English literature can be divided into several historical periods. A part of understanding a particular literary work is to know what occurred at that time in history and what people were reacting to (which also includes politics, economics, technology and art).
English literature can broadly be classified into the Anglo-Saxon period, the Medieval period, the Renaissance, the Reformation and Enlightenment, the Romantic period, the Victorian age and the Modern period which includes modernism and postmodernism. In addition to the above, we can go a step further with post-colonial literature which is the literature produced from countries that were a part of the British Empire which would include literature from India, South Africa, Australia and America.
Below you will find information regarding these classifications. This information is to serve as an overview and as an introduction to a far more in-depth study.
The Anglo-Saxon Period
The Medieval Period
The Renaissance
The Reformation and Enlightenment
The Romantic Period
The Victorian Age
The Modern Era
English literature can broadly be classified into the Anglo-Saxon period, the Medieval period, the Renaissance, the Reformation and Enlightenment, the Romantic period, the Victorian age and the Modern period which includes modernism and postmodernism. In addition to the above, we can go a step further with post-colonial literature which is the literature produced from countries that were a part of the British Empire which would include literature from India, South Africa, Australia and America.
Below you will find information regarding these classifications. This information is to serve as an overview and as an introduction to a far more in-depth study.
The Anglo-Saxon Period
The Medieval Period
The Renaissance
The Reformation and Enlightenment
The Romantic Period
The Victorian Age
The Modern Era