history of literature

CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

Background

A student is obliged to know what is meant by history. The term history of not only we encounter in the world of education or school alone, in everyday life we often hear the word history. History is an event that happened in the past and usually always be remembered by everyone who experienced the event.

            History is not just talking about the relics of a bygone era in the form of buildings or certain places. History can also be associated with language or literature, English literature and literary example of Indonesia. Literature is an imagination based on the experience of the author to produce a masterpiece. But the term is most often used to refer to the works of creative imagination, including works of poetry, drama, fiction, and non-fiction.

            Literature is essentially the creation, creation is not only - artificial eyes (in Luxemburg, 1989: 5). Working as a form of literary and creative works, basically is a medium that utilizes language to reveal about human life. Therefore, literature in general, contains about issues surrounding human life. Literature is born with a basic background of human existence urge to express himself (in Sarjidu, 2004: 2).        

On this occasion, the author would like to discuss about the history of English literature, that is how it started English literature, how the development or period-period, anyone any originator of English literature, to works that exist in each of these periods.

CHAPTER II

DISCUSSION

History of English Literature

The native people of the British Isles is a Celtic tribe. They are still fairly primitive and their language is a Celtic language completely different from English. 50 years post-AD, the Romans occupied Britain permanently and English used as a province of the Roman Empire. In 410 AD the Roman army withdrew forever.

Beginning this British society are the ones who are still classified as rural communities. They become a growing community that after the Germanic peoples began to enter the British Isles and start getting and spreading the culture and the Germanic languages until eventually the British islands Germanic master race which resulted in the Roman tribe who originally occupied the British Isles finally gave up and chose to resign away from the islands.

            Celtic people who used to get the protection of the Roman army was not able to defend themselves against the Germanic tribes began to invade the British Isles. This tribe is Jutes, Angles and Saxons who came from the area of ​​Germany. They are the ancestors of the English now. Their language is the language of the Anglo-Saxons and then developed into Middle English (± 1100-1500 AD) and finally modern English (± 1500-present).

The entry of Germanic peoples and occupied the British Isles began to cause some influence on the English island nation itself, including the spread of Christianity which began around the 6th century AD. At that time the British Isles nation began to believe their religion in their lives. After that, then the Germanic people began to build monasteries as places to learn science. Over time, the islanders English began to understand science and finally in the same period came the term literature emerged, which resulted in works of English literature began to be written, although initially only verbally.

The Developments of English Literature   

            The development of English literature occurs in several stages or periods. English literary works continue to evolve with the changing times or periods. Many literary works are born each period. Not only that, every period could give birth to authors of literary works that until now its name is often heard as well as the results of their work. For more details, the author would like to discuss the development of English literature at each period.

1.      Old English Period

This period is beginning to be an English literature. In this period, especially in the year 50 AD, who was English was still occupied by the Roman army, the ancestors of the English are Angles, Jutes, Saxon original English invaded nation and at the time of the original British could not fight against them, it's because the roman army has withdrawn forever. Ancient British literary divided into two groups, the first is literary brought by Germanic tribes of his native country in the continent of Europe and the old verbal. The second group is the literature that was created after the tribes that settled. The works of these two groups are stored until now in the form of writing thanks to the inclusion of Christianity. The monks who gather and write the results of the literary. Therefore, this group cannot be separated from the influence of Christianity, especially in the second group, the first still shows a strong pagan element. Greatest literary works of ancient English is "Beowulf". The work in the form of a poem consisting of 3000 lines and includes folklore in the form of heroism. A hero named Beowulf who beat giant creature occupants coastal marshes named Grendel who has made the country unsafe King Hrothgar.

Years later Beowulf killed by a dragon breathing fire for saving the country. Other poems is "The Battle of Maldon and The Battle of Brunan Burgh" which tells the patriotic experience in combat, either lose or win. "The Sea farer" is a monologue that tells the dangers in the ocean. "The Ruin" is a collection of poems that tell the collapse of a city that was once prosperous. "Deor" tells the story of a singer (Minstrel) that many years after the servile to his master and the old is replaced with the young, but he was not disappointed because that's life. "Deor" Anglo-Saxons is the rhyme of the most humane. Most, poetry Germanic people serious and somber tone. Sensitive to nature, a belief in the "Wyrd" / fate and protrusion in terms of manliness and loyalty.

