History of English Literature...

Introduction to English Literature
Literature is the reflection of life. It mirrors the society in which it is generated. The word literature comes from the Latin word ‘litaritura’ meaning “writing organized with letters”. We classify literature according to language, origin, historical period, genre, and subject matter.

Initially, literature was a form of entertainment for the people. Over time, it attained the purpose of reform as well. The writers stated highlighting the social issues in their writing. Thus, it became a medium to draw the audience’s attention to certain matters and urge them to think about the reform. From ancient civilizations to the modern era, indeed, all the works of literature have given us insight into the issues and trends prevailing at that time. Literature also provides escape from the ‘grim realities’ of life. While many people read to escape the boredom of their life. Moreover, the higher type of literature helps the reader to escape from trivial reality into significant reality

A Brief History of English Literature
The introduction and history of English literature go side by side. You can’t get the complete introduction of English literature without going deep down in its history.

The history of English literature initiated with the history of the English race and kept on developing with the social development of the nation. When we analyze the history of English literature, we discover that it consists of eight (8) major periods and several ages. Each period or age of English literature is named after the central literary figure, or the important rulers of England, or certain literary movements. Moreover each period or phase of English literature has its distinct characteristics.

The Anglo-Saxon or Old English Period (450–1066)
The Anglo-Norman or Middle English period (1066–1500)

The Renaissance Period (1500–1660)

The Neoclassical Period (1660–1798)
The Romantic Period (1798–1837)

The Victorian Period (1837–1901)

The Modern Period (1901-1945)

the Contemporary Period (1945–Today)

A Brief Overview & Timeline of British Literary Periods

Literary PeriodsMajor literary Trends, Movements and HighlightsAnglo-Saxon or Old English Period
(450–1066)Heroic Tradition: poetry focused on hero’s bravery
Elegiac Tradition: writers mourned the passing of earlier, better times.Anglo-Norman or Middle English Period
(1066–1500)Popular forms of Writing: Chronicles, Poetry, Drama, Religious and Didactic writing.Renaissance Period or Age of Shakespeare
(1500–1660)Trends: Revival of learning, Rediscovery of classical philosophy, literature and art, focus on ‘Humanism’ and ‘Puritanism’.
Major Forms of literature: poetry and drama. Neoclassical Period or the Enlightenment Age
(1660–1798)Trends: Revival of classical art and culture of ancient Greece and Rome, focus on order, accuracy, and structure. 
Poetic Trends: Use of allusions, heroic couplet and strict meter and rhyme. 
Chief Contribution: The Modern Novel.Romantic Period
(1798–1837)Trends: The Romantic Movement in Poetry, Gothicism in literature. 
Chief Contribution: Romantic Poetry and The Gothic Novel.Victorian Period
(1837–1901)Literary Trends & Movements: Symbolism, Utilitarianism, Oxford Movement, Romantic Protestantism. Age of Prose & Novel. 
Main Focus: individually, morality note, conflict between religion and science, human beings than nature.Contemporary Period
(1945-Today)Literary Trends: structuralism, deconstruction, poststructuralism, postmodernism, postcolonialism, and magic realism. 
Main Focus: horrors of war, genocide, life experiences, real-life themes, alienation, transformation, consumption & relativity of truth.