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A Comprehensive History of English Prose: From Earliest Forms to Modern Styles, Study notes of English Literature

A comprehensive historical overview of english prose, tracing its evolution from its earliest forms to the 21st century. it details key periods, influential writers, significant works, and major stylistic shifts. The chronological approach allows for a clear understanding of the development of english prose, highlighting the impact of social, political, and intellectual movements on its form and content. Valuable for students of english literature, history, and linguistics, offering a rich and detailed account of a crucial aspect of english literary history. it explores the transition from religious to secular themes, the rise of the novel, and the influence of scientific thought on prose writing. the inclusion of key figures and their contributions provides a strong framework for understanding the complexities of english prose development. The detailed analysis of various periods and their unique characteristics makes this a valuable resource for academic study.

Typology: Study notes

2023/2024

Available from 05/22/2025

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History of English Prose
1. Earliest English Prose:
- The first English prose work was King Aethelbert of Kent’s law code,
written after St. Augustine arrived in 597 AD.
2. 9th Century English Prose:
- Prose writing in English began in the 9th century, especially after King
Alfred worked to improve English learning. He translated several works into
English.
3. Anglo-Saxon Chronicle:
- This book records major historical events, like the Danish Wars and the
Norman Conquest.
4. Aelfric of Winchester:
- Aelfric, a student of Aethelwold, was a famous writer in the 10th century.
His popular work, “Homilies”, was widely read.
5. King Alfred’s Translations:
- King Alfred translated “Consolation of Philosophy” by Boethius into
English.
6. Competition from Other Languages:
- English had to compete with Latin and Anglo-Norman for literary
dominance.
7. 14th Century Prose:
- In the 14th century, writers like Richard Rolle became popular. Some of his
works include “The Commandment”, “Meditations on the Passion”, and “The
Form of Perfect Living”.
8. Middle English Prose:
- The Middle English period (14th century) was a time of growth for English
prose, especially with many translations.
9. Popular Translations:
- “The Mirror of the Blessed Life of Jesus Christ” by Nicholas Love is one
example of translated work.
10. Shift in Themes:
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History of English Prose

