Literature color

The History of English Literature

  • Period: 400 to

    English Literature

  • Middle English 1066-1500's
    Jan 1, 1066

    Middle English 1066-1500's

    In Middle English ideas and themes from French and Celtic literature appeared. Chaucer was the first great name in this period of English literature. He introduces the iambic pentameter line, rhyming couplet and other rhymes.
  • Tudor Lyric Poetry 1500's - 1600's
    Jan 1, 1500

    Tudor Lyric Poetry 1500's - 1600's

    Lyric poetry in English begins in the 16th century with the work the great poets such as Sir Thomas Wyatt and Henry Howard,
  • Renaissance Drama 1520-1625
    Jan 1, 1520

    Renaissance Drama 1520-1625

    The introduction of theatre with writers such as Marlowe and Shakespeare.
  • Elizabethan Lyric Poetry 1572-1700's
    Jan 1, 1572

    Elizabethan Lyric Poetry 1572-1700's

    Elizabethen Lyric Poetry metaphysical poetry.The greatest of Elizabethan lyric poets is John Donne whose short love poems are involve wit and irony. Many poets of this era were preoccupied with the big questions of love, death and religious faith.
  • Epic Poetry 1600's - 1700's

    Epic Poetry 1600's - 1700's

    Epic Poetry were long poems that told about heroic events. These poets include Homer and John Milton.
  • Prose Fiction 1600's - 1700's

    Prose Fiction 1600's - 1700's

    Writers such as Johnathon Swift wrote satires and prose. The most popular was "Gulliver's Travels".
  • Romanticism 1785-1830

    Romanticism 1785-1830

    A movement, especially in literature, when writers focused on passion and intellect.
  • Reaslism 1860-1890

    Reaslism 1860-1890

    Beginning in the 19th century, Realism focuses on the actual rather than the abstract.
  • Modern Literature 1865-present

    Modern Literature 1865-present

    Realism is still part of today's modern literature. Of course there are many differences, however, between 19th century, 20th ceentury, and 21st century writers.
  • Old English  490-1150

    Old English 490-1150

    The language of the Anglo-Saxons. Old English is now known as foreighn and dead.