Discuss the role of mythology during the era of ancient works in English Literature.

 Role of mythology during the era of ancient works in English Literature:

One of English literature's most profound sources of inspiration has always been mythology. Throughout its history, mythology served as a creative catalyst and a cultural foundation, from its earliest stages, when oral traditions shaped the collective imagination, to later written works that appropriated and reinterpreted ancient myths. Myth was used to explain human experience, morality, and divine mystery during the early parts of English literary history, especially the Old English, Middle English, and early Renaissance periods. Not only did the myths of Greece, Rome, and the Norse world offer stories, but they also provided philosophical frameworks, archetypes, and symbols that were essential to the development of English language and thought.

 

Write a Short note on Middle English Romance.

Middle English Romance:

    Middle English Romances were entertaining stories of Anglo- Norman period. They were French in origin. Before the time of Mallory these legendary tales of Norman and Teutonic were written in verse. These were written at first by Norman poets. These were fascinating tales. In other words, these Romances were stories of thrilling, adventure, and supernatural. And the sources of these Romances were the matter of French, Matter of Rome and Matter of Britain.

What was the Norman Conquest of England?

Norman Conquest of England:

    The Norman Conquest of England in 1066 is an event of great significance in the life of Anglo-Saxon people and their literature. The Norman were races of Pagan Danes. They had affinity with the Anglo- Saxon. When the Danes became the masters of French province call Normandy and Saxons, they settled in the island. In 1066 William the duke of Normandy claimed the English crown on the death of King Edward the confessor. He invaded England with a large army. Harold, the English king, marched to the south of the country. He took up position on a hill about six miles from Hestings, where the Norman's found him. A battle took place which is known as Battle of Hastings. The Saxons army was destroyed. Norman archers killed their enemies including Harold Godwinson; the king himself. William became free to march to London and claimed himself as the king of England. This is how English suffered a defeat on the field of Hastings. 

Give an Account of the Treatment of Nature in Old English Poetry.

Treatment of Nature in Old English Poetry:

    Nature has always been a significant issue in the study of English poetry. The emotional responses of the poets have always been reflected in their poet's description of nature. The literature of old English period bears a testimony to the fact that Old English life was closely influenced by the natural phenomenon the hostility of the sea influenced the life of the Old English people. People struggled for their survival. Therefore, adoration of nature is reflected in the works of Old English literature.

What is the effect of the Norman Conquest on English Literature?

The Normans were originally a strong race of sea-rovers inhabiting Scandinavia. The Normans brought with them the culture and ideals of French civilization to England. They also brought new Language and literature which the English gradually absorbed. In fact, Saxon French combined together produced modern English. About three centuries after the Norman Conquest, English was not used for literary purpose. It seems the conquest destroyed English literature. Poetry suffered more than prose. However, a new literature seems to have been produced in England during the Middle English period.

Discuss the Form and Style of Middle English Period.

Form and Style of Middle English Period: 

One of the main features of this period is the development of metre which replaced Old English poetry. Different kinds of poems were written in Middle English Period for example-Laymond Brut wrote alliterative metre. King Horn, Havloc the Dane are some of the earliest romances where we find the competent use of metre.

Consider "Beowulf" as a Store House of Teutonic Culture.

Beowulf as a Store House of Teutonic Culture:

    Hrothgar was the king of Danes. He built a great hall named Heorot for feasting and distributing gifts. But a monster disturbed by the sound of the fasting attacked the hall and killed the men sleeping there for long twelve years such acts of killing continued. No one dared to resist the monster. Beowulf, the nephew of Hygelec who was the king of Geats decides to come to rescue the kingdom of Hrothgar. He was greatly welcomed by the people of Danes. He has come to fight with Grandel, the monster. As usual the man went to sleep leaving Beowulf and his people in the hall Grandel opened the door and killed Beowulf's men. Grandel caught hold of Beowulf and Beowulf showed his great physical strength fighting with the monster. Beowulf was able to tear off a hand of Grandel. The monster fled off to the sea cave and died. The victory of Beowulf was celebrated.

Write a Note on Old English Poetry.

Old English literature dates back to heroic age in the past when warriors were more heroic and kings were kings. The Christian heroism The Dream of Rood redirected the old Pagan heroism which can be seen in fragments of Germanic heroic poetry. The early pomes like Waldere, Finnsburh etc are dramatic fragments which are also shown in Beowulf these poems recall the time before the Angles came to Britain in 5th century. The minstrel poems like Widsith and Deor are also important. Widsith means far traveler who lists the name of tribes and their rulers. Deor is a scope who lost his position to console himself.

Trace the Beginning of the Historical Background of Old English Literature.

England is an island nation of the Northern coast of Europe. The cliffs at Dover were the first of Britain seen by early incomers and have become a familiar symbol of England. To quote Arnold-

"The cliffs of England stand

Glimmering and vast, out in the tranquil bay."

Give an account of old English Christian Poetry.

The Anglo-Saxon literature or old English Literature can be broadly divided into two groups-Pagan and Christian. The Anglo-Saxon settlers brought with them some poems which are of Pagan origin. Later on they were coloured by Christian doctrine and morality. Thus there was a blend of Pagan and Christian sentiment in them. Among the Pagan poems the most prominent is Beowulf. There were other poems like Widsith, The Fight of Finnibur, The Battle of Maldon. There were some elegies like The Wanderer, Deor, The Sea Farer, The Wife's Complained the Ruin etc. These poems came from Pagan tradition but some of them had Christian sentiment. They presented a bleak and somber world. As a result a sense of melancholia pervades all these poems.

THE RESTORATION AGE

The Restoration Age and Restoration Comedy of Manners

The Restoration comedy is also known as Comedy of Manners. These comedies expressed a reaction against Puritanism and the sexual repression it had attempted to enforce. Fashionable intrigues, sex, marriage and adultery were treated with cynicism, with worldly wit and a sense of the comedy of life. The characters in the plays no doubt owed much to the courtiers, the wits, and the men about town as well as to ladies of fashion, citizens, wives and country 

girls. ―Restoration Comedy, according to Moody and Lovett, ―is a genuine reflection of the temper, if not of the actual life, of the upper classes of the nation, and as such it has a sociological as well as a literary interest.

Development  of English Prose Upto Bacon’s Time

The English prose of Alfred’s days differs radically in its linguistic structure from the English of the 1.

4th century It has, therefore, little direct influence upon the development of the new literary prose. Alfred and his contemporaries had fashioned a prose which was wonderfully flexible. According to the nature of the subject treated it was either conversational and intimate in tone or sonorous and periodic in 

expression. The prose of the 14th century consists mostly of translation from Latin and French devotional writings and homilies. They aim more at the edification of the common people than at style. The writers had no conception of the function of the sentence This defect persisted as late as the

American Realism (1865-1890)

 American Realism

Realism is the literary term applied to compositions that aim at a faithful representation of reality, interpretations of the actualities of any aspect of life. As an reaction against romanticism it is free of subjective prejudice, idealism or romance and often deals with representing the middle class. Unlike naturalism, however, it does not focus on the scientific laws that control life, but the specific actions and their consequences.

Realists writers were influenced by British and Foreign writers, but to a great extent the transition from romance to realism was indigenous. The beginnings of realism started with the realistic and detailed