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Geoffrey Chaucer begins writing his masterpiece in Middle English. This work is crucial for establishing English as a literary language, moving away from Latin and French, and offering a vivid social portrait of the age.
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William Shakespeare writes his greatest tragedies (Hamlet, Macbeth) and comedies. His works cemented the dramatic structure and introduced thousands of words and phrases into the English language, defining the Elizabethan era.
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John Milton publishes his epic poem, written in blank verse, which re-tells the Biblical story of the Fall of Man. It is considered one of the greatest works of literature in the English language, famous for its complex theology and elevated style.
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Jonathan Swift publishes his famous work of satire. This era, known as the Augustan Age, prioritized reason, wit, and structure, using literature to critique society, politics, and human nature with sharp intellectualism.
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William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge publish Lyrical Ballads, marking the beginning of the Romantic Age. This movement prioritized emotion, nature, the individual imagination, and the sublime over the rigid logic of the Enlightenment.
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The publication of major works like Jane Eyre (Brontë) and early works by Dickens. Victorian literature focused on social issues, class structure, morality, and realism, driven by the industrial revolution and its consequences.
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Authors begin experimenting with radical new forms, rejecting traditional narrative structures and chronological order. This movement was deeply influenced by psychology (Freud) and World War I.
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James Joyce publishes his landmark novel, which uses stream-of-consciousness, mythical parallels, and linguistic complexity to chart a single day in Dublin. It is often cited as the pinnacle of literary Modernism.
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George Orwell publishes his dystopian novel, setting the stage for Post-War literature. This era often dealt with totalitarianism, loss of individuality, and existential anxiety, reflecting global conflicts and Cold War tensions.
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Characterized by skepticism, irony, and the conscious use of metafiction (writing about writing). Writers question grand narratives and often blend genres, reflecting a highly fragmented and technologically saturated world.