English literature

The development of the English Language can be divided into three stages:
1) Old English (450-1150)
2) Middle English (1150-1500)
3) Modern English (1500-up to now)
1) Old English Literature
Literature of this period was influenced by pagan traditions, magic, problems of life at the time, as well as Christian ideas and moral values. The oldest literature monument of Anglo-Saxon period is an old Germanic legend about a strong hero, Beowulf (from the 8th century). Other types of literary documents were: annals, chronicles, and historical records of various battles. English of that time was influenced by Celtic language.

2) Middle English Literature
This period follows the Norman conquest of Britain after William the Conqueror´s victory in the Battle of Hastings in 1066. William established a strict feudal system holding people in subjection. The church also held a strong influence. The English language was transformed and a French element was added. Latin was also an influence.

In that period there were two main steams in literature: religious literature and secular literature. The main representative of religious literature is John Wycliff, a priest, who criticized the church because of its greed for property. He translated the Bible into English.

In secular literature of the 14th century the most significant writer was Geoffrey Chaucer, who is often called the Father of English poetry. His Canterbury Tales (written in 1387) are a series of 24 poems about a party of pilgrims who tell each other stories to pass time on their journey from London to Canterbury. The Canterbury Tales include stories from medieval life and provides a great variety of humour.

3) Modern English Literature
The Renaissance (1485-1603)
This period was marked by a revival of classical influence expressed in the flowering of arts and literature and by the beginnings of modern science. During this period significant literary works were created. Common forms of literature were: poetic drama, songs, lyrics, ballads and essays. This period was linked with the development of English drama and the best known dramatist was William Shakespeare.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616) was born in Stratford upon Avon. As a young man he moved to London and soon became a famous play writer and an owner of the theatre called the Globe. His works are appreciated for their sense of humour, drama and beautiful verses. He wrote 37 plays and a large number of poems and sonnets. His plays can be divided into four groups:
Tragedies: Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Othello, Macbeth, King Lear
Comedies: As You Like It, The Twelfth Night, A Midsummer Night´ s Dream, Much Ado About Nothing
Historical Plays: Richard III., Henry V., Julius Caesar, Antony and Cleopatra
Romances: The Tempest, Cymbeline, Pericles, The Winter´ s Tale

Shakespeare´ s work was translated into numerous languages and influenced many other writers, the best Czech translations are by E. A. Saudek, J. V. Sládek and Martin Hilský.

Humanic literature of this period was represented by Sir Thomas More (1478-1535) – an outstanding scientist, statesman, and philosopher, who worked on the court of  King Henry VIII. as the Lord Chancellor of England. In his book Utopia he showed his vision of an ideal state where the people lived in peace without any individual property.

In 18th century, together with the development of society and economy, journalism, novels and drama developed as well. Literature became popular among the middle class and first authors were from these circles. Jonathan Swift was a sharp critic. He was a dean in Dublin. He wrote satirical pamphlets on all of the unfair events in British society, but his most popular work is Gulliver´ s Travels. Daniel Defoe was a politican, traveler and journalist. His most famous work is Robinson Crusoe. Robinson, shipwrecked on an island, represents the qualities the middle class needed in capitalist competition to be successful. Henry Fielding was a journalist and lawyer. He wrote a realistic novel Tom Jones, History of a Foundling. There are many characters through which Fielding describes the life in the 18th century.

Characteristic features for Romanticism are: historical topics, love, country, nature, detail, description of weather…Typical representatives are George Gordon Byron, Percy Bysshe Shelley and John Keats. To this group Sir Walter Scott belonged. He is the founder of the historical novel. One of his most famous books is Ivanhoe – an old legend.

The Victorian era produced great novels criticizing the various evils of prosperous, but imperialistic society. The best author of this era is Emily Bronte (Wuthering Heights) and Charotte Bronte (Jane Eyre). Charles Dickens described the life of poor people. He combined comic and serious situations. He wrote Little Dorit, The Pickwick Papers and Oliver Twist.

Thomas Hardy together with D. H. Lawrence represents the naturalistic trend in literature from the first half of 20th century. They described the hard life of ordinary people. Oscar Wilde is the most famous author of this era. He wrote for example Picture of Dorian Gray. Rudyard Kypling wrote stories about India and The Jungle Book. John Galsworthy was a critical novelist. He described the decay of the Victorian upper middle class in the Forsyte saga.

James Joyce together with Marcel Proust and Franz Kafka mark the turning point in the modern novel. Joyce, born in Dublin, wrote the experimental Dubliners. The most famous author of this era is G. B. Shaw. He attacked the entire society. In his plays he critized society´ s false morals.

In the second half of the 20th century there emerged a group of writers, who hated the social systém. They were called Angry Young Men. To this group belong Kinglsley Amis and his novel Lucky Jim and John Braine with Room at the Top. The experimental writing is represented by William Golding and his Lord of Flies and George Orwell with Animal Farm.