Anna
Appearances
Class with Mason
Gender Neutral History of English Literature
Welcome to Class with Mason podcasts. I'm Anna, and I'm here with Mason to discuss a gender-neutral history of English literature as study guide available on classwithmason.com.
Class with Mason
Gender Neutral History of English Literature
Moving on to the medieval age, which spans from 455 CE to 1485 CE, we see significant developments in English literature. This period is typically divided into two main eras, the Old English and Middle English periods.
Class with Mason
Gender Neutral History of English Literature
Absolutely, Mason. And as we move into the Middle English period, we see the emergence of Geoffrey Chaucer, often called the father of English literature. His masterpiece, The Canterbury Tales, is a collection of stories told by pilgrims on their way to Canterbury.
Class with Mason
Gender Neutral History of English Literature
It's going to be an exciting journey through time, Mason. And for our listeners, we should mention that these notes are available on our website class, withmason.com, for further study.
Class with Mason
Gender Neutral History of English Literature
And let's not forget Marjorie Kempe, who dictated what is often called the first autobiography in English. Her book provides a unique insight into medieval life and spirituality from a woman's perspective.
Class with Mason
Gender Neutral History of English Literature
moving on to the Renaissance and Reformation period, which spans from 1485 to 1660 CE. This era saw a remarkable revival of classical learning and a renewed interest in ancient Greek and Roman texts.
Class with Mason
Gender Neutral History of English Literature
And we can't forget Christopher Marlowe, Shakespeare's contemporary. His plays like Dr. Faustus and The Jew of Malta were groundbreaking for their time.
Class with Mason
Gender Neutral History of English Literature
And Amelia Lanier is another important female voice from this era. Her poem, Salva Deus Rex Juderum, is considered one of the first published works of original poetry by an Englishwoman.
Class with Mason
Gender Neutral History of English Literature
And we can't discuss this era without mentioning the Reformation, which brought about significant religious reforms and challenged the authority of the Catholic Church. This had a profound impact on literature and thought during this time. Moving on to the Enlightenment period, which spanned from 1660 to 1790, we see a significant shift in literary focus towards reason and logic.
Class with Mason
Gender Neutral History of English Literature
This era, also known as the Age of Reason, saw writers embracing rational thought and scientific inquiry in their works.
Class with Mason
Gender Neutral History of English Literature
Let's begin our journey through English literature with the Classical Age, spanning from 1200 BCE to 455 CE. This vast period encompasses several important eras that laid the foundation for Western literature.
Class with Mason
Gender Neutral History of English Literature
Certainly. Two prominent figures were John Dryden and Alexander Pope. Dryden, often called the father of literary criticism, was known for his satirical poetry and essays. Pope, on the other hand, was famous for his witty, philosophical poems like An Essay on Man and his translation of Homer's Iliad.
Class with Mason
Gender Neutral History of English Literature
Absolutely. Women writers made significant strides during the Enlightenment. Aphra Behn, for instance, was one of the first English women to earn a living through writing. She wrote plays, novels, and poetry, paving the way for future generations of women writers.
Class with Mason
Gender Neutral History of English Literature
Yes, indeed. Wollstonecraft was a pioneer of feminist philosophy. Her work, A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, argued for women's education and is considered a foundational text of modern feminism.
Class with Mason
Gender Neutral History of English Literature
Indeed, Mason. Let's start with the Homeric period. The key figure here is, of course, Homer, credited with composing the epic poems The Iliad and The Odyssey.
Class with Mason
Gender Neutral History of English Literature
Sappho's poetry is particularly noteworthy for its exploration of love and emotion, themes that would become central to literature for centuries to come.
Class with Mason
Gender Neutral History of English Literature
And finally, in the patristic period, we see the rise of Christian literature with figures like St. Augustine, whose works blended classical philosophy with religious thought.