Literature – It’s Origin

The word “literature” originated from the Latin word

“literatura” which means “learning, writing, grammar.” This
word was formed from “litera” which means “letter” or
“character.” It was used in the context of education and
learning, specifically the study of written texts. In the Middle
Ages, the term “literature” was used to refer to the works of
scholars and poets, and it was not until the 18th century that
the term began to be used more broadly to refer to all
written works.

English Literature – What is it?

English literature is the study and analysis of written works

produced in the English language. It encompasses a wide
range of texts, including poetry, novels, plays, and non-
fiction, spanning from the Anglo-Saxon period to the present
day.
Literature simply refers to any piece of writing that is valued
as a work of art. In a general sense, it is the expression of
human thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Literature can
display both good and bad aspects of society. Hence,
literature can be regarded as a mirror of society whatever
changes the society undergoes they will be reflected in
contemporary literature in one way or the other. Literature
then is a successful medium to express human emotions:
sadness, happiness, pleasure, pain, love, hate, fear, disgust,
and anger such human emotions in literature are expressed
artistically through language. It means literature needs to be
beautiful and trustworthy.
Shakespear – Who is he?

William Shakespeare was an English playwright,

poet and actor. He is widely regarded as the
greatest writer in the English language and the
world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called
England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon”.
His extant works, including collaborations, consist
of some 39 plays, 154 sonnets, three
long narrative poems, and a few other verses,
some of uncertain authorship. His plays have
been translated into every major living
language and are performed more often than
those of any other playwright. Shakespeare
remains arguably the most influential writer in the
English language, and his works continue to be
studied and reinterpreted.

Works of Shakespeare

 All’s Well That Ends Well (1601–05)

 Antony and Cleopatra (1606–07)
 As You Like It (1598–1600)
 The Comedy of Errors (1589–94)
 Coriolanus (c. 1608)
 Cymbeline (1608–10)
 Hamlet (c. 1599–1601)
 Henry IV, Part 1 (c. 1596–97)
 Henry IV, Part 2 (1597–98)
 Henry V (c. 1599)
  Henry VI, Part 1 (1589–92)
 Henry VI, Part 2 (1590–92)
 Henry VI, Part 3 (1590–93)
 Henry VIII* (first produced 1613)
 Julius Caesar (first produced 1599–1600)
 King John (c. 1594–96)
 King Lear (1605–06)
 Love’s Labour’s Lost (between 1588 and 1597)
 Macbeth (1606–07)
 Measure for Measure (c. 1603–04)
 The Merchant of Venice (c. 1596–97)
 The Merry Wives of Windsor (between 1597 and 1601)
 A Midsummer Night’s Dream (c. 1595–96)

Much Ado About Nothing (probably 1598–99)

 Othello (1603–04)
 Pericles (c. 1606–08)
 Richard II (1595–96)
 Richard III (c. 1592–94)
 Romeo and Juliet (c. 1594–96)
 The Taming of the Shrew (between 1590–94)
 The Tempest (c. 1611)
 Timon of Athens* (between 1605–08)
 Titus Andronicus (between 1589–92)
 Troilus and Cressida (c. 1601–02)
 Twelfth Night (c. 1600–02)
 The Two Gentlemen of Verona (probably between 1590–94)
 The Two Noble Kinsmen* (c. 1612–14)
 The Winter’s Tale (c. 1609–11)

Shakespeare’s Tragedies – What are they? Examples?

Shakespeare's tragedies were written throughout his career, starting with Titus
Andronicus and Romeo and Juliet. Shakespeare's tragedies can be divided into two groups. Some of
his tragedies focus on love, such as Romeo and Juliet, Antony and Cleopatra, and Othello. Each of
these tragedies involve lovers who are torn apart for some reason. These tragedies involve characters
who have no control over their fate and are separated by things beyond their control. They are
informally known as the 'heart' tragedies.
Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies
Shakespeare has written many plays which are tragic in nature. But the followings six plays written by
Shakespeare are called the greatest tragedies of Shakespeare:

