EASY HANDBOOK on English Literature FOR SET (ENGLISH) - OTHER COMPETITIVE EXAMINATIONS

Sep 20, 2026

Upload by Hazel

EASY HANDBOOK on English Literature for SET (ENGLISH) & other competitive examinations compiles exam-focused factual points across medieval to Renaissance English literature. The content summarizes major historical and literary events, including the Norman Conquest, the Black Death, and the Peasants Revolt, then links key works and authors such as Chaucer, Langland, Malory, and Spenser to specific themes, sources, and character details. It also highlights dramatic forms like miracle, mystery, morality, interludes, and heroic couplets, supporting quick revision for competitive test preparation.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages44

Reading Time1 h 51 min

AccessFree to download

Key Historical Background

Norman Conquest and medieval events

Chaucer and Canterbury Tales

Sources, characters, and literary influences

Medieval Poetry and Allegory

Piers the Plowman and related works

Miracle, Mystery, and Morality Plays

Forms, themes, and examples

Renaissance and Elizabethan Literature

Major authors and representative works

EASY HANDBOOK on English Literature FOR SET (ENGLISH) & OTHER COMPETITIVE EXAMINATIONS Prepared by Arunprasad R. Fortuna Britto Edited by Dr. Kalyani Vallath Director 67 Vrindavan Gardens Pattom Palace PO, Trivandrum—4, Kerala Ph: 0471-2444402 ; 9387839871; 9037357688; 9745842322 [Websites: www.ugcnet-english.in](Websites: www.ugcnet-english.in); [www.vallathstes.co.in](www.vallathstes.co.in) 1. The Norman Conquest occurred in 1066. 2. Chaucer ’s Canterbury Tales begins with Knight’s tale and ends with Parson’s tale. 3. Chaucer ’s Canterbury Tales is based on Boccaccio’s Decameron. 4. The name of the poet who was born during the reign of Edward III, lived through that of Richard II and died in the reign of Henry IV was Chaucer. 5. The Black Death which occurred during the time of Chaucer is also called the Great Plague. 6. The Peasants Revolt took place in the year 1381 and resulted in the end of serfdom. 7. The Hundred Years War which occurred during the reign of Edward III began in 1337. 8. Chaucer ’s The Book of the Duchess is an allegory on the death of his patron John of Gaunt’s wife, Blanche. 9. Chaucer ’s The House of Fame has close resemblance to Dante’s Divine Comedy. 10. Chaucer ’s Troilus and Cresyde was influenced by Boccaccio’s Filastrato. 11. Chaucer ’s Canterbury Tales was influenced by Boccaccio’s Decameron. 12. The first group of pilgrims to come to the Tabard Inn was The Knight, The Squire and the Yeoman. 13. The name of the Prioress in The Canterbury Tales is Eglentyne. 14. The character represented by Chaucer as a scorner of books and interested in fine clothes, hunting and full-blooded horses—Monk. 15. The words Amor Vincit Omnia was engraved on the brooch of the Prioress. 16. The gat-tooth of Chaucer ’s Wife of Bath is a sign of her boldness, gluttony and lasciviousness. 17. The Miller ’s wart on the nose, wide black nostrils, and mouth as big asa furnace are physiognomic details pointing to his greed, vulgarity and coarseness. 18. The characterization of the monk, the prioress, the summoner and pardoner reveal the corruption of the church. 19. Chaucer ’s Canterbury Tales begins in April, at the height of Spring. 20. Piers the Plowman was written by William Langland. 21. Piers the Plowman is divided into visio and vita. 22. John Gower ’s Speculum Meditantis is written in French; Vox Clamantis in Latin and Confessio Amantis in English. 23. Morte d’ Arthur is a prose romance by Thomas Malory. 24. Heroic Couplet was used for the first time in English literature in Chaucer ’s The Legend of Good Women. 25. Chaucer was called “The well of English undefiled” by Spenser. 26. Rhyme Royal was introduced into English by—Chaucer. 27. The Miracle plays dates back to the 12th Century. 28. Harrowing of Hell, St. Nicholas and Raising of Lazarus are examples of Miracle plays. 29. Mystery plays and Morality plays were in vogue from the 14th century. 30. Mystery plays deal with the themes of creation, fall and redemption. 31. The Second Shepherd’s play by Wakefield Master is an example of Mystery play. 32. Interludes are short dramatic pieces filling intervals, that grew under the patronage of Henry VIII. 33. The four P’s by John Heywood is an example of an Interlude. 34. The Morning star of the Renaissance is Chaucer. 35. The first book to be printed in English is History of Troy (1474) 36. The first translator of Bible into English is John Wycliffe. 37. Caxton set up the first printing press of England in 1476 at Westminister. 38. Everyman is an example of a Morality play. 39. More’s Utopia was published in 1551. 40. Spanish Armada was defeated in 1588. 41. Sir Philip Sidney’s Astrophel and Stella is a sonnet sequence addressed to Penelope Devereaux. 42. Sidney’s Arcadia is a prose treatise. 43. Queen Elizabeth ascended the English throne in 1558. 44. The famous educationist and reformer who wrote The School Master is

FAQs

What historical events are covered at the beginning of the handbook?

It mentions the Norman Conquest in 1066, the Black Death (Great Plague), the Peasants Revolt in 1381, and the Hundred Years War starting in 1337.

Which work is described as being based on Boccaccio’s Decameron?

Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales is stated to be based on Boccaccio’s Decameron, and the influence is repeated in later points.

What types of plays are discussed and how are mystery plays explained?

The handbook covers miracle plays, mystery plays, morality plays, and interludes. It states that mystery plays deal with creation, fall, and redemption, and gives examples like the Second Shepherd’s play.

Sep 20, 2026

Upload by Hazel