Survey of British Literature

“Histories make men wise; poets witty; the mathematics subtile; natural philosophy deep; moral grave; logic and rhetoric able to contend.” --- Of Studies
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Romanticism: subjectivism rather than objectivism, “the
heart” rather than “the head”
Characteristic feature of the romantic movement Lake poets: Lyrical Ballads Active Romanticists Romantic Novelists
Style of Writing
Blank verse is characterized by its employment of long and involved sentences. Another characteristic of his style is the use of allusions(隐喻）to other works, especially the classic works.
Lake Poets
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William Wordsworth (1770-1850) Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834) Robert Southey (1774-1843)
Actk
George Gordon Byron (1788-1824): Don Juan Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792-1822): Prometheus Unbound “A Defence of Poetry” John Keats (1795-1821)

英国文学的意义英文作文英文：The significance of British literature is immense, asit has played a crucial role in shaping the cultural and historical identity of the United Kingdom. From the worksof William Shakespeare to the contemporary writings of authors like J.K. Rowling, British literature has had a profound impact on the world.One of the key aspects of British literature is its ability to reflect the social, political, and economic conditions of the time in which it was written. For example, the works of Charles Dickens, such as "Oliver Twist" and "Great Expectations," provide a vivid portrayal of the hardships faced by the lower classes during the Industrial Revolution. These novels not only entertained readers but also shed light on the injustices prevalent in society, sparking discussions and calls for reform.Furthermore, British literature has contributed significantly to the development of the English language. Many commonly used phrases and idioms have originated from British literary works. For instance, phrases like "break the ice" and "beyond the shadow of a doubt" can be traced back to British literature. These expressions have become an integral part of the English language, used by peopleall over the world in their everyday conversations.Moreover, British literature has had a lasting impact on popular culture. The characters and stories from British novels and plays have been adapted into films, television shows, and even video games. For example, the "Harry Potter" series by J.K. Rowling has not only captivated readers but has also spawned a successful film franchise and theme park attractions. The influence of British literature on popular culture is undeniable, as it continues to inspire and entertain audiences globally.In conclusion, British literature holds great significance in the world of literature and beyond. Its ability to reflect societal issues, shape the Englishlanguage, and influence popular culture makes it an invaluable part of human history.中文：英国文学的意义是巨大的，因为它在塑造英国的文化和历史身份方面起着至关重要的作用。

英语论文SurveyOfBritishLiteratureSurvey Of British LiteratureAs we all know,literature is a kind of arts and reflect social reality.For British literature,we can devided it into seven different periods.From these periods,we can understand about all the British literature.The first period is old period,from 450 to 1066.At that time,Celts conquered by Romans.Anglo-Saxons and the Noman.So life was hard and difficult.But people was free and happy.Literature genre in this period is poetry.Two group of poetry was religious and secular.And the represent work is 《Beowulf》.Because of Norman invaded the England,so there was religion in the England.From 1066 to mid-14th century was the second period named Medieval period.Literature in this period was barren and flourishing.And the representative writers include John Gower William Langland and Geoffrey Chaucer.But the people lose the freedom and happiness as well as restricted.It’s Roman Catholic oppression.So they wanted to rebirth freedom and happiness..In that case,the third period-Renaissance Period beginning.From mid-14th century to 17th century.The spiritual prop is humanism.The mainstream of literature in this period is drama.For drama,we must know a famous playwright named William Shakespeare.He was born in Stratford in 1564.In 1586,he went to London as actor and playwright.In 1591-1611,in the prime of his career.In 1610,he retired to Stratford.In 1616,he died.For his all life can divided into three parts.One of apprenticeship,characterized by histories and comedies.Thesecond part is his style and approach become highly individualized.The last part is his great tragedies,so-dark comedies.In this period,people felt free and happy again.At the same time,people became over joyful,over passionate and lose the rules.It’s the mark that the new period will come.Eventually,from 1660 to 1798,the Neoclassical Period came.People refind the rules and regulation from acient Greule and Roman.Alexander Poper was the people who push literature from Renaissance Period to Neoclassical Period.His masterpiece was 《An essay on criticism 》,《Robinson crusoe》was a work that even everyone knew.The work’s writer is Daniel Defoe.At his 60,he began to write his first novel-Robinson Crusoe.Henry Fielding famous as”Father of the English Novel”.His contribution to the establishment of the form of the English modern novel.The first one to use”comicepic in prose”,the first to give the modern novel its structure and style,especially,he adopted “the third-person narration”.Samuel Johnson’s great contribution to the English language is he edited a dictionary of the English language.In 1798,with the publication of wordsworth and Coleridge’s the《Lyrical Balled》,the Romantic Period coming.In this period,producted many famous works.Like 《Don Juan》,《Ode to the west wind》,《Pride and Prejudice》and so on.But,in the Romantic Period,people lost hope to the society.So there was the sixth period –Realistic Period,also named “the Victorian P eriod”.In the Victorian Period,the Britain was “workshop of the world”,”sun-never-set-empire”,the society wasprosperity and stability.For this period,we can devide it into three parts.The first is economic development of England andsevere social problems.The second is prospelity and stabity.The last is decline in every aspect.Charles Dickens was famous for 《Oliver Twist》,《A Tale Of Two Cities》and《David Copperfield》,he is the greatest critical realist writer.A couple of sisters is also famous.They are Bronte sisters.《Jane Eyre》by Charlotte Bronte,Emily Bronte and her《Wuthering Heights》.Another writer who named George Eliot,he put forward the Feminine Literary outlook.Then time to the seventh period-Modern Period.At that time,everything was disorder,became absurd and went against traditional ways.And there were also great changes in the early decades of the 20th century.Like economic depressions,WWI and WWII,new ideas at the turn of the century,Darwin’s theory of relativity and so on.T.S.Eliot was a writer in this period,he born in America and lived in England.His masterpiece is《The Waste Land》.From this seven period,we may know the development of British literature.And I think it’s useful to our studies.。

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.。