A narrative of English literary history from the Old English period to the Restoration of the monarchy (700-1660), paying attention to works, authors, and genres, and to changes of language and culture. Readings include Beowulf, selections from The Canterbury Tales, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, a Shakespeare play, and selections from such authors as Julian of Norwich, Sir Thomas Wyatt, Edmund Spenser, Sir Philip Sidney, John Donne, Andrew Marvell, and John Milton.