelley: "Ode to the West Wind," reflecting on change and the power of nature.
- John Keats: "Ode to a Nightingale," exploring themes of beauty, mortality, and the eternal.
Overview:
Named after Queen Victoria, the Victorian Age was a period of industrial growth, social reform, and literary richness.
Historical Context:
- Industrialization: 🏭 Rapid industrial growth leading to urbanization and social changes.
- Colonial Expansion: 🌍 The British Empire expanded, influencing global politics and economics.
- Social Reform: Efforts to address issues like child labor, women's rights, and public health.
- Charles Dickens: 📚 "Great Expectations," exploring themes of social class and personal growth.
- Charlotte Brontë: "Jane Eyre," focusing on the struggles and resilience of a young woman.
- Emily Brontë: "Wuthering Heights," a dark romantic novel exploring love and revenge.
- Thomas Hardy: "Tess of the d'Urbervilles," critiquing the social norms and injustices of the time.
- Victorian Morality: Emphasis on propriety, modesty, and social responsibility.
- Scientific Advancements: 🔬 Charles Darwin's "On the Origin of Species" challenged traditional beliefs.
- Art and Architecture: 🏛️ Gothic Revival in architecture, Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood in art.
Overview:
The Edwardian Age, named after King Edward VII, was a brief period characterized by its social and political change.
Historical Context:
- End of the Victorian Era: Transition from Victorian values to more modern attitudes.
- Technological Advances: 🚂 Development of automobiles, airplanes, and new technologies.
- Social Change: Growing awareness of social issues and movements for reform.
- E.M. Forster: "A Room with a View," exploring social conventions and personal freedom.
- H.G. Wells: "The War of the Worlds," a pioneering science fiction novel about an alien invasion.
- J.M. Barrie: "Peter Pan," capturing the whimsical and imaginative spirit of the time.
- Fashion: 🎩 Transition from Victorian clothing to more relaxed Edwardian styles.
- Leisure: Growth of leisure activities and the arts, with a focus on theater and music.
- Women's Rights: 🌸 Early movements for women's suffrage and greater social freedoms.
Overview:
The Georgian Age, covering the reign of King George V, saw a continuation of many Victorian themes but also the rise of modernism.
Historical Context:
- World War I: 🌍 The Great War (1914-1918) had a profound impact on society and literature.
- Interwar Period: A time of recovery, change, and the buildup to World War II.
- Rupert Brooke: 🌻 "The Soldier," reflecting the idealism and patriotism of early WWI.
- Siegfried Sassoon: "Counter-Attack," highlighting the brutal realities of war.
- Virginia Woolf: 🖋️ "Mrs Dalloway," an early modernist work exploring the inner lives of characters through stream of consciousness.
- Modernism: ✍️ A literary movement focusing on new narrative techniques and exploring the human psyche.
- Art and Music: 🎨 Development of abstract art and jazz music, reflecting the changing times.
- Social Change: Shifts in social norms, including the rise of new cultural and social movements.
Overview:
The Modern Period, spanning from 1914 to 1945, was marked by a break from traditional forms and the exploration of new narrative techniques.
Historical Context:
- World Wars: 🌍 Both World War I and World War II profoundly impacted society and literature.
- Technological Advances: 🚀 Rapid technological progress, including the development of the airplane and radio.
- James Joyce: 📖 "Ulysses," a groundbreaking work using stream of consciousness to explore a single day in Dublin.
- T.S. Eliot: "The Waste Land," a complex, fragmented poem reflecting the disillusionment of the post-WWI era.
- Virginia Woolf: "To the Lighthouse," exploring themes of time, memory, and consciousness.
- Modernism: A literary movement characterized by experimental techniques, fragmented narratives, and a focus on the inner self.
- Psychoanalysis: 🧠 Sigmund Freud's theories influenced literature's exploration of the unconscious mind.
- Art and Music: 🎨 Development of abstract art, Surrealism, and jazz music reflecting the era's complexity.
Overview:
The Post-Modern Period, from 1945 to the present, is characterized by its eclectic and diverse styles. Postmodern literature often explores themes of fragmentation, paradox, and unreliable narrators.
Historical Context:
- Post-WWII: 🌍 Reconstruction and the Cold War era, leading to rapid social and technological changes.
- Globalization: 🌐 Increasing interconnectedness of the world, impacting culture and literature.
- Samuel Beckett: "Waiting for Godot," an absurdist play highlighting the meaninglessness and uncertainty of human existence.
- Jorge Luis Borges: "Labyrinths," a collection of short stories exploring complex, metaphysical themes.
- Margaret Atwood: "The Handmaid's Tale," a dystopian novel exploring themes of gender and power.
- Postmodernism: A literary movement characterized by irony, playfulness, and a questioning of traditional narratives.
- Digital Age: 📱 The rise of digital technology and the internet, influencing how literature is created and consumed.
- Multiculturalism: 🌍 Literature reflecting diverse voices and experiences from around the world.
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