Survey of British Literature

Survey of British LiteratureBritish literature has a long history which experienced long-term and complex process. In this process, the literature internal follow their own laws, through The old period,Medievalperiod,The Renaissance period, new classicism period,the romantic period ,Realism period and modernism literature period.Now I will make an outline about the development process of British literature. The old period(450~1066)In this period,Celts conquered by Romans.Anglo-Saxons came to British and also brought the literature to Britain. British original literature which was fimilar with other countries’ the original literature, is not written, but oral. The 5th century—— Anglo-Saxon times had the most important work , "Beowulf ". it is considered to be Britain's national epic. The Beowulf, a story about the hero Beowulf chopped demon and fight the dragon which has the legendary myth. Now we can see the poem is writed by England poet at eight century.At that time, Britain is in the society from pagan to Christian culture as the leading new social transition period. Accordingly, "Beowulf" also reflects the 7, 8 century British life style, showing a mixture of the old and new way of life, and clan period of heroism and feudal period of ideal, embodies the non Christian Germanic culture and Christian culture two kinds of different traditions.Medieval period(1066~ mid-14th centery) The 14th century later, British capitalist industry and commerce developed faster.Citizen class rose. English gradually returned to its reputation.Social strata generally used English.Geoffrey Chaucer marked the localliterature to appear for the mainstream of British literature in written form the beginning of history. The Canterbury Tales to a group of pilgrims from London set out to Canterbury pilgrimage for clues, through to The pilgrims vivid described and their tells The story along The way, draw The outline of a picture of The middle ages British society various life style picture. Chaucer pioneering heroes flowers, namely iambic pentameter double rhyme body, the English poetry rhythm made a great contribution which is known as "the father of English poetry." Chaucer style of writing scouring is exquisite, smooth nature, his creative practice English will ascend to a higher level of literature, so as to promote the English as a British unified national language process. The Renaissance period(14th~ 17th)The Renaissance period of the formation of ideological system known as humanism, it emphasizes thatpeople-oriented, against the middle ages to god as the center of world outlook, advocate positive enterprising, enjoy this life happy life ideal. Thomas Moore is the most major early humanist, his "Utopia" criticized the British and European society, design a social equality, property public, people harmonious Utopia. Utopia has become the pronoun of idealistic, but Utopia is the author of the social status of the result of serious thinking. "Utopia" initiated The British philosophy fantasy novel traditional first, The traditional from The bacon's "New onishi island" (The New Atlantis), swift's "Gulliver's Travels", burt's "elvis red huang" (Erewhon) has been extended to The 20th century science fiction. Renaissance poetry creation prosperity, Edmund Spenser of The long poem "The fairy after" sing praise to The queen, promote humanistic thought. He created the "spencer verse" every day poem has nine line, rhythm, complex, with soft, beautiful haunted ears musicality. Francis Bacon is the period of the mostimportant proser, his literature is the main contribution of the dissertate corpus "(Essays), a total of 58 article. These articles theme is extensive, content involves philosophy, religion, political system and marriage, love, friendship, gardening, reading, etc., style of writing is elegant, with antique and understand smooth. The British drama originated in the medieval church religious ceremonies, based on the bible story mystery drama and miracle play at 14, 15 century Britain a dominant position on the stage, and then appeared to abstract concept as the characters' morality play. By the 16th century, the drama into the florescence. Christopher Marlowe to break through the shackles of the old forms of drama, created a new drama. "Tamerlane emperor" The doctor Faustus tragedy "" The Jew of Malta "plays reflect The Renaissance that endless exploration spirit and extreme individualism spirit. Marlowe drama will be focused on a key role to practice, his character analysis and his blank verse drama dialogue, to the development of English drama has made an indelible contribution.English Renaissance is the most outstanding writer William Shakespeare (the empty vessels make 1564-1616), all his works include two long poem, 154 sonnets and 38 department (say of 39) drama. Shakespeare's plays have major comedy "A Midsummer Night's Dream", The Merchant of Venice ", tragedy" Romeo and Juliet ," Hamlet " Othello " King Lear Macbeth "historical play" Henry IV ", melo The Tempest (The leakag, etc. Shakespeare created character distinct characters, show the feudal system and the capitalist system alternate period surging forward with great momentum pictures of the past, publicize the humanism and personality liberation. The mission of his profound ideological content and artistic technique of expression superb, centuries, long play stage. Shakespeare is a master of language, he skillfully use English, English richexpression to acme. At the same time with Shakespeare or later and a batch of playwright in creation, Ben jonson is one of the most main writer, Shakespeare had in His comedy everyone happy " play the role. Jonson irony comedy The fox ", The Alchemist" revealed The social people chase money to The atmosphere, comedy is very strong.The new classicism period(1660~ 1798) John Milton were active in the bourgeois revolution, served the republic government Latin secretary, wrote quite a lot of articles to defend republic. In 1660, Charles ii home restoration, Milton once arrested, in a friend help just have to avoid death, released to go home. In the state of the blind, he finished the long poem "Paradise Lost" and "Paradise Regained", verse drama Samson Agonistes ". These works reflect the restoration after Milton inner pain as well as to the bourgeois revolution unswerving attitude, magnificent style. 17 th-century English poetry another one is metaphysical poetry, a representative poet John dunn and Andrew Marvell. Metaphysical characteristic is the peculiar image and do not provide craftsmanship parables, knead exquisite feelings and deep speculative at an organic whole. Metaphysical poetry in the 18th and 19th centuries has been ignored for the world, until the early 20th century, just from a historical dust seal of rescue dawn, to produce a great impact on the modernism poetic.The Romantic period(1798 ~ 1832)The late 18th and early 19th centuries, the British style big change. Scottish peasant poet Robert Burns to British parnassus bring a breath of fresh air. His lyrics natural vivid, feelings are sincere, satires sharp sharp, full of humour and wit. William Blake is woodblock artists and poets, imagine strange, extremely rich individual character. He's short poems image is bright, language and pure and fresh, later long poem content are quite obscure.In his poetry establish a set of unique myth system, with mysticism colour. Black's revolutionary, originality and complexity make him a pioneer of romantic poetryThe realism period(1836~ 1901)In 1837, Queen Victoria was in her reign, British once made the world trade and industrial monopoly position, science, culture, art appeared prosperous situation. British Victorian poetry show and romanticism distinct style, poetry people no longer indulge in subjective feelings of the vent, but pay attention to form of elegance, strives for perfection to the. Robert Browning (Robert Browning, 1812 -, - 1889) in early drama creation, then special writing dramatic monologue. Dramatic monologue is a through the confessions of a hero or talk to express emotion without blank verse. In The Pippa passed ", The Ring and Book and other works, The poet take" The mask ", into The drama character inner world, with its tone of voice talk volubly, language is very vivid, The speaker full of life. The modern literature periodThe works of this period went against traditional way of writing.It has a feeling of absurd and distorted.Bronte sisters in the 19th century occupies in the history of British literature with unique status. Charlotte Bronte who is famous for "Jane Eyre" ,Emily Bronte’s masterpiece is Wuthering Heights.And Anne Bronte Also published the novel ——Agnes Grey.Charles Dickens's famous novel “Oliver Twist”, "David Copperfield" "Great Expectations" are all the orphan for heroes. These may be related to the writer's unfortunate childhood experiences.。