Literary legends: an odyssey of English literature, its history and the visionaries behind the written word A glimpse about history of literature, notable points and memorable writers throughout time

Malaz Dhirar

Literature is a mirror which reflects the society that created it. Its origins began with the tales people share with one another, a simple form of entertainment. Over time, it became capable of much beyond that. 

The growth of literature through the ages has been nothing short of massive. It has gone through several periods, each rife with achievements. This body of written works gradually grew to cover an enormous variety of types, becoming a rich, vast field which continues to touch hearts and minds to this very day. 

Chronicles of English literature 

English literature and history go hand-in-hand. The literature’s beginnings start with the history of the English, consequently, the written works back then reflect the time period. It is categorized by the periods of time of their creation. First came the old English period, with the anglo-saxons settlers bringing old english about. The literature had unique language and themes, like the epic of Beowulf. Then the middle English period after the Norman conquest. Contrary to the fierce tales of their predecessors, they introduced romance and adventure in literature. 

Following that was none other than the golden age of literature, the Renaissance age, where works focus on humanism and finding guidance from within. Drama truly shone then, spanning many renowned works still known today. The following was the Neoclassical period, its literature known for realism and accuracy while also focusing on an intellectual and critical approach to humanity. This is when the novel was developed. What came next was the advent of the romantic period, the age of poetry. Authors took inspiration from the time of the renaissance while proving that even with their works dealing with everyday topics, it could still be extraordinary. Following that was the Victorian period where literature used both classicism with its logical approach to life while also including the flowery language of the romantic age. Then began the modern period, where literature was directed by morals. It was an age of transitional exploration. Finally, the time of contemporary literature, this current era, with mass media causing waves. Many literary works explored unhappiness with realistic stories and themes like war, racism and family (1)(2)(3). 

Memorable figure and works in English literature

Despite the impressive amount of literary works in English, a certain number of authors stood out among their peers and made their unquestionable mark in history. A prominent example would be William Shakespeare, an author whose name has spread far and wide thanks to his talent and numerous works. Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet and Othello to name a few examples. Then there’s Charles Dickens, a prominent novelist and social critic with famous works like Oliver Twist and Great Expectations (4)(5). 

Another of the greats is none other than Jane Austen, who wrote books like Pride and Prejudice, some believe her to be the successor to Shakespeare. J.R.R Tolkien is another renowned name, his most famous work Lord of the Rings continuing to entertain fans around the world. Roald Dahl was another prominent figure in fantasy writing, known for his creativity, his unique settings helping inspire many as well. Not many writers actually have an app written after them but Ernest Hemingway, author of The Old Man and the sea, earned it. His writing is even used in teaching today (6)(7). 

Literature is a true mirror of humanity. The literary world has influenced the world for many millennia and is still going strong. Safe to say, its future is looking as strong as its past, if not more so.