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Period: 450 to 1066
Old English
It's also called Anglo-Saxon. During this period the population of Great Britain (which spoke Celtic and Latin), was invaded by the English, Irish and Danish; which triggered the use of the English language mixed with Latin grammatical categories. -
800
Beowulf
It is considered the first great work of Germanic literature. It speaks of Scandinavian and Anglo-Saxon legends. -
Period: 1066 to 1075
Middle English
It was the transition period between Old English and Modern English. It was based primarily on religious writings.
During this period there were changes in the grammar of English, especially in word endings. In addition, French had an influence on English due to the French domination of England. -
1068
English
English becomes the language of the lower classes (peasants and slaves) while French becomes the language of the court and property classes. -
1367
Piers Plowman
Langland begins Piers Plowman's epic poem. -
1380
Canterbury
Chancer writes the Canterbury tales in Middle English. -
1474
First book printed in England
William Caxton brings a printing press to England from Germany and the first book printed in England is published. -
Period: 1500 to
English Renaissance
It was a time based on classical learning and focused on the human, art, literature, culture and politics. Beauty and creativity were valued.
It was divided into three periods: Elizabethan (1558-1603) during the reign of Queen Elizabeth, Jacobean (1603-1625) during the reign of King James I, and Caroline (1625-1653) during the reign of Charles I. -
1564
Marlowe and Shakespeare
Malowe and Shakespeare are born. -
Hamlet
The character of Hamlet is recognized as representing the main ideals of the Renaissance. -
Period: to
Puritan
This era is so called because the puritanical standards prevailed in England and its most representative figure was John Milton. The literature of this era included themes such as religious and political idealism. -
Period: to
Restoration Age
It receives this name because this period began after the Restoration of the Monarchy in 1660. During this period several literary forms gained confidence, including the novel, biography, history, travel writing and journalism. -
Paradise Lost
"Paradise Lost" by John Milton is published. -
Period: to
18th Century
During this time, debates about society and human nature were formed. It is considered the age of satire because writers used satire to criticize and expose social criticism. -
Robinson Crusoe novel
Due to its detailed realism, Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe is considered the first English novel. -
Dictorionary of the English language.
Samuel Johnson published his masterful dictionary of the English language. -
Lyrical Ballads
The English poets Wordsworth and Cobridge publish the work "Lyrical Ballads" one of the romantic landmarks. -
Period: to
Romanticism
It was a literary movement marked by a focus on the individual, respect for nature and the primitive, idealization of women and spirituality. -
Pride and Prejudice
The novel "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen is published -
To Autumn
One of the most famous works of Romanticism is published: "To Autumn" by John Keats -
Period: to
Victorian Age
This period took place during the reign of Queen Victoria and was characterized by a fusion of romantic and royalist styles. Her approach was based on idealistic portraits of difficult lives in which hard work, perseverance, love and luck prevailed. -
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.
Lewis Carroll published Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. -
Sherlock Holmes
The character Sherlock Holmes appears in Conan Doyle's first novel. -
Period: to
Modern Literature
This era was characterized by being totally opposite to the Victorian era because modern authors considered ugly things that were previously seen as beautiful and honorable.
Literary trends such as Dadaism, the current of consciousness, futurism, cubism, expressionism and imaginism emerged. -
Period: to
Post-modern Literature
This era was marked by parody, paranoia, black humor and self-confidence. One of the most representative works of this period is "The Crying of Lot 49" by Thomas Pynchon. -
Period: to
Contemporary
It is the literature written after the 2nd World War until today. This literature reflects different points of view on the political and social.
