ENGLISH 9: Anglo-American Anglo Saxon Literature

Summary

This virtual English class explores the evolution of literature in England and the USA from ancient times to the present. It highlights key literary periods, genres, and influential writers, such as Beowulf in Old English, Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, Shakespeare's sonnets, and the gothic fiction of Mary Shelley. The lesson emphasizes literature's role in reflecting societal changes and sparking imagination, concluding with a reflection on appreciating foreign literature.

Takeaways

• 📚 Literature is a reflection of a country's sociological, cultural, and historical developments.
• 🎭 The genre of 'epic' was popular in ancient times, with 'Beowulf' being a notable example from the Anglo-Saxon period.
• 📜 Biblical and religious themes dominated poetry during the ancient Anglo-Saxon period, with poets like Caedmon known for such works.
• 🏰 The Middle Ages saw the transition from Latin to the vernacular in literature, with heroic tales and romances becoming prevalent.
• 🤴 Sir Thomas Malory and the emergence of vernacular literature, exemplified by 'Le Morte d'Arthur', were significant during the medieval period.
• 📖 'The Canterbury Tales' by Geoffrey Chaucer is a famous collection of stories from the Middle Ages, showcasing diverse narratives.
• 🎭 The Renaissance period marked a transition to modernity, with William Shakespeare being a prominent figure known for his sonnets and plays.
• 🏞 Pastoral poetry, focusing on the simplicity of rural life, was also a feature of the Renaissance, with poets like Christopher Marlowe.
• 🤔 The Age of Enlightenment emphasized reason and featured genres like satire, with Jonathan Swift and Alexander Pope being notable satirists.
• 👻 Gothic fiction, combining horror and fiction, emerged during the Romantic period, with Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein' being a seminal work.
• 🌉 The modern to contemporary period has seen literature address social injustices and commentaries on life, with authors like F. Scott Fitzgerald and T.S. Eliot.

Q & A

What is the significance of analyzing the literature of a country?

Analyzing the literature of a country helps us understand its sociological, cultural, and historical developments, as literature often reflects the forms, conventions, and genres of a society's evolution.

What is the genre of literature that was popular during the ancient times before the 5th century?

The epic was a popular genre during this period, characterized by long poems that recount the adventures and triumphs of a hero, such as Beowulf in Anglo-Saxon literature.

What are the key themes found in the poems written during the ancient Anglo-Saxon period?

Poems from the ancient Anglo-Saxon period were often laden with biblical and religious themes, reflecting the cultural and spiritual values of the time.

Who are the famous poets known for their religious and biblical themed poems during the Anglo-Saxon period?

Caedmon is a famous poet from the Anglo-Saxon period known for his religious and biblical themed poems, although the script mistakenly mentions 'Kenny Wolf' which seems to be an error.

What changes occurred in literature during the Middle Ages or medieval period?

During the Middle Ages, literary works transitioned from being written in Latin to modern English, and genres such as heroic tales and romances, reflecting chivalry and knightly adventures, became prominent.

Who is considered the father of English literature and what is his famous work?

Geoffrey Chaucer is considered the father of English literature, known for his work 'The Canterbury Tales,' a collection of stories told by a diverse group of pilgrims on a journey to Canterbury.

What was the impact of the Renaissance period on literature?

The Renaissance period marked a transition from the Middle Ages to modernity, with literature reflecting a renewed interest in personal expression, as seen in William Shakespeare's sonnets and plays.

What are the characteristics of pastoral poetry?

Pastoral poetry is characterized by its focus on shepherding and the simplicity of rural life, often contrasting the innocence of the countryside with the corruption of city life.

Which literary genre was utilized by writers during the Age of Enlightenment to criticize social norms?

Satire was a literary genre used during the Age of Enlightenment to question and criticize social norms, employing humor to attack societal issues.

What is the significance of the term 'vernacular literature' as mentioned in the script?

Vernacular literature refers to works written in the language spoken by the common people, as opposed to a scholarly or foreign language, making literature more accessible to a wider audience.

How did the Romantic and Realistic periods differ in their approach to literature?

The Romantic period focused on imagination and free forms of expression, often featuring gothic fiction, while the Realistic period aimed to portray societal problems and the lives of common people with a more grounded approach.

What is the significance of literature in everyday life according to the script?

Literature is significant in everyday life as it connects individuals with larger truths and ideas in society, allowing people to record and share their thoughts and experiences in an accessible way.