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Showing posts with the label History of English Literature

The Rape of the Lock (Canto III) by Alexander Pope

Alexander Pope Alexander Pope is the most illustrious writer of the 18th century. He was born in 1688 in London. He was a born poet. He used to compose poetry when he was a child. Pope tells in his Epistle to Dr. Arbuthnot : As yet a child, not yet a fool to fame I lisped in numbers, for the numbers came. Alexander Pope is famous for his The Pastorals , Windsor Forest, The Rape of the Lock, Essay on Criticism, Epistle to Dr. Arbuthnot and The Dunciad . Pope’s translation of Homer offered him great prestige and prosperity. The Rape of the Lock is Pope’s masterpiece. It is one of the best poems in English language. It was first published in 1712 and later published as final version in 1714. It is based on an actual incident of his time. It is a mock epic poem. It is a classic of drawing room society. This composition shows Pope’s mastery over the use of bathos and the heroic couplet. The Rape of the Lock describes a trifling incident of real life. Belinda and Petre are two major...

The Origin & Growth of English Drama up to Christopher Marlowe

The Origin & Growth of English Drama up to Christopher Marlowe The drama is that form of composition that is designed to be performed on stage. In this form of composition the actors play role for certain characters. They perform certain action and utter certain dialogues. The drama is deeply rooted in the religious instincts of man. It never lost its kinship with religion. In almost all the countries it has been cradled by religion. This is true about England too. In England drama developed in the courtyard of the church. The church began to use dramatic elements as the part of their services in the certain festival or ritual. The purpose behind this use was to give deep understanding of the religion to the believer. The stories of such plays were written by the clergy and performed by them using Latin language. Only in certain cathedrals and monasteries such plays were performed. It was difficult to understand these plays because they were in Latin. So in most of the plays the...

English Novel: The Story of its Development up to 18th Century

English Novel: The Story of its Development up to 18th Century The discovery of the modern novel is a typical gift of the 18th Century. It is the original contribution of England to the world of literature. The novel as a popular genre began with Richardson's Pamela in 1740. But the root of the English novel plunges deep through the centuries. In the 14th and 15th centuries the novel was in the process of formation. In those early days the novel was in the form of romantic tales based upon adventures and romantic episodes. A certain amount of prose fiction did exist in the 16th and 17th centuries also. The Beginning: Malory's Le Morte Darthur is a noticeable romance. It was the first English romance. With this book the English novel took a distinctive forward step. Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales has all the qualities of the latter day fiction. In The Canterbury Tales Chaucer produced the first English novel. Another great work of value before the Elizabethan fiction was ...

University Wits: A Note

University Wits: A Note The drama before Shakespeare found its full flowering with the dramatists called the University Wits. These dramatists were well-educated scholars. They wrote in the closing years of the 16th Century. This name of University Wits was given to them because they were nearly all educated at Oxford or Cambridge University. Wit was the synonym for scholar. All the University Wits have several features in common. They had stormy careers. All of them were actively associated with the theatre. They were usually actors as well as dramatists. They understood the requirements of the stage and felt the pulse of the audience. They often worked in collaboration with each other. Their store material was also common. With these dramatists English drama reached the highest point of glory. In many ways they developed English drama. Christopher Marlowe was the most shining star among the University Wits. Others were Lyly, Peele, Greene, Lodge, Nash and Kyd. John Lyly: As a ...

Christopher Marlowe: An Introduction

Christopher Marlowe: An Introduction Christopher Marlowe is one of the greatest playwrights of Elizabethan England. He was the most shining star among the University Wits. He is appreciated in the entire world for the establishment of powerful dramatic blank verse. In spite of a very short career of play writing, his achievements are diverse and splendid. Swinburne calls him ā€˜the first great English poet, the father of English tragedy and the creator of blank verse’. Christopher Marlowe was baptized in a church at Canterbury, England, on February 26, 1564. He was the son of John Marlowe who was a shoemaker of Canterbury. He is known as Kit Marlowe too. His early years were spent in Canterbury. He received his school education at King’s School Canterbury. After that with the help of a patron he went up to Cambridge in 1581 and obtained his degree in 1583. Arthur Compton Rickett says, ā€œOf his life after 1583, little is knownā€. Christopher Marlowe was a versatile genius. He acquired...

Restoration Age: A Note

Restoration Age: A Note The period from 1660 to 1700 is named as the Restoration period. The people of England were suffering from tension due to strict rule of Cromwell. That is why the nation welcomed the Restoration of Charles II. In 1660 King Charles II was brought to the throne. This Restoration brought about a revolutionary change in the social life and literature of England. The following characteristics distinguish this period: 1. The Restoration: King Charles II was a thorough debauch. He was immoral. He had a number of mistresses. He was surrounded by corrupt courtiers all the time. Due to king’s carelessness and weakness corruption was rampant in all walks of life. Thus during this period integrity, spiritual zeal, moral earnestness and decorum were thrown to winds. 2. Religious and Political Quarrels: In the Restoration period we see the rise of two political parties. They were the Whigs and the Tories. The Whigs were opposing and the Tories were supporting the king. Th...

The Age of Chaucer: A Note

The Age of Chaucer: A Note  Introduction: The age of Chaucer is the first significant period in the literary history of England. In every walk of life there were signs of change. The social, political, religious and literary changes were taking place. In short, it was an age of change. The age of Transition: The age of Chaucer was a transitional age. The medievalism was departing and modernism was developing slowly. Wycliffe and his followers were sowing the seeds of Reformation. They were making attack upon the church. Individualism was being emphasized. Military events were contributing to the growth of patriotism and national consciousness. The industrial development was giving rise to the middle and working classes. It led to the end of feudal system. In this way we find that the age of Chaucer was an era of transition. Growth of National Sentiment: The age of Chaucer witnessed the beginning of the Hundred Years War. England was at war with Scotland and France. This ...

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