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History of English Literature by Legouis and Cazamian

History of English Literature is a comprehensive and authoritative book that covers the development of English literature from the Anglo-Saxon period to the present day. It was first published in French by Emile Legouis and Louis Cazamian in 1929, and later translated into English by W.D. MacInnes and Louis Cazamian. It is widely regarded as one of the most reliable and comprehensive sources of information on English literature, especially for students and scholars.

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In this article, we will provide an overview of the book and its main contents, focusing on the different periods and movements that shaped English literature. We will also highlight some of the most influential authors and works that are discussed in the book. We hope that this article will help you gain a better understanding of the history and diversity of English literature.

The Middle Ages and the Renascence (650-1660)

The first part of the book covers the period from the arrival of Christianity in Britain to the end of the Renaissance and the Reformation. This period saw the emergence of various literary forms and genres, such as epic poetry, romance, allegory, drama, satire, lyric poetry, prose fiction, and essay. It also witnessed the transition from oral to written culture, from Latin to vernacular languages, from feudalism to humanism, and from medieval to modern worldviews.

The Anglo-Saxon Period (650-1066)

The Anglo-Saxon period is also known as the Old English period, as it is characterized by the use of Old English as the main language of literature. Old English was a Germanic language that was brought to Britain by the Anglo-Saxon invaders in the fifth century. It was influenced by Latin, Celtic, Norse, and French languages over time.

The most important literary genre of this period was the epic poem, which narrated the heroic deeds and adventures of legendary or historical figures. The most famous example of this genre is Beowulf, an anonymous poem that tells the story of a hero who fights against a monster, a dragon, and other enemies. Beowulf is considered as the oldest surviving work of English literature, and as a masterpiece of Old English poetry.

Other notable works of this period include Caedmon's Hymn, the first recorded poem in English; The Dream of the Rood, a religious poem that depicts the crucifixion from the perspective of the cross; The Battle of Maldon, a historical poem that celebrates the bravery of the Anglo-Saxon warriors against the Viking invaders; and The Wanderer and The Seafarer, two elegiac poems that express the sorrow and loneliness of exile.

The Norman-French Period (1066-1350)

The Norman-French period is also known as the Middle English period, as it is characterized by the use of Middle English as the main language of literature. Middle English was a hybrid language that resulted from the fusion of Old English and Old French, after the Norman Conquest of 1066. It was influenced by Latin, Norse, Celtic, and other languages over time.

The most important literary genre of this period was the romance, which narrated the love and adventure stories of knights and ladies, often involving elements of magic, fantasy, and chivalry. The most famous example of this genre is Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, an anonymous poem that tells the story of a knight who accepts a challenge from a mysterious green knight, and undergoes a series of tests of his courage, loyalty, and honesty. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is considered as one of the finest works of Middle English poetry, and as a masterpiece of medieval romance.

Other notable works of this period include The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer, a collection of stories told by a group of pilgrims on their way to Canterbury; Piers Plowman by William Langland, an allegorical poem that depicts the quest for truth and salvation in a corrupt society; Sir Orfeo by an unknown author, a retelling of the classical myth of Orpheus and Eurydice in a medieval setting; and The Book of Margery Kempe by Margery Kempe, one of the earliest autobiographies in English.

The Age of Chaucer (1350-1400)

The Age of Chaucer is also known as the Late Middle English period, as it is characterized by the use of Late Middle English as the main language of literature. Late Middle English was a more standardized and refined version of Middle English, influenced by Latin, French, Italian, and other languages.

The most important literary figure of this period was Geoffrey Chaucer, who is widely regarded as the father of English literature. He was a poet, translator, diplomat, courtier, and civil servant. He wrote in various genres and forms, such as lyric poetry, allegory, satire, romance, fabliau, fable, dream vision, and frame narrative. He was influenced by classical authors such as Virgil and Ovid, French authors such as Guillaume de Lorris and Jean de Meun, Italian authors such as Dante and Boccaccio, and English authors such as John Gower and John Wycliffe.

The most famous work of Chaucer is The Canterbury Tales, which is considered as his masterpiece and one of the greatest works of English literature. It is a collection of stories told by a group of pilgrims on their way to Canterbury to visit the shrine of Thomas Becket. The stories range from humorous to tragic, from realistic to fantastic, from religious to secular. They reflect the diversity and complexity of medieval society and human nature. They also showcase Chaucer's mastery of language, style, characterization, structure, and theme.

