1, Old English Period (499- 1066): The literature in this period is mainly poetry, especially alliterative poems, such as the national epic Beowulf. In addition, there are some Christian poems. The most important literary work in this period is Beowulf, which is not only a treasure of English literature, but also the earliest dialect epic in Europe.
2. Middle English Period (1066- 1500): The literary works in this period mainly include knight legends, ballads and poems. In knight legend, the English theme is the adventure story of King Arthur and his knights of the Round Table, in which Sir Gawaine and the knight in green represent the highest achievement of knight legend.
3. Renaissance (1500- 1660): Literature in this period is characterized by rediscovering and attaching importance to ancient Greek and Roman culture, and writing in mother tongue. Representative writers are Thomas Moore and john donne.
4. Neoclassical period (1660- 1798): This period is characterized by advocating rationality and knowledge and emphasizing rules and order. Representative writers are samuel johnson and alexander pope, whose works are clear and eloquent.
The role of the history of English literature;
1. Cultural inheritance: The history of English literature is an important part of the treasure house of western culture. By understanding the history of English literature, we can have a deep understanding of western culture, values and historical background, which will help us to fully understand the western world.
2. Artistic appreciation: The classic works in the history of English literature, such as Shakespeare's plays and Jane Austen's novels, are treasures in the treasure house of human culture and art. By studying and appreciating these works, we can improve our artistic appreciation and literary accomplishment.
3. Humanistic quality: English literary works contain rich humanistic thoughts and spiritual connotations, such as the complexity of human nature, social problems and moral values. By studying and studying the history of English literature, we can cultivate our humanistic quality and independent thinking ability and help us better understand ourselves and others.