European Literature Study Guides Summary

Lesson 1: Ancient Literature and Medieval Literature (800 BC–1500 AD)

Literature during the Ancient Period (800 BC-500 AD)

This period is created on (800 BC–500 AD). This serves as the main basis of Western Literature
that we all know nowadays. Wherein the intellectual and philosophical ideas of Greeks and Romans are
the foundation of European Literature. In other words, it is influenced by Greco-Roman culture.

The Major Greek writers are Aesop, Plato, Socrates, Aristotle, and Sophocles. Whereas, Horace,
Virgil, and Ovid are some of the major Roman writers of this period.

The Greeks introduced major kinds of like tragedy, comedy, epic, history, biography, prose
narrative, lyric and satire. The earliest forms of these were oral in nature which in time the Romans also
adopted.

One of the most well-known oral epics is The Iliad and The Odyssey by Homer.

 Iliad - narrates the Trojan War who recounts the journey of the Odysseus at the end
of the war.
 Odyssey - is a sequel to the Iliad, it depicts the values and imagination of Western
humanity and were also used by the Greeks as models of conduct.

Literature during the Medieval Period (500-1500 AD)

This involves the literary works produced during the Middle Ages (500 AD–1500) wherein it is
characterized on the three dominant cultures arousing before; Christianity, Islam, and the Germanic
invaders.

Dominant forms of literature

1. Hymns
2. Epic poems
3. Elegies
4. Ballads
5. Narrative poems

Characteristics of Medieval Literature

a. Focused on religious beliefs

- Some religious beliefs and traditions were not universal, resulting in dispute.
b. Concerned with Physical force
- The brutal and suffering experiences of people due to war and lord’s feuds.
c. Shows the lives of aristocracy
- Middle Age is a period evident with feudal lords. Thus, it showcases the lives
of aristocrats and knights.
d. Shows the inconsistency of chivalry
- Problematizing personal bravery versus societal needs, and the individual
working out his or her destiny.
 One example of its literary contribution is Beowulf which talks about a supernatural tale inspired
by historical events. Beowulf, the hero of the story, was described as having a hand grip equivalent to
the strength of 30 men, which enabled him to slay monsters.

It was told orally by eighth-century Anglo-Saxons until it was written down in the 12 th century by
an unknown English poet. By the time Beowulf was written down, Christianity was widespread because
of the Norman Conquest.

Lesson 2: Renaissance and Enlightenment (1300–1800)

From age of war that includes territorial and political dispute, famine and ignorance, the
Renaissance Period emerged.

This period is characterized for the active participation of people in literary works, that includes
the intellectual perspectives of people on a particular topic.

Renaissance Literature (1300-1600)

This is a period of creativity, development and artistic way of expression. Humanists or classical
scholars were evident on this period. They revived and translated ancient text for people to understand
and they also teach human life along with traditional Christian thought.

Humanism, or the belief of achieving an earthly perfection by acquiring different ways of living,
ideologies, and recognition of fading cultures on the other parts of the world, was common among
people. They believed this is an opportunity for them to improve in life and live better.

Remarkable events:

a. Artistic and talented individuals learned to sustain themselves through patronage.

- Patrons are people who appreciate artists and gives them money afterwards.
- Some examples of the famous patrons were Queen Elizabeth and King James I
by William Shakespeare and Third Earl of Pembroke by William Herbert.
b. Printing press
- Early mode of printing press evolved on 1440 which was invented by Johannes
Gutenberg. This led to a higher percentage of literacy among the masses. This
innovation highly affected people’s attitude towards reading and oral
tradition, which faded eventually.

The Age of Enlightenment (1600–1800)

This is a by-product of the Renaissance period. This age was considered as the birth of great
thinkers who put out their ideas into their writings and made their thoughts available to historians of
the present day. Thinking that they could be whatever they wanted to be, people paved the way toward
scientific and industrial progress. This period could be summed up as the celebration of different ideas.
Fountain of ideas were flowing on this period, and through this, people hoped that they can bring about
change.
One example of Literature during the Renaissance and Enlightenment Period

a. Much Ado About Nothing

This was considered as one of Shakespeare’s best comedies and was probably written between
1598 and 1599. This play infused humor in serious topics like honor, shame, and court politics.

