British & American Literature

Literature any written work from Latin = "writing formed with letters“ can be classified: into fiction or non-fiction into poetry or prose literature was first produced by some of the world's earliest civilizations as early as 4,000 BC (spoken or sung texts - even earlier) developments in printing technology allowed for literature to be distributed and experienced much faster it has culminated in 21st century in electronic literature

William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616) an English poet and playwright regarded as the greatest writer in the English literature born in Stratford – upon - Avon wrote about 38 plays and 154 sonnets his plays translated in many languages

William Shakespeare ( 1564 - 1616) Comedies: The Comedy of Errors The Merchant of Venice Much Ado About Nothing As you like it Tragedies: Romeo and Juliet Macbeth Hamlet King Lear Othello Historical plays: King John Richard III Henry VIII

William Shakespeare ( 1564 - 1616) Watch a short video about Shakespeare and fill in the quiz (4:43 min) http://www.biography.com/people/william-shakespeare-9480323/videos/william-shakespeare-mini-biography-12060739685

William Shakespeare ( 1564 - 1616) Quiz – are the sentences True or False? He was born on or round March 25, 1564. ……. He certainly attended a university. ……. He married Anne Hathaway in 1585. ……. All his children died. ……. He moved to London in 1580s. …….. He built his own theatre in London. …….. His company was called King’s Men. …….. He had a great influence on English language. He invented about 5000 words. …….. 9. Doubts about his authorship appeared in 19th century. ……. F (April) F T F (1 son) F (3,000) F (18th )

Charles Dickens (1812 - 1870) English writer and social critic one of the greatest novelist of the Victorian period created some of the world’s most famous memorable fictional characters wrote 15 novels, 5 novellas and hundreds of short stories and non-fiction articles famous for his humour, satire, and keen observation of character and society

Charles Dickens (1812 - 1870) The Pickwick Papers Oliver Twist David Copperfield Christmas Carol Great Expectations

Ernest Hemingway (1899 - 1961) an American author and journalist his style had a strong influence on 20th-century fiction began as a newspaper writer won the Nobel Price in Literature served in WW1, injured, returned home = this experience influenced his work

Ernest Hemingway (1899 - 1961) also fell under the influence of the modernist writers and artist ‘Lost Generation’ A Farewell to Arms To Whom the Bell Tolls The Old Man and the Sea

John Irving (1942 ) an American novelist and screenwriter, writes also short stories became popular after the international success of the novel The World According to Garp 5 of his novels have been made into films and become bestsellers The Cider House Rules (has won Oscar for script) A widow for One Year The Fourth Hand