  1. Earliest English Prose:
    • The first English prose work was King Aethelbert of Kent’s law code, written after St. Augustine arrived in 597 AD.
  2. 9th Century English Prose:
    • Prose writing in English began in the 9th century, especially after King Alfred worked to improve English learning. He translated several works into English.
  3. Anglo-Saxon Chronicle:
    • This book records major historical events, like the Danish Wars and the Norman Conquest.
  4. Aelfric of Winchester:
    • Aelfric, a student of Aethelwold, was a famous writer in the 10th century. His popular work, “Homilies”, was widely read.
  5. King Alfred’s Translations:
    • King Alfred translated “Consolation of Philosophy” by Boethius into English.
  6. Competition from Other Languages:
    • English had to compete with Latin and Anglo-Norman for literary dominance.
  7. 14th Century Prose:
    • In the 14th century, writers like Richard Rolle became popular. Some of his works include “The Commandment”, “Meditations on the Passion”, and “The Form of Perfect Living”.
  8. Middle English Prose:
    • The Middle English period (14th century) was a time of growth for English prose, especially with many translations.
  9. Popular Translations:
    • “The Mirror of the Blessed Life of Jesus Christ” by Nicholas Love is one example of translated work.
  10. Shift in Themes:
  • By the 14th century, there was a shift from religious to secular themes in prose.
  • Chaucer's “Tale of Melibee”(also called “Tale of Melibeus”) is an example of this.
  1. Chaucer's Other Works:
  • Chaucer also wrote works like “The Treatise on the Astrolabe” and “The Equatorie of the Planets”, which are also part of secular prose.
  1. John of Trevisa's Translations:
  • John of Trevisa translated works like “Polychronicon” by Ranulf Higden and “De Proprietatibus Rerum” (On the Properties of Things) by Bartholomaeus Anglicus.
  1. Popular Secular Work:
  • “The Voyage and Travels of Sir John Mandeville” was the most widely-read secular prose of the time.
  1. 15th Century Prose:
  • In the 15th century, serious prose writings like “The Chronicle of England” by John Capgrave and “The Governance of England” by Sir John Fortescue were important.
  1. Elyot and Educational Prose:
  • Sir Thomas Elyot popularized educational prose during the 15th century.
  1. William Caxton:
  • William Caxton, known as "The English Printer," printed many important English works, including those of Chaucer and Malory.
  • He also translated 24 works, including “The Recuyell of the Historyes of Troye” and “The Game and Playe of Chesse” in 1471.
  1. Sir Thomas More:
  • Sir Thomas More is best known for his Latin work “Utopia”, which describes an ideal society.
  • He also wrote “The Life of John Picus” and “The History of Richard III”.
  • Genres: Biographies, autobiographies, histories, and essays became popular. Important 17th Century Prose Writers:
  1. Robert Burton:
    • Famous for The Anatomy of Melancholy (analysis of melancholy and mental health).
    • Blended medical, philosophical, and social ideas.
    1. Thomas Browne:
    • Famous works: Religio Medici and Urn Burial.
    • Mixed religious faith with science, exploring logic, faith, and human nature.
  2. John Milton:
    • Famous for Paradise Lost (an epic poem) and Paradise Regained.
    • Wrote prose works on politics and religion, supporting freedom of the press and opposing the Church of England. Restoration Prose (Late 17th Century)
  • Age of Reason: Emphasis on logical and factual thinking.
  • Notable Writers:
    1. John Dryden:
      • Famous for poetry and literary criticism.
      • His satirical works and plays shaped Restoration literature.
      • Known for Absalom and Achitophel and as England's first poet laureate.
    2. John Bunyan:
      • Famous for The Pilgrim’s Progress (an allegorical novel).
      • Known for simple, clear language that made his work popular. Key Features of 16th and 17th Century Prose
  • 16th Century: Romances, pamphlets, and translations from Latin and Greek.
  • 17th Century: Focused on clarity, scientific writing, philosophy, and personal reflections.
  • Style: Prose became more structured and accessible, with a focus on reasoning and clarity.

