ANNA KAREININA by Fyodor Dostosvky

 

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Literary Theory and Criticism Ugc Net English - Horace

 Literary Theory and Criticism 

UGC NET ENGLISH  

 Part I

Let's discuss Horace 

When Horace came………………………… (65- 8 B.C)

1-      A fresh beginning in literary criticism

2-      What Cicero had done in the sphere of rhetoric, same was done by Horace into the realms of poetry.

Cicero – He was a minor character in Julius Caesar

                Introduced the Romans Greek Philosophy and created Latin philosophical vocabulary.

 “Petrarch’s rediscovery of Cicero’s letters is often credited for initiating the 14^th century renaissance.” 

  His work ARS POETICA is equal to Aristotle’s poetics .

4-      The most influential of Roman critics.

5-      ARS POETICA MEANS- Treatise on the art of writing poetry.

6-      He was surrounded by the disciples like Florus, Pisos.

7-      He was well equipped with his education 1^st in Rome , IInd in Athens (45-44) BC.

 

 

ARS POETICA

• “ Even in Horace’s political works, we can see literary pronouncements, but for his main body of his critical theories – Epiistle to Pisos or the Ars Poetica ( or The Art of Poetry) )”.
• “ The title Ars Poetica means a treatise on the art of writing poetry”.
• “ This work lack in form , The fact is that it is not a regular treatise byt a verse letter to his friend , Pisos.
• “ Main aim of Horace as a critic is to guide his national literature along the lines laid down by Helllenic poets and critics.

 

THREE PARTS OF ARS POETICA

Here you can note down this for literary theory and criticism part for ugc net English 2022.

I – Poesis -  The discussion of the subject

II- Poema – or form

III- Poeta – or the poet – He gives advice to poet regarding art and function of poetry

 

Let’s discuss these in details to Understand it for ugc net English exam –

Part I – Poesis

·         A poem must have organic unity.

·         There must exist a harmonious relation between the parts and the whole.

·         The use and choice of words must be wise.

·         The poet is at liberty to coin new words and revive old ones.

 

Part II – Poema

• The plot should be based on old familiar stories novelty may be imparted by skillful treatment.

Part III- Poeta 

• The fountain source of good writing is sound judgment.
• A poet must also be a keen observer of men and manner. 
• He should constantly study the book of life and draw. 
• " language of true life " 
• Nobility and dignity of soul are necessary to write good poetry k, excessive greed and love for 
• money in the way of good writing . 
• A poet should instruct or please or two can be combined . 
• Avoid romantic extravagances and absurdities. 
• "Even good Homer Nods "- means minor mistakes in poetry may be forgiven . 
• Poetry has great power and appeal.

IMPOERTANT NOTES FOR UGC NET ENGLISH 2022- 

Purpureaus Pannus ( Purple Prose) - The term coined to criticize Horace for the use of flowery Language . 

Quintilian ( writer ) - He first mentioned Ars Poetica in his work Institutio Oratorio. 

Ars Poetica- This work exercised great influence in later ages on European literature notably French drama. 

ARS POETICA - Another name - Epistula ad Pisos or Epistle to the Pisos. 

If you want to download pdf of handwritten notes UGC NET ENGLISH 2022

here is the link - 

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Old English literature

 

 

From where should I start studying English Literature?

Do you know from where you can start studying English literature ?

I will help you to start your English literature journey.

When we say English literature, we talk about literature of some places and these places are

i-                    England

ii-                  Scotland

iii-                Wales

iv-                Crown dependencies   (some countries under Britain)

v-                  Ireland

vi-                United states

So , lets read these facts

1-      The language English we experience today  was not the same 1400 years ago .

It got developed gradually over time.

2-      Anglo Frisian dialect came to Britain with Anglo Saxon tribes ,and yes this is called Old English today.  Anglo Saxons were invaders .

3-      Read Beowulf to experience The Old English.

 

Beowulf is the national epic in England .

Beowolf is set in Scandinavia.

Know these things –

Beowulf is an Epic.

Produced between 975 and 1025

Hero of the work – Beowulf

Beowulf is from the place – Geats

There is a monster in the work – Grendel

We will discuss this work later now lets come back to development of language.

 

Now , something important happened. Which is the landmark in development of English.

Norman conquest in 1066.

What is Norman Conquest ?

Normans , Bretons and Flemish with other people from French provinces invaded modern day England .

Who was leading them ?

Duke of Normandy , now we know him as William the Conqueror.

So,

After Norman conquest Old English was no more language of Aristocracy . They used French  . Now you can see if  government helps a language to develop it develops quickly.

 

Fact - This time English is known as The Middle English.

 

Now,  tell me answers of these three questions .

What is Old English ?

What is Middle English ?

Why Norman Conquest is important to know for English literature student?

Why should we study Beowulf ?

 

You can write your answers in comment box.

 

Who are the early people who helped to develop English ?

Three names you should remember.

i-                    Geoffrey Chaucer

ii-                  Printing press by Getenberg .

iii-                Shakespeare  

First , Geoffrey Chaucer (1340- 1400) , he wrote The Canterbury Tales .

