History of English Literature

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History of English literature To talk about the History of English literature it is best to start talking about English literature. English literature does not only include literature written by English authors, but also literature written by Scottish, Irish and Welsh authors. The English literature started with the introduction of the Old English by the Anglo-Saxons (medieval times), and continues in the present times. The English literature alongside the American literature is the most read, and the most known. The history of English literature began in the Medieval Times, when the Anglo-Saxons introduced the Old English. This Old English resembles today’s Icelandic and Norwegian language. This Old English period or Anglo-Saxon period starts roughly around 450 and finishes roughly around 1050. Most of the literature produced in this period was poetry, and the most outstanding and epic poem produced was Beowulf. The poem describes the story of a selfless hero, Beowulf, who kills his monster-mother and then returns to his country. Almost all the poetry produced in this time had no rhyme, although nearly all of them had alliteration and consonance. The Middle English or Anglo-Norman period (1066-1485), is the period known for the extensive influence of French literature on native English forms and themes. This is because the Normans (French), defeated the Anglo-Saxon king at the battle of Hastings (1066), and conquered England. The Normans then inaugurated a completely new approach to literature. The Normans were the first civilisation to bring into England the cultural and practical ideas of Roman civilisation as well the Latin language, leaving the English language fall into the background. The Anglo-Saxon strength and grandeur, the magnificent sagas telling of the tragic struggles of men and gods had disappeared. In their place a bright, varied, talkative

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