The Fifteenth Century (1400-1500)

The fifteenth century is also known as the Early Modern English period, as it is characterized by the use of Early Modern English as the main language of literature. Early Modern English was a transitional language that resulted from the Great Vowel Shift, a phonetic change that affected the pronunciation of vowels in English. It was influenced by Latin, Greek, French, Italian, Spanish, and other languages.

The most important literary genre of this period was the drama, which emerged as a popular form of entertainment and education for the masses. The drama was influenced by classical models such as Seneca and Plautus, medieval traditions such as mystery plays and morality plays, and contemporary events such as the Wars of the Roses and the Reformation. The most famous example of this genre is Everyman, an anonymous morality play that depicts the journey of a man who is summoned by Death to face his final judgment. Everyman is considered as one of the finest works of medieval drama, and as a precursor of Renaissance drama.

Other notable works of this period include The Paston Letters by various members of the Paston family, a collection of letters that provide a glimpse into the life and politics of the fifteenth century; Le Morte d'Arthur by Sir Thomas Malory, a compilation of stories about King Arthur and his knights; The Book of Common Prayer by Thomas Cranmer, a liturgical book that standardized the worship and doctrine of the Anglican Church; and Utopia by Sir Thomas More, a political satire that describes an ideal society on a fictional island.

The Renaissance and the Reformation (1500-1660)

The Renaissance and the Reformation are two interrelated movements that marked the transition from the medieval to the modern world. The Renaissance was a cultural movement that revived the interest in classical learning and art, and fostered humanism, individualism, and secularism. The Reformation was a religious movement that challenged the authority and doctrine of the Catholic Church, and led to the emergence of Protestantism. Both movements had a profound impact on English literature, as they stimulated new ideas, forms, genres, themes, and styles.

The most important literary genre of this period was the sonnet, which was a fourteen-line poem that expressed love, beauty, friendship, or devotion. The sonnet was introduced to England by Sir Thomas Wyatt and Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, who adapted it from Italian models such as Petrarch and Dante. The most famous examples of this genre are Shakespeare's Sonnets by William Shakespeare, a collection of 154 sonnets that explore various aspects of love and human nature; Astrophil and Stella by Sir Philip Sidney, a sequence of 108 sonnets that narrate the love story of a poet and his beloved; and Amoretti and Epithalamion by Edmund Spenser, a sequence of 89 sonnets and a wedding song that celebrate the courtship and marriage of the poet and his wife.

Hamlet by William Shakespeare

Hamlet is a tragedy that tells the story of a prince who seeks revenge for his father's murder by his uncle, who has usurped the throne and married his mother. Hamlet is considered as one of the greatest works of English literature, and as a masterpiece of Shakespeare's genius. It explores themes such as madness, mortality, corruption, deception, loyalty, and fate. It also showcases Shakespeare's mastery of language, character, plot, and theme.

The Classical Age (1660-1780)

The Classical Age is also known as the Augustan Age or the Neoclassical Age, as it is characterized by the imitation and adaptation of classical models such as Horace, Virgil, and Cicero. It was influenced by the Restoration of the monarchy in 1660, the Enlightenment movement, and the rise of journalism and criticism. It was marked by a preference for order, reason, clarity, balance, and decorum in literature.

The most important literary genre of this period was the satire, which was a form of writing that used humor, irony, exaggeration, and ridicule to expose and criticize the follies and vices of society. The most famous example of this genre is Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift, a novel that narrates the adventures of a traveler who visits various imaginary lands and encounters different races and cultures. Gulliver's Travels is considered as one of the finest works of English literature, and as a masterpiece of satire.

A Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift

A Modest Proposal is a satirical essay that proposes a shocking solution to the problem of poverty and overpopulation in Ireland: eating the children of the poor. A Modest Proposal is considered as one of the most brilliant and provocative works of English literature, and as a masterpiece of satire.