 Late Middle English , which was London based form became popular because of The Canterbury Tales.

That’s why this work is so important to study.

Let me tell you one more thing .

At the time of Chaucer, French and Latin were the dominant literary language.

Second , Press by Gutenberg helped to make the language standard.

This press printed King James Bible in 1611.

 

William Shakespeare (1564- 1616)

One of the greatest dramatist in English.

We will study him in details later.

 

Next , cause for development of English language is the development of British Empire .

Some facts we should know

By 1913 , British empire was the largest and ruled 23% of the world population.

And this the well know fact that rulers impose their own languages upon their conquered countries.

 

Hopefully now you understand how English is developed in early period.

In next blog we will talk about the literature written in The Old English.

 

Follow , Comment and share the blog for more .

 

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History of English Literature

 

• 30 minute reading challenge 
• You will learn
• Chronology
• All ages names
• Characteristics
• Representative writers
• Best works  
• first complete this , later you can read complete ages one by one. 
• all the best. 
• English Literature Chronology
• Chronology is the first thing you need to know , if you are starting your preparation of History of English literature. 
• here , we go
• Old English (Anglo-Saxon) Period (450–1066)
• This period is called as the Dark Ages
• Roman Britannia breaks into many kingdoms .
• Lots of religious conversion.
• What we know today as Britain , was captured by Celts. 
• Two groups came from southern Europe , and attacked Britain . ( that time it wasn't Britain).
• One of them was Brythons or Britons.
• Now , you get the idea, why its Britain Now. 
• Gaels went to Second largest island , it became later Ireland. 
• Celts were pagan ( means believe in many Gods) 
• Their priests were Druids.... 
• (They used to tell them we are directly in contact with Gods LOL )
• Roman occupation -
• Now , in the story ROMANS enter. 
• 1- They had great military power. 
• 2- They pushed Celts into Wales and Ireland.
• 3- They stopped Vikings too.
•  Roman's Religion - they followed Christianity. 
• 
  
• The Age of Chaucer (1340-1400)
• See, now we are starting English literature study and here we will be talking about the literature upto Chaucer's age. 
• But , keep in mind that we can date any age with perfect date. 
• Changing from one age to another age, is a gradual process. 
• But, for our convenience and for learning sake we do it . 
• hmmmm, 
• So , What is the date for Chaucer's Age?
• Answer is from 1340 to 1400 according to literary historians. 
• Next question can come to your mind 
• why we study Chaucer ? 
• We study Chaucer because he is the most important writer.
• but why is he the most important writer? 
  good question. 
• here are some possible answers
• He is the first writer who wrote in English significantly.
• His works help in development of English as a language. 
• in words of Spencer " Chaucer, well of English undefiled"
• it means according to Spencer "He wrote pure English" 
• 
  
•  Middle English Period (1066–1500)
• ( uncle Chaucer wrote His great work in this period ) 
• He wrote his magnum opus The Canterbury Tales 
• Its a collection of 24 tales ,written nearly in 17000 lines using Middle English
• All the stories written as the part of a contest, people going the shrine of Saint Thomas Becket from London.
• Again the same question 
• Why is The Canterbury Tales important to us?
• Ans - The Canterbury Tales gives a great pen picture of 14th century England. It means we don't need to time travel to 14th century to see people of that time . Just read the canterbury tales . Isn't it a great help ?
• We will discuss The Canterbury Tales in details . For now it's enough. 
• Some other characteristics of the age 
• 1-First significant age in English Literature.
• 2-An Era of transition. 
• 3- Growth of national sentiments
• 4-Black death
• 5-Peasant revolt (1381)
• 6-Th corruption of the church and reformation movement by John Wycliff. 
•  
• The Fifteen Century (1400-1516)
• From the death of Chaucer to the Renaissance . 
• Called long barren period - W.H.Hudson. 
• Why barren period? 
• Simply because people , didn't develop literature but there were some writers who tried their level best - 
• These four are called The English Chaucerians
• Thomas Occleve 
• John Lydgate
• Stephen Hawes 
• John Skelton 
• The Scottish Chaucerians
• 1-James I
• 2-Robert Henryson
• 3-William Dunbar
• 
  
•  

• The Renaissance (1500–1660)
• (Mr. Shakespeare is here )
• Renaissance means Intellectual Rebirth 
• Just remember this for now.
• What is birth place of renaissance ?
• Italy .
• Renaissance was the result of three impulses :
• 1- The inspiration derived from the revival of classical learning. 
• 2- The stirring of man's imagination by great voyages of discovery.
• 3- The spirit of religious reformation which began in Germany. 
• 
  
•  
• The Neoclassical Period (1600–1785)
• (They were trying to be smart as ancient Greek writers they were faking them) 
•  
• The Romantic Period (1785–1832)
• (Simple , rustic Wordsworth) 
• For pdf click the link-
• The Victorian Period (1832–1901)
•  
• The Edwardian Period (1901–1914)
•  
• The Georgian Period (1910–1936)
•  
• The Modern Period (1914–?)
•  
• The Postmodern Period (1945–?)
•  
•  

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