Literary Foundation

Christopher Marlowe was an immensely renowned dramatist of the Elizabethan Era, often hailed as the morning star of the English Renaissance. His profound erudition shone brightly, reflecting his thorough grounding in classical learning. Yet, Marlowe chose not to mimic the classical models; instead, he masterfully blended elements from classic drama, infusing new life into the then-emerging Elizabethan drama. Known for his innovative approach and Renaissance influence, Marlowe brought high seriousness, bombastic language, and the use of blank verse to the stage. As a pioneering Elizabethan tragedian, he is considered the "Father of English tragedy". Marlowe's emphasis on high genius within his tragedies set a new standard, recognising that tragic outcomes must be a reflection of character development—a vital and manifold contribution to the art form. Before Marlowe, Elizabethan drama was heavily influenced by Senecan tragedy, characterised by lengthy moralising speeches, ...

Poems:- 1. The epic poem , Beowulf , is widely recognized as the oldest and most significant work of Old English literature. It opens with a prologue and consists of 3182 lines written in alliterative form. The central theme of the poem is rooted in continental Germanic culture. The authorship of this epic remains unknown as there is no concrete evidence to support any particular author. While the text is primarily written in the West Saxon dialect, there are indications of Anglican dialect, though it remains unclear whether it is Mercian or Northumbrian. The exact date of the poem's creation is also uncertain, but scholars believe it was written between 975 and 1025. Scholars have consistently given negative evaluations of Beowulf's history. However, the poem was composed during a time when there was a semi-divine hero and the monstrous Grendel. The latter has been interpreted in different ways, sometimes as a bear and other times as a representation of malaria and marshlands...

During the middle of the 5th century, Britain was conquered by Germanic tribes known as the Anglo-Saxons. These tribes originated from the North Sea and Baltic regions. The Angles were the dominant group and their new territory became known as Anglalond , which eventually evolved into Englelond and then England. The term Anglo-Saxon was coined by scholar William Camden- an esteemed antiquarian, regarded as one of the earliest and most influential, in his work History of Britain . The Background of the Past:- The era of Old English, occurring between 450 and 1066, was marked by significant events. After the Romans departed in 410, the British people were vulnerable to attacks from the North. There is archaeological proof of established settlements in the last twenty-five per cent of the fifth or fourth century. The initial influx of English individuals from the continent was in the form of hired soldiers, brought in to aid in the protection against the Picts and Scots. Following the ...

William Shakespeare's Biography (1564-1616) An English playwright, poet, actor, a well-known figure of the Elizabethan age, and one of the greatest dramatists of English drama Shakespeare was born on 23 April 1564 in Stratford, England. He was baptized on 26th April 1564 at Stratford-on-Avon's church. His father was John Shakespeare, the son of a farmer who came from the nearby village of Snitterfield to Stratford in about 1551. He was prosperous as a trader in corn, meat, leather, and other agricultural products. His mother's name was Mary Arden, the daughter of a wealthy farmer. She descended from an old Warwickshire family of mixed Anglo-Saxon blood. His parents got married in 1559. Shakespeare's parents were illiterate but evidence shows that his father can write. In 1582, Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway, the daughter of a peasant family of Shottery, who was eight years older than her boy husband. Education of Shakespeare:- He never attended any renowned education...