18th Century Prose

  • The 18th century was a prolific period for prose writing, often referred to as the "century of prose" by Matthew Arnold.
  • Even the era's poetry had a prosaic quality. Key Figures in 18th Century Prose:
  1. Daniel Defoe (1660–1731)
    • Known for novels like Robinson Crusoe and Moll Flanders.
    • Worked as a merchant, journalist, and political writer.
    • Wrote political pamphlets, supported King William III, and spent time in jail for slander.
    • In his 50s, he began writing novels, with Robinson Crusoe being his most famous work.
    • Other novels: Moll Flanders, Colonel Jack, Captain Singleton, Journal of the Plague Year, Roxana.
  2. Richard Steele (1672–1729)
    • British essayist, playwright, and politician.
    • Co-founder of the Tatler magazine with Joseph Addison.
    • Known for comedy plays and essays on social and political issues.
    • Also launched periodicals like The Guardian and The Plebeian.
    • His partnership with Addison was very successful in the history of English literature.
  3. Jonathan Swift (1667–1745)
    • Irish author and satirist, best known for Gulliver’s Travels.
    • Worked as a statesman and dean of St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin.
    • Gulliver’s Travels (1726) was a satire on political and social issues and became a timeless classic.
  4. Joseph Addison (1672–1719)
    • Known for his essays, poetry, and plays.
    • Co-founder of the Spectator magazine with Richard Steele.
  • His well-known works include The Citizen of the World (1762), a series of letters by a foreign traveler commenting on different customs.
  • He was a member of Dr. Johnson's "Club" and was friends with notable figures like Edmund Burke.
  1. Edward Gibbon (1737–1794)
  • Famous for his historical work The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.
  • Gibbon began his career writing historical essays, including one on the study of literature in 1761.
  • He became a Member of Parliament in 1774 and published the first volume of The Decline and Fall in 1776.
  • His autobiography is also considered a classic. These writers significantly influenced English literature, particularly in the fields of history, criticism, and essays. 19th Century Prose Prose in the Romantic Period (First Half of the 19th Century)
  • The Romantic period was known for its poetry, but poets like Wordsworth, Coleridge, Keats, and Shelley also contributed important prose works.
  • Key Novelist: Jane Austen and Sir Walter Scott were major figures in the development of the novel.
  • Essays: Writers like Charles Lamb, William Hazlitt, and Thomas De Quincey expanded the essay genre.
  • Political Influence: The French Revolution sparked debates on political and social issues, leading to new journals and prose works. Important Journals of the Period:
  • The Morning Chronicle (1769)
  • The Times (1785)
  • The Edinburgh Review (1802)
  • Blackwood’s Magazine (1817) Notable Prose Contributions:
  • Richard Price: Love of Our Country (on the French Revolution)
  • Edmund Burke: Reflections on the Revolution in France
  • Mary Wollstonecraft: A Vindication of the Rights of Woman (1792) – a foundational feminist text.
  • Wordsworth: Preface to Lyrical Ballads (important work in literary criticism)
  • Shelley: Defence of Poetry (1821) Key Romantic Essayists:
  1. Charles Lamb (1775–1834)
    • Known for his personal and charming essays in Essays of Elia (1823) and The Last Essays of Elia (1833). His essays blend humor, reflection, and imagination.
  2. William Hazlitt (1778–1830)
    • Famous for his humorous essays and political writings. He was a critic of the government and wrote about literature, politics, and society. His Spirit of the Age (1825) is notable.
  3. Thomas De Quincey (1785–1859)
    • Best known for Confessions of an English Opium-Eater (1821). His prose is poetic and imaginative, with a focus on personal experience and philosophy. Victorian Prose (19th Century)
  • The Victorian period was marked by democracy, reform, and rapid industrial and social changes.
  • Novels became more popular with writers like Charles Dickens, George Eliot, and William Thackeray.
  • Key Prose Writers: John Ruskin, Thomas Carlyle, and Macaulay. Notable Figures:
  1. Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881)
    • Known for his historical works like The French Revolution (1837) and Sartor Resartus (1834). His style is unique, mixing poetic language with a strong sense of personal expression.

Notable Writers of the 20th Century:

  1. A.G. Gardiner (1865–1946)
    • Known for his elegant and humorous essays under the pseudonym "Alpha of the Plough." His works include Pillars of Society and Pebbles on the Shore.
  2. E.V. Lucas (1868–1938)
    • A versatile writer and editor of Charles Lamb's works. His essays were light, witty, and full of common sense. Some of his major works are The Open Road and Good Company.
  3. Hilaire Belloc (1870–1953)
    • A French-born essayist known for his light verse and essays. He collaborated with G.K. Chesterton, and his works include On Nothing and On Everything.
  4. G.K. Chesterton (1874–1936)
    • Famous for his paradoxical essays, Chesterton's notable works include All Things Considered and Tremendous Trifles.
  5. Max Beerbohm (1872–1956)
    • Known for his irony and satire, Beerbohm wrote essays and parodies of his contemporaries, such as in The Works of Max Beerbohm (1896).
  6. Robert Lynd (1879–1949)
    • A scholar and essayist known for his charm and wisdom. His best works are The Pleasure of Ignorance and Essays on Life and Literature. Biography in the 20th Century
  • Lytton Strachey revolutionized biography with works like Eminent Victorians (1918), presenting famous figures with their flaws and human qualities.
  • The rise of psychobiography, influenced by Freud and Jung, led to new ways of understanding historical figures, as seen in Virginia Woolf's Orlando (1928).
  • Feminist biographies became more prominent, exploring the lives of women writers like Woolf and others, inspired by earlier feminist works.

21st Century Prose

  • The 21st century features a variety of prose styles, blending genres and breaking traditional rules.
  • Contemporary issues like climate change, international conflicts, and science fiction dominate.
  • Pastiche (parody) has become a key characteristic of 21st-century writing, reflecting the age's eclectic and experimental nature.
  • Predicting literary trends is challenging as the century is still unfolding.