The History of Western Literature
Western literature has a rich history dating back to Ancient Greece, where works such as Homer’s The Iliad and The Odyssey laid the foundations for epic storytelling. These poems, which deal with heroism, war and journey, have profoundly influenced the development of literature over the centuries. However, the transition from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance brought about a significant shift in human thought. Writers such as Dante Alighieri, with The Divine Comedy, and Geoffrey Chaucer, with The Canterbury Tales, presented a new perspective on man, morality and society, reflecting the changes of the time.
In the 18th century, the Enlightenment spurred a new wave of questioning, with authors such as Voltaire challenging institutions and social norms, promoting reason as the key to progress. The Industrial Revolution also had a significant impact on literature, with writers such as Charles Dickens using their works to expose the inequalities and hardships of the working classes, as in Oliver Twist and Great Expectations. Thus, Western literature has constantly evolved, being a mirror of the social, political and cultural changes that have shaped the modern world.
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