This is a guide to the main developments in the history of British and Irish literature, charting some of the main features of literary language development and highlighting key language topics.

This new guide covers seven hundred years of English literature. Stephen Coote describes the major figures and works of the period - Beowulf, King Alfred, Chaucer, Langland, Henryson, the Gawain-poet and Malory as well as lesser-known poets. Considerable attention is given to Chaucer and the extensive treatment of 'Troilus and Criseyde' demonstrates the range of concerns that can be brought to a medieval text. Chapters are devoted to alliterative poetry, popular romance, ballad and lyric, medieval drama and Middle English prose, set against a background of the European literary tradition and of medieval circumstances and ways of thought. The discussion of the development of the language from Old English to Middle English show how, through the genius of Chaucer, it took 'its plae beside the great literary vernaculars of Europe'. -- Book cover.

Andrew Lang's survey of English literature is a remarkably thorough look at the history of English writing, covering authors from Abbot Adamnan to Edward Young, and everyone of note in between.

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A defining volume of essays in which leading international scholars apply an interdisciplinary approach to the long and evolving relationship between English Literature and Theology.

Dive into the depths of English literature and emerge with a treasure trove of knowledge spanning centuries. "Introduction to Literature: Navigating the Periods of English Literature" is your compass through the ever-evolving narrative of English prose, poetry, and drama. Discover the seismic shifts of literary expression from the raw beauty of Anglo-Saxon epics to the intricate digital narratives of our modern world. Within these pages lies a journey that intertwines the past with the present, inviting readers to explore the richness of English literature across the ages. You will not only trace the footsteps of literary giants but also engage with the cultural and historical forces that shaped their worlds. Suitable for students, educators, and literary enthusiasts alike, this book offers a clear pathway through the complexities of literary periods. It presents a challenge: to see the world through the eyes of the literary past and understand its dialogue with the future. Step into this literary tapestry that invites curiosity, encourages reflection, and inspires a deeper appreciation for the words that have captured the human experience. "Introduction to Literature: Navigating the Periods of English Literature" awaits your discovery.