
- 296 pages
- English
- PDF
- Available on iOS & Android
About this book
This is a comprehensive guide to a literary period characterized by great variety and imagination, and vividly alert to the social transformations overtaking society. Spanning almost two centuries, it introduces the reader to a diverse range of authors writing for a fast-developing readership of both men and women. Each chapter focuses on a group of genres primarily associated with a particular social class – from the Drama and Saints' Lives accessible to the illiterate, to the sophisticated Romances of Love savoured by the aristocracy and the Court. Lively historical narratives place each group of texts in their social, political and cultural contexts. Significant or typical texts are given more detailed analysis that includes critical issues and questions to guide the reader's own approach, and each section is supported by a detailed bibliography of further reading.
Frequently asked questions
- Essential is ideal for learners and professionals who enjoy exploring a wide range of subjects. Access the Essential Library with 800,000+ trusted titles and best-sellers across business, personal growth, and the humanities. Includes unlimited reading time and Standard Read Aloud voice.
- Complete: Perfect for advanced learners and researchers needing full, unrestricted access. Unlock 1.4M+ books across hundreds of subjects, including academic and specialized titles. The Complete Plan also includes advanced features like Premium Read Aloud and Research Assistant.
Please note we cannot support devices running on iOS 13 and Android 7 or earlier. Learn more about using the app.
Information
Table of contents
- Cover
- Half Title
- Title
- Copyright
- Contents
- List of Text-boxes
- Acknowledgements
- Note on Quotation from Middle English Texts
- Introduction
- 1 The Poor Commons: Literature and Social Change
- 2 The Poor Commons: Education and Dissent
- 3 The Urban Middle Class: Satire, Debate and Political Advice
- 4 The Urban Middle Class: Tales of Women and Marriage
- 5 The Community of the Church: Religious Lyrics and the English Mystics
- 6 Religious and Moral Stories
- 7 Aristocratic Love
- 8 Chivalric Romances
- Index