History of English Literature From Beowulf to Swinburne

The history of English literature spans from the epic Beowulf (circa 8th century), a cornerstone of Old English literature, through the Middle English period with works like Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales (14th century). The Renaissance brought flourishing works like Shakespeare’s plays and the poetry of John Milton. The Restoration and 18th century saw the rise of satire and essays, with figures like Jonathan Swift and Samuel Johnson. The Romantic era (late 18th-early 19th centuries) featured poets like Wordsworth and Byron. Victorian writers, including Charles Dickens, dominated the 19th century, leading to the works of Swinburne and the modernist movements.