Lesson 3: Romanticism and Realism (1800–1920)

During the 17th period, individuals' focus transitioned from rationalism to feelings and reality,
giving a rise to change in the themes of literary texts during this period.

Romanticism (1800-1850)

Romanticism uplifts the characters from humble backgrounds or the common man and places
importance on imagination and emotion.

Poetry was popular during this time. And it revealed more about the individual’s innermost
thoughts, dreams, and aspiration.

The Romantic Period places a greater emphasis on feelings as the core concept and experience,
which is referred to as the "language of the heart."

Realism (late 1800-early 1900s)

This is the presentation of reality. It strives to present things accurately with utmost objectivity
as possible. Realism emphasizes on capturing real-life occurrences and daily issues that affect the
common man. Realism focuses on groups of people in the hope of uncovering who they really are and
how others could relate to them.

Lesson 4: Modernism and Postmodernism (1920–Present)

Modernism (early 1900s–1965)

Modernism began in the early 20th century through roughly 1965. This period was marked by
sudden changes in man’s perspective of the world. Modernism also challenged the prevailing order
during its time and focused on experimentation while self-consciously breaking away from traditional
forms. The 20th century brought about a cultural movement that not only questioned tradition but also
suggested that knowledge, in fact, is constantly shifting and changeable depending on who views it.

The literary techniques that were invented during the period are:

a. Imagism
-refers to the literary movement that focused on clarity and conciseness by
using specific images
b. Stream of consciousness
 - a technique in which a character’s thoughts and feelings are written in an
uninterrupted flow, for example, foregoing literary devices such as description
and dialogue

c. An unreliable narrator
- a technique in point of view in which the speaker may or may not know that
his or her version of events is not entirely true

Postmodernism (1965–Present)

Postmodernism shows a crisis of identity of the human being in ethnicity and sexuality, as well
as the struggle for social and cultural acceptance in a hypocritical society. Postmodern literary work does
not pretend to be new and original; rather, it juxtaposes the old and the new to contextualize it in the
readers’ minds.

Characteristics of postmodern texts include:

a. use of paradox or self-contradictory statement;

b. use of fragmentation or incompleteness whether in form or in content; and

c. the unreliable narrator.

European Literature Presentation Main Parts

1. Brief Introduction to European Literature

- European literature is as diverse as the European languages. European
literature is from a common heritage of different Western countries.
- Like any other kind of literature in the world, it is also divided into literary
periods or eras. These are the Ancient Period (800 BC-500 AD), Medieval
Period (500-1500 AD), Renaissance Period (1300-1600), The Age of
Enlightenment (1600–1800), Romanticism Period (1800-1850), Realism Period
(late 1800-early 1900s), Modernism Period (early 1900s–1965), and the
Postmodernism Period (1965–Present).
- European writing is any reflection written in the European context based on a
philosophical idea of reasoning. It means the issue is deepened and put in a
philosophical perspective.
- Key characteristics of European Literature include an interest in the common
man and childhood, emotions and feelings, the awe of nature, emphasis on
the individual, myths, and the importance of the imagination. Instead of the
scientific view of the universe as a machine, romanticism saw it as organic,
such as a living tree.
- Some of the values were earnestness, respectability, utilitarianism, and a
strong emphasis on duty. Major ideas of this period of literature included the
glorification of war, expansion of empires, industrialism, economic prosperity,
and reform.
2. Key Features of European Epic Poems and Plays
European Epic Poems
- An epic is a long poem, typically one derived from ancient oral tradition,
narrating the deeds and adventures of heroic or legendary figures or the
history of a nation.
- The origin of epic poems traces back to some of the earliest European human
civilizations.
- The European epic tradition began with Homer in Greece around 800 BC.
- The form of the epic poem, its typical characters, its plot, its tropes, and so
forth are all set out in Homer.
- Common themes of European epics are the quest for glory that is earned
through a heroic battle, deeds of heroic figures or martial heroism, murder,
and revenge.
- Oral epics expressed the values and imagination of Western humanity and
were also used by the Greeks as models for conduct.
- European epics are written in dactylic hexameter in a dignified and elevated
style. It typically begins with an invocation to a muse and contains elaborate
descriptions, similes, and speeches. It tells of major events of historical
importance with noble characters.
- Stanzas vary in length, and its lines make use of the repetition of the same
vowel sounds, or assonance, in the middle of closely spaced words.

