Summary of English Literary Movements: A Comprehensive Chronological Guide | UGC NET English Preparation
Main Ideas and Concepts
-
Scottish Chivalry (15th Century)
- Inspired by Geoffrey Chaucer.
- Key figures: Robert Henryson, William Dunbar, Kevin Douglas.
- Focused on narrative poetry and courtly love.
-
University Wits (16th Century)
- Elizabethan dramatists revolutionizing English drama.
- Key figures: Christopher Marlowe, Thomas Kyd, Robert Greene.
- Their works laid the foundation for Shakespearean drama.
-
Spencerian Poets (16th Century)
- Inspired by Edmund Spenser's "The Faerie Queene".
- Focused on themes of chivalry and morality.
-
Sons of Ben (17th Century)
- Followers of Ben Jonson, focusing on lyrical poetry.
- Key figures: Robert Herrick, Richard Lovelace.
-
Cavalier Poets (17th Century)
- Wrote about themes of honor and loyalty during the English Civil War.
- Key figures: Robert Herrick, Richard Lovelace.
-
Metaphysical Poets (17th Century)
- Known for complex imagery and intellectual themes.
- Key figures: John Donne, George Herbert.
-
Amatory Fiction (Late 17th - Early 18th Century)
- Focused on romantic and erotic themes.
- Key figures: Eliza Haywood, Delarivier Manley.
-
Kit-Cat Club (Late 17th - Early 18th Century)
- Influential in periodical literature.
- Key figures: Joseph Addison, Richard Steele.
-
Scribblers Club (18th Century)
- Satirical writers critiquing society.
- Key figures: Jonathan Swift, Alexander Pope.
-
Augustans (18th Century)
- Emphasized order and classical ideals.
- Key figures: Alexander Pope, Jonathan Swift.
-
Romanticism (Late 18th - Early 19th Century)
- Emphasized emotion, nature, and individualism.
- Key figures: William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge.
-
Transcendentalism (Mid 19th Century)
- Focused on self-reliance and nature.
- Key figures: Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau.
-
Naturalism (Late 19th - Early 20th Century)
- Applied scientific principles to literature.
- Key figures: Émile Zola, Stephen Crane.
-
Modernism (Early 20th Century)
- Characterized by a break from tradition.
- Key figures: T.S. Eliot, Virginia Woolf.
-
Beat Poets (1950s-1960s)
- Embraced spontaneity and rebellion against norms.
- Key figures: Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac.
Methodology/Instructions
The video guides viewers through a chronological exploration of literary movements, providing a structured approach to understanding the evolution of English literature. Each movement is presented with its historical context, key figures, and thematic focus, allowing viewers to grasp the significance of each era.
Speakers/Sources Featured
- The primary speaker is an unnamed host of the YouTube channel.
- Key literary figures mentioned throughout the video include:
- Geoffrey Chaucer
- Robert Henryson
- William Dunbar
- Christopher Marlowe
- Edmund Spenser
- John Donne
- Alexander Pope
- William Wordsworth
- T.S. Eliot
- Allen Ginsberg
The video concludes by inviting viewers to engage with more literary explorations and encourages them to like, share, and subscribe for future content.
Notable Quotes
— 00:00 — « No notable quotes »
Category
Educational