English Literature

1. English Literature
Reporter: Tañala
Lucido
Pabalan
Benedicto

2. Background
The name, England, and the term
"English" were coined from the Old English
word for Angles, one of the Germanic
peoples who invaded British Isles in the
fifth century C.E. On the other hand,
"Britain" or "British" derive from a Roman
term for the language of the mentioned isle
called "Brythonic" or p-Celtic.

3. England is part of the main island of the British Isles
and lies off the northwestern coast of Europe. It is
divided into highland and lowland zone. Its capital is
London. During the 16th century, the primary language
was some version of English. Different languages
emerged in England due to several invaders that came
into the land. According to Atterall (n.d.), the Celts made
Gaelic the dominant language until the Romans invaded
in 55 and 54 B.C.E., and introduced Latin and Greek,
but it was the invasion of England by Germanic tribes in
the fifth century (Angles, Saxons, and Jutes) that laid the
basis for English.

4. Literature
English literature is a body of written
works written in the English language
written by the people of the British Isles in
the 7th century. Written works outside
British Isles using the same language are
treated separately under American
literature, Australian literature, Canadian
literature, and New Zealand literature.

5. During the Middle Ages, the Old English literature of
the dominated Saxons were improved by the Latin
and Anglo-Norman writings wherein the churchmen
and the Norman conquerors expressed themselves.
Through this, Geoffrey Chaucer exploited a flexible
and subtle instrument which exemplary applied by
William Shakespeare. In the mid-1980s, the
approach structuralism imparted to study the English
literature itself. Due to Britain's past imperial activities
around the globe continued to inspire literature, not
only in the English- speaking countries but also to
others that chose English as the second language.

6. Different genres constituted from travel
writings likes autobiography, biography,
and historical writings. Minor genres like
children's literature, fantasy, essays and
journals wherein they added to the
achievement and success of English
literature.

7. Prominent Authors of
English Literature

8. William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare is the English
poet, dramatist, and actor often
called the English national poet and
considered by many to be the
greatest dramatist of all time.
(Spencer et. al, 2020)

9. Jane Austen
Jane Austen was a pioneer of
English literature due to her brand-
new writing style, with quick and
catchy dialogues that transport the
readers straight into the characters'
minds. (Signoriello, 2017)

10. Oscar Wilde
Oscar Wilde is an Irish wit, poet, and dramatist
whose reputation rests on his only novel, The
Picture of Dorian Gray (1891), and on his
comic masterpieces Lady Windermere's Fan
(1892) and The Importance of Being Earnest
(1895). He was a spokesman for the late 19th-
century Aesthetic movement in England, which
advocated art for art's sake, and he was the
object of celebrated civil and criminal suits
involving homosexuality and ending in his
imprisonment (1895-97). (Beckson, 2020)

11. Literary Piece"Beowulf " Characters
Beowulf - hero of the Geats
Hrothgar - king of the Danes
Unferth - warrior of Hrothgar; he at first
criticizes Beowulf, but later asks
forgiveness and offers a magical sword
(named Hrunting) as a gift.
Heorot- the hall of Hrothgar; where his men
gather and celebrate, becomes a hall of
death.
Grendel- horrible monster terrorizing
Hrothgar
Grendel's mother - her name is never given,
but she avenges Grendel's death and then
is slain by Beowulf in her lair.
Wiglaf - Beowulf's companion in battle