English Poetry

1. Discuss the historical and cultural contexts of English poetry from the Anglo-Saxon period to the 20th century.
2. Analyze the major themes and literary techniques of selected poems.
3. Explain the characteristics of different poetic movements, such as the Renaissance, Romanticism, and Modernism.
4. Evaluate the contributions of prominent English poets, including Chaucer, Shakespeare, Wordsworth, and Eliot.
5. Apply critical thinking skills to interpret and appreciate the nuances of English poetry.

13 weeks, about 26 hours in total. Yours will differ.

1. Week 1Module 1: The Earliest English Poetry and the Anglo-Norman Period

   • Unit 1: Background to the Earliest English Poetry · 2 hours

     Read the unit introduction to understand the Anglo-Saxon settlement of Britain and its impact on the English language.. Identify the factors that led to the emergence of England and its poetry.. Examine the significance of wars in shaping the history and language of England..

2. Week 2Module 1: The Earliest English Poetry and the Anglo-Norman Period

   • Unit 2: Beowulf and the Earliest English Epic · 2 hours

     Define the characteristics of an epic poem and identify epic qualities in Beowulf.. Analyze Beowulf's conquests, history, and cultural significance.. Examine the literary style of Beowulf, including alliterative verse and kennings..

3. Week 3Module 1: The Earliest English Poetry and the Anglo-Norman Period

   • Unit 3: The Battle of Maldon · 2 hours

     Define heroic poetry and its characteristics.. Discuss The Battle of Maldon as a heroic poem, focusing on the deeds of Byrhtnoth.. Analyze the heroic style in The Battle of Maldon, including dramatic and formal elements..

4. Week 4Module 1: The Earliest English Poetry and the Anglo-Norman Period

   • Unit 4: Chaucer's Poetry · 2 hours

     Relate Chaucer's biography to his poetry.. Discuss the nature of Chaucer's poetry and its departure from Anglo-Saxon traditions.. Assess the style of Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales, including its narrative structure and characterization..

5. Week 5Module 2: The Renaissance Poetry

   • Unit 1: What is Renaissance? · 2 hours

     Explain the meaning of Renaissance and its impact on European intellectual life.. Discuss the features of Renaissance, including humanism, realism, and secularism.. Describe the nature of the English Renaissance and its key figures..

6. Week 6Module 2: The Renaissance Poetry

   • Unit 2: Elizabethan Poetry · 2 hours

     Identify the key developments in Elizabethan poetry, including themes, models, and verse forms.. Examine the works of Humfrey Gifford and other Elizabethan poets.. Discuss the style of Elizabethan poetry, including iambic meters and courtly poems..

7. Week 7Module 2: The Renaissance Poetry

   • Unit 3: Shakespearean Sonnets · 2 hours

     Summarize the biography of William Shakespeare.. Discuss Shakespearean sonnets and their themes of time, beauty, and love.. Explain the Shakespearean style of sonnets, including iambic pentameter and rhyme scheme..

8. Week 8Module 2: The Renaissance Poetry

   • Unit 4: Metaphysical Poetry · 2 hours

     Explain who the metaphysical poets were and their characteristics.. Discuss the poetry of John Donne as being metaphysical, focusing on wit and conceits.. Examine the works of Andrew Marvell as metaphysical poetry, including "To His Coy Mistress.".

9. Week 9Module 3: English Poetry in the Restoration and 18th Century

   • Unit 1: Satire in the 18th Century · 2 hours

     Discuss satire as a literary tool in the 18th century.. Explain the nature of satire and its various techniques.. Analyze the use of satire in 18th-century England, including the works of Pope and Swift..

10. Week 10Module 3: English Poetry in the Restoration and 18th Century

    • Unit 2: 18th Century Classicism · 2 hours

      Discuss Neoclassicism as an art movement in England.. Identify the features of Neoclassicism, including reason, balance, and order.. Explain the nature of poetry during the Neoclassical period, focusing on Dryden and Pope..

11. Week 11Module 3: English Poetry in the Restoration and 18th Century

    • Unit 3: John Dryden's Poetry · 2 hours

      Discuss the brief history of John Dryden and his political allegories.. Analyze Dryden's "Absalom and Achitophel" and its historical context.. Examine Dryden's use of satire and allegory in his poetry..

12. Week 12Module 3: English Poetry in the Restoration and 18th Century

    • Unit 4: Alexander Pope's Poetry · 2 hours

      Discuss the life of Alexander Pope and his contributions to English poetry.. Explain the style of Pope's poetry, including heroic couplets and satire.. Analyze Pope's "The Rape of the Lock" as a mock-heroic poem..

13. Week 13Module 4: English Poetry and the Romantic Movement

    • Unit 1: Background to the Romantic Movement · 2 hours

      Discuss the historical background of the Romantic period.. Explain the literary overview of the period, including key themes and characteristics.. Discuss the nature of the English Empire during the Romantic era..