The Romantic Movement (1780-1832)

The Romantic Movement was a cultural movement that rejected the rationalism and formalism of the classical age, and embraced the imagination, emotion, nature, and individualism in literature. It was influenced by the French Revolution, the Industrial Revolution, and the rise of nationalism and democracy. It was marked by a preference for originality, spontaneity, lyricism, and experimentation in literature.

The most important literary genre of this period was the lyric poetry, which was a form of poetry that expressed the personal feelings and thoughts of the poet. The most famous examples of this genre are Lyrical Ballads by William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge, a collection of poems that inaugurated the romantic movement in English poetry; Ode to a Nightingale and Ode on a Grecian Urn by John Keats, two poems that celebrate the beauty and transience of life; and Don Juan by Lord Byron, a long poem that narrates the adventures and misfortunes of a legendary lover. Lyrical Ballads, Ode to a Nightingale, Ode on a Grecian Urn, and Don Juan are considered as some of the finest works of English literature, and as masterpieces of lyric poetry.

The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge

The Rime of the Ancient Mariner is a long poem that tells the story of a sailor who kills an albatross and brings a curse upon himself and his shipmates. The Rime of the Ancient Mariner is considered as one of the finest works of English literature, and as a masterpiece of romantic poetry. It explores themes such as sin, guilt, redemption, nature, and supernatural.

The Victorian Age (1832-1901)

The Victorian Age was a period of social, political, economic, and cultural change in Britain. It was influenced by the Industrial Revolution, the expansion of the British Empire, the rise of science and technology, and the emergence of social problems and reforms. It was marked by a diversity and complexity of literary forms, genres, themes, and styles.

David Copperfield by Charles Dickens

David Copperfield is a novel that narrates the life and adventures of a young man who faces various hardships and challenges in his quest for happiness and success. David Copperfield is considered as one of the finest works of English literature, and as a masterpiece of Victorian fiction. It explores themes such as childhood, family, friendship, education, social class, and identity. It also showcases Dickens's mastery of language, humor, characterization, plot, and theme.

The Twentieth Century and Beyond (1901-present)

The twentieth century and beyond is a period of unprecedented change and diversity in the world and in literature. It was influenced by two world wars, the rise and fall of communism, the globalization of culture and economy, the development of mass media and digital technology, and the emergence of new movements and genres. It was marked by a variety of literary forms, genres, themes, and styles.

The Waste Land by T.S. Eliot

The Waste Land is a long poem that depicts the disillusionment and fragmentation of modern society and culture. The Waste Land is considered as one of the finest works of English literature, and as a masterpiece of modernist poetry. It explores themes such as alienation, decay, memory, and religion. It also showcases Eliot's mastery of language, imagery, allusion, and structure.

Conclusion

In conclusion, History of English Literature by Legouis and Cazamian is a comprehensive and authoritative book that covers the development of English literature from the Anglo-Saxon period to the present day. It provides a detailed and critical analysis of the various literary forms, genres, movements, authors, and works that shaped English literature. It also reflects the historical and cultural contexts that influenced English literature. It is a valuable source of information and insight for anyone who is interested in English literature.

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about History of English Literature by Legouis and Cazamian:

• Q: Where can I find History of English Literature by Legouis and Cazamian?

• A: You can find History of English Literature by Legouis and Cazamian online at Archive.org or at your local library.

• Q: How long is History of English Literature by Legouis and Cazamian?

• A: History of English Literature by Legouis and Cazamian is about 1500 pages long.

• Q: Who are Emile Legouis and Louis Cazamian?

• A: Emile Legouis and Louis Cazamian were two French scholars and professors of English literature. They wrote History of English Literature in French in 1929, and it was later translated into English by W.D. MacInnes and Louis Cazamian.

• Q: What are some other books similar to History of English Literature by Legouis and Cazamian?

• A: Some other books similar to History of English Literature by Legouis and Cazamian are A Short History of English Literature by Harry Blamires, The Oxford Companion to English Literature by Margaret Drabble, and The Cambridge History of English Literature by various authors.

• Q: What are some benefits of reading History of English Literature by Legouis and Cazamian?

• A: Some benefits of reading History of English Literature by Legouis and Cazamian are that you will gain a better understanding of the history and diversity of English literature, you will improve your critical thinking and analytical skills, you will enhance your vocabulary and writing skills, and you will enjoy the beauty and richness of English literature.

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