Beowulf is the earliest extant heroic poem in any modern European language . The full story survives in the manuscript known as the Nowell Codex . Although the manuscript dates from the tenth century , the poem was probably composed in the eighth century and deals with sixth century events , before the migration ofContinue reading “Beowulf – the context and history behind the poem .”
Category Archives: English history
Anglo Saxons and the birth of English literature
The story of English literature begins with the Germanic tradition of the Anglo Saxon settlers . The Romans withdrew from Britain early in the fifth century because they were needed back home to defend the crumbling centre of the Roman Empire . Britain was considered a far flung outpost of little value or significance toContinue reading “Anglo Saxons and the birth of English literature”
Latin influence on the English language
A very important phase of Latin influence on English was opened up by conversion of England to Christianity . The period of influence may be said to start from 597 AD with the conversion of Kent and lasted throughout the old English period . The Christian monks were the only literate people in this timeContinue reading “Latin influence on the English language”
French words in English ( the Norman invasion)
The Norman conquest of 1066 had wide and far reaching consequences to England , some of which we still face to this day . Both the language and the literature had major changes done to them , French words came into contact with the English ones and the language was never the same anymore .Continue reading “French words in English ( the Norman invasion)”
Shakespeare’s arrival in the English sonnet scene
The history of the Sonnet form The Sonnet as a literary form developed through the thirteenth and the fourteenth century in Italy with the help of Sonneteers such as Giacomo da Lentini , Guittone d’Arezzo , Dante , Cavelcanti and most importantly Petrarch . It also grew popular in France before it was brought toContinue reading “Shakespeare’s arrival in the English sonnet scene”
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