English Literature

English Literature refers to the body of written works produced in the English language, including poetry, prose, and drama. It spans centuries, from the medieval period to contemporary times, encompassing a diverse range of themes, styles, and cultural influences.

Major Periods of English Literature:

• Old English (Anglo-Saxon) Period (450–1066) – Example: Beowulf
• Middle English Period (1066–1500) – Example: Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales
• Renaissance (1500–1660) – Example: William Shakespeare’s plays and sonnets
• Neoclassical Period (1660–1798) – Example: Alexander Pope’s The Rape of the Lock
• Romantic Period (1798–1837) – Example: William Wordsworth & Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s Lyrical Ballads
• Victorian Period (1837–1901) – Example: Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations
• Modernist Period (1901–1945) – Example: Virginia Woolf’s Mrs Dalloway
• Postmodern & Contemporary Period (1945–Present) – Example: Salman Rushdie’s Midnight’s Children

Key Themes in English Literature:

• Love and passion
• War and conflict
• Identity and self-discovery
• Power and corruption
• Nature and imagination
• Social justice and inequality

English literature continues to evolve, reflecting changes in society, politics, and human emotions. It remains a powerful medium for storytelling, critical thought, and artistic expression.