In this period, especially in the year 50 AD, who was English was still occupied by the Roman army, the ancestors of the English are Angles, Jutes, Saxon original English invaded nation and at the time of the original British could not fight against them, it's because the roman army has withdrawn forever. The original English language was first of all to them that it is the Germany from Saxon to modern English language. And -in this era also began to recognize the poetry or English literatures previous although English people also have literary works. So there are two literary works that were born in this era, all of which it is combination of both tribes:

v  Literary works brought by the Germanic

v  English literary works belong to the original like “Beowulf”.

Actually at this age is very influential Anglo-Saxon as well besides the Roman nation that brings excellent civilization, where the Anglo-Saxon poems that talking about religion, call it Cadmon, was introduced to the English, the most successful in the progress of English literature is to start their prose new English existing wrote, But at that time their works were destroyed as a result many of the attacks carried out by the Scandinavian.

2.       Middle English Period

This period is the second period of English literature after the Old English period or we are familiar with the term Anglo-Saxon. At this time the language in the spotlight after a dispute with the French aristocracy of English that led to the war, thus the French must recognize the English win and in the end the French discuss disappear by itself but the impact is very influential on English grammar and this distinguishes ancient English language with the middle, because the middle of the English language much influenced by the French.

Literary works on the same day are religious theme promoted by scholars of religion but there is one person who carries a different theme that works Layamon histories that carries the legend of King Arthur along with English as knights, there are also "ballad" is the poems are spread through word of mouth, usually these poems no man's example, the story of Robin Hood. There is also a romance that comes to fill this age, again romance of King Arthur became the most famous in history for wearing beautiful language and favored by small children and many more on prose-prose born in this era.

At this time began to be born too Drama. Became the latest drama of this era, which was introduced by the theologians in the church, first they have to play in the church but over time the drama began to spread and spread that causes drama that originally the story of Christ or many taken from scripture. There are 2 kinds of drama at the time of "Miracles" are acting out the story of the saint's life and there is also the "mysteries" which takes the theme of the Bible.

3.      Transition Period

The development of English literature the third is the transition period. This era is born great writer Shakespeare and Chaucer therefore at this age is called a transition because a lot of displacement between the English medieval to modern English and changing. The core of this age is the number of results literary works are so beautiful but most inspiration comes from French writers because their works are widely accepted by the English poet but the biggest influence on Chaucer which falls widely recognized as a poet of all time in Scotland. The prose of that era made progress so that many birth reliable poets along with his works, the most influential prose at this age is, "morthe d'Arthur" written by Sir Thomas Malory that still tells the story of King Arthur and knights. Drama at this time has developed very well around the 15th century birth of new drama stream that carries the story about the merits of human nature or can be called also "Moralities", once contrasted with drama in the middle Ages, but my goal is to teach morals on mankind.

4.      Elizabeth Period

In this period we may know the "Renaissance" in English history, this age is called so because the English began to open their minds to the works of the people of Europe such as Italy and also from classical Greek philosophers thought, which is famous of them is teaching humanism born from the teachings of the Greek classics, automatic properties European eroded and replaced with the doctrines taught by the Greek philosopher more authority to science, which distinguishes renaissance is individualized, realistic, enterprising and others.

Queen Elizabeth was instrumental in this renaissance for help and support all people's attention even though at the beginning but Elizabeth still a great influence especially its peak towards the works of Shakespeare. Poetry at this time presents an Edmund Spenser who still rely on the writings of Chaucer as a guideline, which is famous for his work entitled "The fairy queen", may be the same in literature but his thinking is very different because Spenser uses imagination, long story as a guide but Chaucer is observed around. Prose in this era were little changed, because the works that made much use language like-like parable or fabricated, his "eupheus, the anatomy of wit" by john lily, there is also new is the "pastoral romance". Birth of literary criticism because at this age many people studying classical works giving rise to its own polemics of classic works.

Drama at this age is the most rapidly progressing very, the only difference is the absence of further properties of religion taught in the drama of human life, but the problem there are serious, some are cheerful and it makes the most difference. Including classic drama and drama Greek both have different characteristics that one has a characteristic "three entity" to classical drama, and drama are both already have a different plot and already has a different path as well.

The comedy is also progressing very, because the comedian has been influenced by classical for example roister Ralph is the first English comedian, maybe not a lot of bias mentioned about the works of English as most mentioned and dizziness for one-on-one.

