British Literature

Image 1:  British Isles terminology. Image. Britannica School, Encyclopædia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2020.

 


                Unit Overview

The second half of this course will be devoted to the study of British literature. The units will provide an overview of some excellent examples of poetry, drama, fiction, and nonfiction found in British literature. The literature will be from various historical periods:

·      Renaissance Era (1400s to 1660)

·      Regency Era (1795 to 1837)

·      Victorian Era (1837 to 1901)

·      Modernism Era (1901 to 1965)

 


        Literary Terms

Literary terms refer to the technique, style, and formatting used by writers and speakers to masterfully emphasize, embellish, or strengthen their compositions. Below is a list of literary terms that will be part of your reading passages.  Look over the terms then complete the “Let’s Practice.”

 

Let’s Practice

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


       British Literature:  Renaissance Period

Image 2:  Shakespeare, William. Image. Britannica School, Encyclopædia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2020.

The English Renaissance was a period of literary rediscovery in Britain from the late 1400s to 1660. It includes the Tudor, Elizabethan, and Edwardian eras of monarchs and saw the rise of Shakespeare.

Listen below to an overview during this period.

 

The Renaissance

 


        British Literature:  Regency Period

Image 3:  Austen, Jane. Image. Britannica School, Encyclopædia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2020.

England's Regency period (1795 to 1837) was defined by distinct British trends and achievements, rules of society and inheritance, and the rise of novels, such as those by Jane Austen.

Listen below to an overview during this period.

Romanticism (Regency Era)

 


        British Literature:  Victorian Period

The Victorian Era of British Literature lasted through Queen Victoria's reign, from 1837 to 1901, and focused on themes related to industrialization and progress in the 19th century. It was preceded by British Romanticism and followed by the Edwardian period.

Listen below to an overview during this period.

 

The Victorian Age

 


        British Literature:  Modernism Period

British Literature in the 20th century witnessed the Edwardian period, Modernism, and Postmodernism. The Edwardian period lasted from Queen Victoria's death in 1901 until World War I in 1914, a transitional period that pushed back at conservative values. Modernism emerged in response to the World Wars, a time of confusion and discovery. 

Listen below to an overview during this period.

 

The Modern Age

 


Let’s Practice