John Milton Biography
John Milton (1608–1674), author of Paradise Lost and other works, was an English poet. He was born in Bread Street, Cheapside, London, on the 9th of December 1608. Milton’s Parents and Early Life His father,...
Category: E4-Resources
Resources for British Literature: English 4.
Shakespeare Resources
Why do William Shakespeare’s plays still touch us today? This Renaissance playwright, poet, and actor had a unique way with words and a timeless grasp of human nature. His works are considered to be...
Understanding Emma’s World by Pamela Whalan
Understanding Emma’s World by Pamela Whalan Difficulties for modern readers Timeless Human Nature Good Breeding: A Marriage Consideration Wealth through Marriage: Dowries Work for Single Women Marriage as a Business Deal Men Earning Money:...
Emma: A Play by Pamela Whalan
Emma: A Play by Pamela Whalan Sometimes, acting out a section of the novel can help you understand the text. We’re delighted that Pamela Whalan has given us a sneak peek at Emma: A...
Pride and Prejudice: A Play by Pamela Whalan
Pride and Prejudice: A Play by Pamela Whalan Enjoy an excerpt from Pride and Prejudice: A Play, by Pamela Whalan, who has adaptated Jane Austen’s novel Pride and Prejudice for the stage. Sometimes acting out...
Social Background of Pride and Prejudice by Pamela Whalan
The Social Background of Pride and Prejudice by Pamela Whalan Matrimony and Finances: Women’s Options, Marriage Settlements, and Family Obligations Cost of Living: Travel and Clothing Earning Money: Property, Military, Law, and Church Work...
Of Education by John Milton
Of Education by John Milton Of Education was published anonymously as a tract in 1644. It represents John Milton’s views “concerning the best and noblest way of education.” Milton believed that education was to “fit a man to...
Jane Austen Biography
This brief Jane Austen biography by David Cody is likely to whet your appetite for learning more about Jane Austen and her works.
Modernism, Faith, and Intellectuals
In a Modernist* culture hostile to Christianity, how did T. S. Eliot, C. S. Lewis, G. K. Chesterton, and many more join the faith — and how did other intellectuals like Virginia Woolf react?...
Faerie Queene Introductory Materials
This introduction to The Faerie Queene will help you to understand the time period when it was written, meet the author Edmund Spenser, and interpret the text’s allegory and verse structure. By Dr. George...
The Age Which Produced The Faerie Queene
The Age Which Produced The Faerie Queene By Dr. George Armstrong Wauchope, Professor of English, South Carolina College The study of the Faerie Queene should be preceded by a review of the great age...
Study of The Faerie Queene
Study of The Faerie Queene By Dr. George Armstrong Wauchope, Professor of English, South Carolina College A Romantic Epic Influence of the New Learning Interpretation of the Allegory The Spenserian Stanza Versification Diction and...
Spenser Timeline
What happened during Faerie Queene author Edmund Spenser’s life? This Spenser timeline covers the years from Spenser’s birth in 1552 to his death in 1599.
Edmund Spenser Biography
The Life of Edmund Spenser Author of The Faerie Queene Spenser biography Dr. George Armstrong Wauchope, Professor of English, South Carolina College Birth and early years Edmund Spenser was born in London near the...
History of the Renaissance by Bamber Gascoigne
History of the Renaissance From HistoryWorld by Bamber Gascoigne The word Renaissance The Renaissance may be vivid in the mind’s eye – in images of human figures sculpted in the round, or in scenes...
The Protestant Reformation by Steven Kreis
The Protestant Reformation Lecture 3: From The History Guide by Dr. Steven Kreis Arise, O Lord, and judge Thy cause. A wild boar has invaded Thy vineyard. Arise, O Peter, and consider the case...
Sonnet VII by John Milton
Sonnet VII: How soon hath Time, the Subtle Thief of Youth ON HIS BEING ARRIVED AT THE AGE OF 23. by John Milton How soon hath Time, the subtle thief of youth, Stol’n on...
Lord Byron Biography
Overview of Byron’s life Parents and birth Raised by his mother First love Pigots and poetry Out on his own Criticism and triumph House of Lords Travels across Europe Return to England “Childe Harold”...
Elizabeth Barrett Browning Biography (1911)
Elizabeth Barrett Browning Biography Family history and upbringing Meeting other poets Health troubles Praise and correspondence Browning’s courtship A secret wedding Published poetry Politics and posterity “God took her” Overview of married life and...
Robert Browning Biography (1911)
Robert Browning Biography Family background Early career & personality First major poems (Paracelsus and Sordello) Dramatic works Expanding poetic repertoire Marriage Browning’s masterpiece: The Ring and the Book Growing fame Later writings Beliefs (religious...
The Nightingale English Madrigal
The madrigal, a polyphonic musical composition usually sung a capella, was a type of secular Renaissance music that would have been familiar to writers such as Edmund Spenser. Madrigals usually feature the words of...
Virginia Woolf Resources
Virginia Woolf Resources Virginia Woolf (1882-1941) was a Modernist writer who used the stream-of-consciousness technique, as seen in her novel To the Lighthouse. Here are a selection of resources you may find helpful in...
1995 Pride and Prejudice Fan Trailer
I recommend the 1995 BBC/A&E version of Pride and Prejudice, with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle. It incorporates much of Austen’s incomparable dialogue and remains generally faithful to the novel. Below, this brief “trailer”...
“Let the Bright Seraphim” by Handel from Samson opera
Many musical works are inspired by or based upon John Milton’s writing, including the three-act oratorio Samson by George Frederic Handel. Samson is a three-act oratorio by George Frideric Handel, considered one of his finest dramatic...
Thomas Tallis Medieval Music
Thomas Tallis (c. 1505 – 1585) is an English Renaissance composer of choral music. He is considered one of England’s greatest composers, and served at court as a composer, organist, and performer for several monarchs...
King Lear video excerpt
When studying a play, you should always watch it rather than just reading the text. Better still, watch more than one version, then try acting out a few scenes with your family or class....
King Lear Video of Stage Performance
This King Lear stage clip includes the first 15 minutes of Trinity Theatre Company’s production of “King Lear”, directed by Francesca Gilpin and starring Michael Elliot in the title role. You can follow along...
Lycidas by John Milton
English poet John Milton wrote this pastoral elegy in mourning for a childhood friend. It is saturated throughout with classical allusions, so it’s best to read it with a Dictionary of Allusions close at...
On His Blindness by John Milton
On His Blindness by John Milton When I consider how my light is spent Ere half my days in this dark world and wide, And that one talent which is death to hide Lodg’d...
Gratefulnesse by George Herbert
Gratefulnesse by George Herbert Thou that hast giv’n so much to me, Give one thing more, a gratefull heart. See how thy beggar works on thee By art. He makes thy gifts occasion more,...
