History of English Literature

1. Old English (Anglo-Saxon) Period (450 to 1066)

Characteristics: Comprises works written in Old English, predominantly epic poetry like "Beowulf" and religious texts.

2. Middle English Period (1066 to 1500)

Characteristics: Marked by the Norman Conquest and the influence of Norman French on the English language. Geoffrey Chaucer's "The Canterbury Tales" is a notable work from this period.

3. Renaissance Period (1500 to 1660)

Characteristics: A time of intellectual and artistic growth, with a focus on humanism and classical influences. William Shakespeare's plays, sonnets, and works like Edmund Spenser's "The Faerie Queene" are emblematic of this period.

Jacobean Period (1603 to 1625)

Characteristics: Named after King James I, this period continued the trends of the Renaissance. Shakespeare's later works and the King James Bible were produced during this time.

Caroline Period (1625 to 1649)

Characteristics: Named after King Charles I, this period saw the emergence of metaphysical poetry and the rise of political and religious tensions leading up to the English Civil War.

Commonwealth (Puritan Interregnum) Period (1649 to 1660)

Characteristics: Following the execution of Charles I and the establishment of the Commonwealth under Oliver Cromwell, this period was marked by Puritan influence on literature and a decline in theatrical production.

4. Neoclassical Period (1660 to 1798)

Restoration Period (1660 to 1700)

Characteristics: After the Restoration of Charles II, there was a resurgence of the arts and theater. Comedy of manners and restoration drama were prominent genres.

Augustan Age or The Age of Pope (1702 to 1745)

Characteristics: Emphasized reason, order, and satire. Writers like Alexander Pope and Jonathan Swift contributed to the development of this period.

5. Romantic Period (1798 to 1832)

Characteristics: Focused on emotion, nature, individualism, and imagination. Notable figures include William Wordsworth, Samuel Coleridge, and Mary Shelley.

6. Victorian Period (1832 to 1901)

Characteristics: Named after Queen Victoria, this era explored social issues, industrialization, and scientific advancements. Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, and the Brontë sisters are prominent authors.

7. Modern Period (1901 to 1939)

Characteristics: Marked by experimentation with narrative forms, disillusionment after World War I, and exploration of the subconscious. T.S. Eliot, James Joyce, and Virginia Woolf are notable modernist writers.

8. Postmodern Period (1939 to -)

Characteristics: Challenges traditional narratives, blurs genres, and examines the impact of technology and mass media. Authors like Salman Rushdie and Margaret Atwood exemplify postmodern literature.

These divisions provide a general framework for understanding the evolution of English literature, but it's important to note that literary periods often overlap and don't follow strict chronological boundaries.