In this podcast we discuss the gender neutral history of English literature. Notes available here: https://www.classwithmason.com/2023/05/a-gender-neutral-history-of-english.html
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.
Today we'll be covering major periods of English literature and highlighting contributions from both men and women writers throughout history.
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.
Absolutely, Anna. Let's dive into our literary adventure, shall we?
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.
That's right, Anna. We'll be covering the Homeric, Greek, Roman, and Patristic periods. Each of these contributed significantly to the literary traditions we see in later English works.
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.
Absolutely. These works introduce themes of heroism and adventure that would resonate throughout literary history. Moving on to the Greek period, we see the emergence of lyric poetry with figures like Sappho.
Sappho's poetry is particularly noteworthy for its exploration of love and emotion, themes that would become central to literature for centuries to come.
In the Roman period, we have Virgil, whose epic poem The Aeneid continued the heroic tradition while also exploring themes of duty and destiny.
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.
Throughout the classical age, we see the development of themes that would become fundamental to English literature, heroism, love, and religious contemplation.
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.
That's right, Anna. The Old English period gave us one of the most important works in early English literature, the epic poem Beowulf. It's a fascinating tale of heroism and monsters, written in Old English, which is quite different from the English we speak today.
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.
It's worth noting that women writers also made significant contributions during this time. Julian of Norwich, for example, was a medieval mystic who wrote Revelations of Divine Love, considered to be the first book in English known to have been written by a woman.
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.
These women's contributions highlight the fact that even in medieval times, literature wasn't exclusively a male domain. Their works offer valuable perspectives on religion, society, and the human experience during this period.
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.
Absolutely. The Renaissance was a time of great cultural and intellectual awakening. Let's start with some of the major male figures of this period. William Shakespeare, of course, stands out as perhaps the most influential writer of all time. His plays and sonnets continue to captivate audiences today.
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.
Absolutely. But it's important to note that women were also making significant contributions to literature during this period. Mary Sidney, for instance, was a prolific translator and poet. Her translation of the Psalms was widely read and admired.
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.
That's right. The Renaissance was characterized by key themes, like humanism, which emphasized the value and potential of human beings. This was a shift from the more religious focus of the medieval period.
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.
This era, also known as the Age of Reason, saw writers embracing rational thought and scientific inquiry in their works.
Absolutely. And it's fascinating to see how this influenced the literary landscape. Can you tell us about some of the key male writers from this period?
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.
That's interesting. What about female writers from this period? Were there any notable contributions from women?
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.
And wasn't Mary Wollstonecraft also active during this time?
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.
It sounds like the Enlightenment was a period of significant literary development. Didn't we also see the rise of the novel as a genre during this time?