The most important at this time is "William Shakespeare's" greatest poet of all time whose works are highly appreciated until now, if we read the works of Shakespeare we can suggest that there are four hearts with the same period of his soul.

1. Period beginning (1588-1596)

2. The period of rapid growth (1596-1602)

3. The period of gloom and depression (1602-1608)

4. The period of tranquility) from 1608 to 1613)

5.      Puritan Period

Puritan name was introduced in the mid 16th century, which was given to a group in the Church of England whose purpose is to clean forms of practice and religious ceremonies. Freedom in carrying out religious beliefs directly followed by political freedom. At this time, was born a writer who does not doubt his work, he was Milton. At this time, Milton produced three major work, i.e. Paradise Lost, paradise Regained, and Samson Agonists. Living in the reign of puritanical not happy. Certain people are going to enjoy the pleasures of life stress, the presence of self-denial, and the prohibition of their entertainments, but class society is not increased.

This period can be seen as the first literary phenomenon in the North American continent. The writings of American literature reflect the roots of religion in colonial America. The writings were produced, among others, notes Cotton Mather and John Winthrop in the form of diaries and poems of Anne Bradstreet. These writings are important sources for understanding the initial conditions of colonial America. The writings were written by an American slave; Phyllis Wheatley "Poems on Various Subjects" (1773) provide descriptions of the social conditions of that era from the perspective of non-European.

6.      Period of Restoration

Living under the Puritan government is not happy. Certain people are likely to enjoy the pleasures of life stress, the presence of self denial and ban their entertainments; but class society is not increased. The thing to remember is in this state because of the advent of prohibition is not entertainment. Puritan opposes its implementation, not because it gives pain to the ban but due to give pleasure to the audience.

After the restoration or return to rule by kings, in 1660 after 20 years ruled by parliament, tragedy of this period are generally made in the form of heroic plays. In this form the male is described as being brave and the women portrayed as something beautiful. Many shouts-strain and events that do not make sense. The drama of this period is written in the form of heroic couplet, an enhanced form of meter by John Dryden. One of the greatest works of Dryden is The Conquest of Granada (1670). In addition to using harsh language, this drama also contains some good lyrics.

7.      Victorian Era (Victorian Era)

Victorian era in the history of the United Kingdom is the period of the reign of Queen Victoria from June 20, 1837 until his death on 22 January 1901. This era was marked by a long period of peace, prosperity, glory Britain in the international arena, and national high confidence British citizens. Some experts argue that the political triumph of Britain during the Victorian era began after the passage of the Reform Act 1832. This era was preceded by and followed by the era of George Edward era. Half period of the Victorian era coincided with the era of the Belle Époque Europe and the United States Gilded Age.

In the field of culture, there is a transition from the era of George rationalism towards romanticism and mysticism relating to religion, social values, and art. In international relations, the Victorian era was marked by a long period of peace, which is known as the Pax Britannica, as well as economic prosperity, social, industrial, and British colonial heyday in the international arena. However, these things are disrupted by the outbreak of the Crimean War in 1854. At the end of the period, there was a Boer War in South Africa. At home, the more liberal government policies to shift toward political reform, reform of the industry, and the expansion of suffrage. Two important figures that appear in this era was the Prime Minister Edward Gladstone and Benjamin Disraeli, which indirectly contribute to changes in British history. Disraeli, who became the queen's favorite, belonging to the Tory faction, while his rival, Gladstone, is a liberal figure who is also believed by the Queen. He played a role in the law-making process in that era.

Novel experienced rapid development during the reign of Queen Victoria. In the reign of Queen Victoria British are in a state of peace and experiencing tremendous growth. Industrial Revolution in Britain resulted in the advancement of science that marked increase in intellectual activities. More conducive conditions in the UK making English novelists encouraged to work.

In this period Victoria great novelists such as Charles Dickens and William Thackeray many producing novel followed by the emergence of women writers such as Jane Eyre, Emily Bronte and George Eliot. Although novelist Charles Dickens and Thackeray William have equal ability, but there are striking differences between the two. If Charles Dickens came from a modest family and got a reasonable education the opposite Thackeray, he comes from a wealthy family and get a higher education, and even he had studied at Cambridge University. If the works of Dickens's many highlights social inequality in society as a result of the industrial revolution highlighted the problems Thackeray falsity or pretense, especially the upper classes.