European Plays

- Medieval dramas or plays began in the religious ceremonies that took place in
church on important dates in the Christian calendar.
- This went on until drama became a secular affair performed on stages or
carts in town streets or open spaces. The players were guild craftsmen or
professional actors and were hired by towns to perform at local or religious
festivals.
- Three types of plays developed: the mystery, the miracle, and the morality.
The titles and themes of medieval drama remained religious but their pieces’
titles can oppose their humorous or absurd and sometimes vulgar nature.
- European plays from the Renaissance and Enlightenment period infused
humor in serious topics like honor, shame, and court politics.
- During the postmodern period, plays are true to its style of incorporating past
literary movements as well as other influences from popular culture such as
red-nosed circus clowns and traditional farce routines.
3. Similarities and Differences of Ancient and Modern Literature
Ancient literature
- Ancient literature is considered to be the modern world's foundation for
European literature.
- Intellectual and philosophical studies from the Greco-Roman culture
influenced the majority of writing throughout this time period.
- The major kinds of literature are tragedy, comedy, epic, history, biography,
prose, narrative, lyric, and satire.
 - Earliest forms of literature were oral in nature, as most people were illiterate
and there were no printing presses available during this period.
- Oral epic poetry of this period was created when human civilization was still
tribal and national, so they wanted to show that they were the best at what
they did.
- Literary works from this period often comes with a religious message or a
moral about how one ought to live which is used as a basis for moral conduct.
Modern literature
- People used literature during this time to express their personal perspectives
on the world, emphasizing on society’s current issues.
- It focused on experimentation while self-consciously breaking away from
traditional forms.
- It brought about a cultural movement that not only questioned tradition but
also suggested that knowledge, in fact, is constantly shifting and changeable
depending on who views it.
- It employs a variety of literary techniques, including imagism, stream of
consciousness, and an unreliable narrator.
- There was a greater demand for all sorts of literature because of the higher
literacy rate, which was quickly supplied by the popular press.
- Modern literature, by contrast, emphasizes on the fact that people in general
are great, rather than examining what makes their own people so great.
- It often describes the way people act in a manner that is intended to be
realistic or relatable without making moral judgments about what they ought
to have done, instead of being a model of conduct.

Similarities

- Both of the works from the two literary periods are influenced by
environmental, and socio-economic factors, including the influential people.
- The two types of literature are both inspirational, making life lessons available
to the masses.
4. Analysis of a Literary Text
5. Importance of Learning European Literature
- World literature is the cultural heritage of all humanity. It is essential to study
world literature as it helps us understand the life of different people from all
over the world throughout different time periods.
- The aim of European Literature is to create awareness of the diversity and
interrelationships of European literatures. In addition, the cultural basis of the
economic and political unification process that has shaped the European
continent in the second half of the 20th century is transmitted through the
study of European literature.
- Studying European literature allows us to step back in time and learn about
life on Earth, specifically, in Europe from the ones who walked before us.
Through this, we gain a better understanding of their culture and have a
greater appreciation of them. We learn this through the ways history is
recorded, in the forms of both written and oral storytelling such as
manuscripts, and through speech itself.