English Literature

THE ROMANTIC REVIVAL The Revolt against the Classical School In the 18th century, English poetry followed fixed rules. Poets like Dryden and Pope made this style famous. They showed how to write poetry in a perfect way. But the poets who came after them only copied their style without using new ideas. This made poetry boring and lifeless. Pope himself joked that such poetry could make readers fall asleep. The need for a new style of poetry became clear. James Thomson started this change with his poem The Seasons in 1726. Later, in The Castle of Indolence, he used Spenser's old poetic style after nearly 200 years. Collins and Gray continued this new movement in their poems. Goldsmith and Burns wrote about the simple life of common people with humour and reality. Poets like Cowper, Crabbe, and Blake showed that the old style was dying and a new style was about to be born. The final break happened in 1798 when Wordsworth and Coleridge published Lyrical Ballads. This book became a turn...

2. The Classical Movement The time when this movement became popular is known by three names: The Classical Age: Because it followed high standards. The Augustan Age: It was like the time of Emperor Augustus, whose rule brought great literature. Dr. Johnson said Dryden improved English literature just like Augustus improved Rome. The Age of Reason and Good Sense: It focused on reason and clear thinking, based on Boileau's ideas in 1673. Factors Responsible for the Changed Outlook Around the middle of the 17th century, English poetry changed. The Metaphysical style had become confusing and less popular. Ben Jonson had warned about this and suggested a return to classical rules. Jonson preferred order and discipline over wild imagination. His ideas were ignored at first but became popular later. King Charles II stayed in France before becoming king. He brought French literary tastes to England, which were based on classical literature. This new style influenced all types of writing. ...

THE METAPHYSICAL SCHOOL OF POETS The Term Metaphysical The word "Metaphysical" was first used by Dr. Johnson, who took it from Dryden. Dryden had said about Donne, "He affects the metaphysics." It means these poets tried to express deep thoughts beyond the ordinary meaning of subjects. Originally, the word was used in a negative way, implying that these poets were unnatural and strange in their style. Dr. Johnson gave a famous description of the Metaphysical poets, though he was mostly critical of them. The Metaphysical Poets John Donne started the Metaphysical style in the early 17th century. Dryden criticized Donne for using philosophy in love poems. Dr. Johnson admired Donne but found his work difficult to understand. Donne influenced many poets like George Herbert, Richard Crashaw, Henry Vaughan, Abraham Cowley, Sir John Suckling, and John Cleveland. Among them, Dr. Johnson considered Cowley the best. However, Dryden and Pope thought Cowley was not a good writer...

THE SATIRE Wide Range Satire can be in poetry or prose. It has no fixed form. A verse satire can be an ode, elegy, or . A novel can be more satire than a story. Some stories remain famous even when people forget their satire. Don Quixote and Gulliver’s Travels are good examples. Some plays mock the foolishness of their time. Even when the world changes, these plays stay funny. People enjoy them for their humor, even if they do not know what they originally mocked. Origin and Meaning Satire comes from ancient times. Greek playwright Aristophanes was a master of it. In Latin literature, Horace, Persius, and Juvenal were famous satirists. Writers all over Europe copied them during the Renaissance. The word "satire" means "unpolished verse." It makes fun of foolishness or bad behavior. It is light and humorous but can also be sharp. Dryden said, "The true purpose of satire is to correct vices." Some famous English verse satires are: Dryden’s Absalom and Achito...

6. THE EPIC The Epic Defined An Epic is a long poem that tells the story of great heroes. These heroes perform brave and noble deeds. The most famous examples in European literature are Iliad and Odyssey by Homer. These stories were passed down by word of mouth before Homer wrote them. Some parts of the Iliad are based on real history, like the Siege of Troy. However, the events and heroes are often exaggerated. The gods play an important role in every classical Epic. The language of an Epic is grand and noble. It does not sound like everyday speech. Conventions of the Epic (a) The theme of the Epic is stated in the first few lines, accompanied by a prayer to the Muse. Every Epic begins by stating its theme in the first few lines. This is called the "proposition." After this, the poet prays to a Muse for inspiration. This prayer is called the "invocation." Example from Milton’s Paradise Lost: Of Man's first disobedience, and the fruit Of that forbidden tree, wh...

5. THE IDYLL Distinguishing Features An Idyll is a short poem.  The poem  paints a vivid picture, often of rural life. It does not have a fixed form; poets can choose any structure they like. The term comes from a Greek word meaning "a little picture," highlighting its focus on brief and descriptive imagery. The goal is to create clear visual scenes with words, sometimes illustrating abstract ideas through concrete images. For example, Milton's L'Allegro portrays a joyful life through a series of vivid scenes, while Wordsworth's "Lines Written in March" captures the essence of spring in England. Shakespeare's As You Like It includes pastoral scenes that depict country life. Tennyson and Browning also wrote works titled English Idylls and Dramatic Idylls, respectively. Style and Treatment An Idyll goes beyond simple description; it reflects the poet's personal view and imagination. It's not just about stating facts but adding poetic color to m...