8.      Romance Period

Romantic period begins with the first edition of "The Lyrical Ballads" (1798) by William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge where people and nature and experience emotions have an important role in writing. Romanticism can be seen as a reaction against the Enlightenment and political changes in Europe and America in the late 18th century, during this period the definition of literature began to flourish. Literature is seen as being imaginative. Imaginative word has a term which can be described the "imaginary" which means "not real or imaginary", but the word can also mean imaginative "visionary" (Eagleton, hlm.15).

American Transcendentalism influenced by Romanticism enthusiasm for nature. In this period is the key to understanding the philosophical nature. From this perspective, human beings should not be satisfied with the natural phenomena but must be able to understand more in order to get a view of the world as general. The writings produced in this period include: philosophical writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson, short stories Nathaniel Hawthorne and novel Henry David Thoreau "Walden" (1854).

9.      Postmodern Period

The development of literature in the period associated with the Nazi Postmodernism and the effects of nuclear damage in World War II era. This period is also the structure of the development of Modernism approach. Character literature at this time include: narrative technique with diverse perspectives, interwoven plot strands and experimental typography, for example: John Barth in writing "Lost in the Funhouse" (1968), Thomas Pynchon in "The Crying of Lot 49" ( 1966), John Fowles in "The French Lieutenat's Woman" (1969). In the 1980s, the works of Postmodernism are now seen exaggerating much influenced by marginalized groups, including women, gays, or ethnic minorities. The authors of these women include: Sylvia Plath with his work "The Bell Jar" (1963), Doris Lessing with his work "The Marriages between Zone Three, Four, and Five" (1980) and Margaret Atwood with his work "The Handmaid's Tale" (1985).

10.  Period of Eighteenth Century

Period of Eighteenth Century also known as the neoclassical era, golden or Augustan Age. At this time the classical theory of literature adapted to fit contemporary culture. Writers such as John Dryden, Alexander Pope, Joseph Addison and Jonathan Swift wrote translations, essays-theoretical essays and literary writings in various genres. This era influence on the distribution of texts, including the development of new and novel as a genre of newspapers and magazines introduction to literature such as The Tatler (1709-11) and The Spectator (1711-14).

Many of the writings of the literature in the 17th century and 18th century religious nature, this is because these writings were in the days of Puritan or Colonial. This period can be seen as the first literary phenomenon in the North American continent. The writings of American literature reflect the roots of religion in colonial America. The writings were produced, among others, notes Cotton Mather and John Winthrop in the form of diaries and poems of Anne Bradstreet. These writings are important sources for understanding the initial conditions of colonial America. The writings were written by an American slave, Phillis Wheatley "Poems on Various Subjects" (1773) provide descriptions of the social conditions of that era from the perspective of non-European.

11.  20th Century

Early modern literature is a movement dominated by Europeans in the early 20th century were marked by the rise of forms of traditional aesthetics. Represent a radical change in cultural sensitivity in the period of World War I, modernist literary world struggling with the new subject matter carried by the developed world and increasingly global.

Modern literature is a new style in the English literature that seeks out of phase romanticism and realism. In the days of the 20th, the development work for the works that are made with a variety of genres and themes typical told with a unique storytelling techniques, becoming one of the interesting material to be analyzed and studied more deeply.

In the 20th century this work for the sake of the work evolved over time, ranging from poetry, prose, and essays written by some famous writers of the era such as: Dame Edith Sitwell and Catherine Mansfield. In the 20th century these distinctive styles shown by several writers of the era, provide variety and style in Literature was itself. The writings in the 20th century it has a variety of themes, ranging from social life even things that are controversial Literature was also present in the realm of the era.

CHAPTER III

CONCLUSION

In English literature and the world, socio-political conditions, known to strongly influence the literary works in each period. The diversity of the workmanship of each writer create literary works in the next period is growing in accordance with the conditions of the times.

In addition, also showed literary periods put himself in the middle of the hegemony of society, especially in Indonesia. By studying literary periods, can be researched the development of literature and its influence in accordance with its time.

REFERENCES

Eagleton, T. (1996). Literary Theory. UK: Blackwell.

Klarer, M. (2004). An Introduction to Literary Studies. New York: Routledge.

Kosasih, E. (2008).ApresiasiSastra Indonesia, Jakarta: Nobel Edumedia.