 Macbeth
 Hamlet
 King Lear
 Othello
 Julius Caesar
 Romeo and Juliet.
Characteristics of Shakespearean
Tragedy
 Shakespearean tragedy is the story
of one person or utmost two
person, hero and heroine.
 Shakespearean hero is a man of
high position like king, prince or
General of the Army.
 Shakespearean tragedy is the story
of suffering and calamity of the
tragic hero.
 These suffering and calamities are
exceptional and so affect the whole
nation.
 In Shakespearean tragedy chance
and fate plays important role.
 In Shakespearean tragedy
supernatural elements like ghosts
 and witches also play important
role.
 The hero of the tragedy suffers due
to a flaw in his characters. Un
knowingly he commits some
mistakes and consequently he
suffers.
 The Shakespearean tragic hero dies
in the end of the play. The play in
which the hero does not die in the
end of the play is not a tragedy in a
true Shakespearean sense.
 Internal conflict is one of the most
important elements in
Shakespearean tragedy. There is
always confusion in the mind of the
hero. The hero’s fall is due to this
internal conflict.
 In Shakespearean tragedy, the tragic
hero always faces a critical dilemma.
Julius Caesar – About the play
William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar is a historical
drama that explores the downfall of a powerful leader
and the struggle between ambition and loyalty. Set in
the waning days of the Roman Republic, the play delves
into the assassination of Julius Caesar and its bloody
aftermath.
The s tory begins with the celebration of Caesar's
victory over Pompey, highlighting the shifting political
landscape. We meet Brutus, a noble Roman and close
friend of Caesar, who is troubled by Caesar's growing
ambition and the public's adoration. Cassius, a cunning
senator, manipulates Brutus's anxieties, convincing him
that Caesar seeks to become king and destroy the
Republic.
Torn between loyalty and his perception of duty, Brutus
joins a conspiracy with Cassius and other senators to
assassinate Caesar. The assassination takes place at the
Senate House on the Ides of March, a date warned
about by a soothsayer whom Caesar disregarded.
Despite their noble intentions, the conspirators
underestimate the power of Caesar's legacy and the
public's reaction. Mark Antony, Caesar's loyal friend,
delivers a stirring funeral oration, swaying the crowd to
anger and vengeance. Civil war erupts as Caesar's
supporters, led by Mark Antony and Octavius (Caesar's
adopted son), clash with the conspirators.
Brutus and Cassius, haunted by their actions and
burdened by the war's brutality, ultimately meet their
demise. Brutus, defeated in battle, chooses suicide
rather than face further bloodshed. Cassius, believing
the cause lost, takes his own life as well.
Antony and Octavius emerge victorious, establishing a
new order in Rome. The play ends with a sense of loss
and uncertainty as the future of the Republic remains
unclear.
Key Themes:
 Ambition vs. Loyalty: The play explores the
conflict between personal ambition and loyalty to a
friend, state, or ideal. Caesar's ambition for power
and Brutus's loyalty to the Republic are central to
the tragedy.
 Public Manipulation: Cassius skillfully manipulates
Brutus's fears and ideals to further his own political
agenda, highlighting the dangers of mob mentality
and political maneuvering.
 Fate and Free Will: The play grapples with the
concept of fate and free will. The soothsayer's
warnings suggest a predetermined outcome, while
the characters' choices ultimately shape their
destinies.
  The Rise and Fall of Leaders: Julius Caesar's rise
and fall as a leader serve as a cautionary tale about
the dangers of unchecked ambition and the fragility
of power.
Shakespeare's Language:
Shakespeare's masterful use of blank verse (unrhymed
iambic pentameter) and powerful imagery create a
dramatic and timeless experience. The play is filled
with memorable quotes that explore themes of power,
[[[[[[[[[[[betrayal, and the human condition.
Legacy:
Julius Caesar remains one of Shakespeare's most
enduring tragedies. It continues to resonate with
audiences due to its exploration of timeless themes, its
complex characters, and its powerful language. The
play offers a cautionary tale about the dangers of
unchecked ambition and the importance of finding
balance within a society.