British Culture

British Literature Annual Booker Prize is televised as an important national event, causing a great deal of discussion. The rich variety of theatre performance available in London is one of literature attractions to visitors. Early Writing: much early British writing was concerned with Christianity: Anglo-Saxons produced beautifully illustrated. Few people in this period were literate, because the English language was so different that make native English people give up reading. One of the oldest of these early “Old English” literary works is a long poem from Anglo-Saxon times called Beowulf that tells a story of 6th century Swedish warrior Beowulf. British entered the Middle Ages (1066-1485) in 1066 with Norman Conquest; French became the language of royal court, but The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer (1343-1400) who wrote the first poet in English. It is also notable for its diversity, both in the range of social types amongst the 31 pilgrims, and the range in style of the stories they tell. The legend of King Arthur established in literary form with the publication in 1138 of Geoffrey of Monmouth’s History of the King of British, though calling itself a work of history, invented material to fill the broad gaps in the historical records. Le Morte D’Arthur(Death of Aththur) that as the best-known version was completed by Thomas Malory. Elizabethan Drama: drama is the most successful in British culture. The notable playwrights included Christopher Marlowe, Ben Jonson, and William Shakespeare. Marlowe(1564-1616) was the earliest of this great trio. The Tragical History of Dr Faustus is his famous play, the story is a man who sold his soul to the devil in return for power. William Shakespeare(1564-1616) is the best-known literary figure in the world., his plays fall into categories, or classes. Such as tragedies including Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Othello; comedies including The taming of the shrew, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, history plays