Bihar Board Class 11 English Story of English Chapter 5 – Story of English Poetry
Bihar Board Class 11 English Story of English Chapter 5 – Story of English Poetry explains the growth and development of English poetry from the medieval period to modern times. The chapter introduces important poets, literary movements and major developments in English poetry.
Story of English Poetry is Chapter 5 and the final chapter of the Story of English section in Rainbow Part 1. The chapter covers Chaucer, the Renaissance, Elizabethan poetry, John Milton, Romantic poetry, Victorian poetry, modern poetry and poetry written in English from different parts of the world.
Bihar Board Class 11 English Story of English Poetry – Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 11th |
| Subject | English |
| Book | Rainbow Part 1 |
| Section | Story of English |
| Chapter | Chapter 5 – Story of English Poetry |
| Main Topic | Growth and development of English poetry |
Story of English Poetry – Introduction
English poetry has developed over many centuries. Different historical periods produced different poetic styles, themes and forms.
Poets used language not only to communicate ideas but also for its sound and images. As English developed, poets experimented with rhythm, rhyme, imagery and different poetic forms.
The history of English poetry therefore reflects the linguistic, social, cultural and intellectual changes that took place over the centuries.
Poetry in the Medieval Period
Early English poetry was strongly influenced by the traditions of Old English poetry. It used irregular lines and alliteration as important poetic devices.
Later, English poetry underwent major changes as the English language itself developed.
Geoffrey Chaucer
Geoffrey Chaucer occupies an important place in the history of English poetry.
Chaucer contributed significantly to the development of English as a literary language. His poetry moved away from some of the older traditions of Old English poetry.
In his poetic language, Chaucer did not use the Old English irregular lines and alliteration that characterised earlier poetry. 1
His most famous work is The Canterbury Tales, which contains a collection of stories told by pilgrims travelling to Canterbury.
William Langland
William Langland is another important poet associated with medieval English literature.
His famous work The Vision of Piers the Plowman consists of a series of dream visions.
Through his poetry, Langland attacked social evils and urged people to live a life based on moral and spiritual values.
The Renaissance
The word Renaissance means rebirth. It refers to the revival of ancient Greek learning and classical culture.
The influence of the Renaissance was clearly felt in England during the period from the accession of Elizabeth I in 1558 to the death of James I in 1625. 2
The Renaissance brought a renewed interest in classical literature, humanism, learning and artistic expression.
Elizabethan Poetry
The Elizabethan period was one of the greatest periods in English literary history.
The three great poets of the Elizabethan period mentioned in the chapter are:
- Christopher Marlowe
- Edmund Spenser
- William Shakespeare
These poets contributed greatly to the development of English poetry and drama. 3
Edmund Spenser
Edmund Spenser was one of the major poets of the Elizabethan age.
His famous poem The Faerie Queene is described as a romantic epic based on chivalry. 4
Spenser’s poetry is known for its rich imagination, musical language and allegorical elements.
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare is one of the greatest figures in English literature.
In addition to his plays, Shakespeare wrote a famous sequence of 154 sonnets.
His sonnets deal with themes such as love, friendship, beauty, time and mortality. The textbook particularly refers to tragic failure in love and broken friendship in relation to Shakespeare’s sonnets. 5
Sir Philip Sidney
Sir Philip Sidney was an important Elizabethan poet and nobleman.
He wrote the famous sonnet sequence Astrophel and Stella, published in 1591. 6
The work is an important example of Elizabethan sonnet poetry.
John Milton
John Milton is regarded as one of the greatest English poets.
He is known as a great Puritan poet. His poetic style is often described as the grand style.
His two famous epics are:
- Paradise Lost
- Paradise Regained
Milton continued to write poetry despite losing his eyesight. His intellectual power and poetic achievement made him one of the most important figures in English literature. 7
Romantic Poetry
The Romantic movement brought a renewed interest in nature, imagination, emotion and simple life.
The Romantic Revival in English poetry is strongly associated with poets such as William Wordsworth.
William Wordsworth
William Wordsworth is one of the major Romantic poets.
He wrote lyrics, ballads, odes, sonnets, verse-tales and reflective poems.
His poetry is especially known for his deep love of nature. For Wordsworth, nature is not merely a physical landscape; it has a spiritual presence and helps develop human sensibility.
His important works include The Prelude and the Lucy poems. 8
Other Romantic Poets
The Romantic period produced many important poets and helped establish imagination, emotion and nature as major poetic concerns.
The chapter also asks students to identify leading Romantic poets of the nineteenth century.
Matthew Arnold
Matthew Arnold was an important Victorian poet and critic.
He described poetry as “the criticism of life.” This statement expresses his belief that poetry should engage with human life and values. 9
Pre-Raphaelite Poets
The Pre-Raphaelite movement influenced English poetry and art during the nineteenth century.
Three poets associated with the Pre-Raphaelite movement mentioned in the chapter are:
- Dante Gabriel Rossetti
- William Morris
- A. C. Swinburne
10
Modern English Poetry
Modern English poetry reflects the complexities of modern life.
Modern poets often dealt with themes such as alienation, uncertainty, fragmentation, spiritual emptiness and the problems of modern civilisation.
T. S. Eliot
T. S. Eliot is one of the most important modern poets.
In poems such as The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock and The Waste Land, Eliot presents the hollowness and vulgarity of modern civilisation and its lack of awareness of spiritual values. 11
His poetry is an important example of modernist literary expression.
American Poets Writing in English
English poetry did not remain limited to England. Poets from America and other English-speaking regions also contributed to the development of poetry in English.
The chapter identifies two major concerns of American poets writing in English:
- To define the self
- To identify the nation
These concerns reflect questions of individual identity and national identity.
Indian Poets Writing in English
Indian poets have also made an important contribution to English poetry.
The major concerns of the early Indian poets writing in English were:
- Patriotism
- The glorious past of India
12
Indian English poetry gradually developed its own themes, imagery and cultural identity.
Canadian Poets Writing in English
The chapter also refers to Canadian poets who write in English.
Four Canadian poets mentioned are:
- Jeannette Armstrong
- Claire Harris
- Cyril Dabydeen
- Arnold Itwaru
13
Development of English Poetry – Timeline
| Period / Movement | Important Features / Poets |
|---|---|
| Old English | Irregular lines and alliteration |
| Middle English | Chaucer, Langland |
| Renaissance | Classical revival and humanism |
| Elizabethan | Marlowe, Spenser, Shakespeare |
| Puritan / Seventeenth Century | John Milton |
| Romantic | Nature, imagination and emotion |
| Victorian | Matthew Arnold and others |
| Modern | T. S. Eliot and modernist concerns |
| World English Poetry | American, Indian, Canadian and other varieties |
Story of English Poetry – Summary
Story of English Poetry traces the development of English poetry from the medieval period to modern times.
Early English poetry used irregular lines and alliteration. During the Middle English period, poets such as Chaucer and Langland played important roles in the development of English poetry.
The Renaissance brought a revival of classical learning and greatly influenced English literature. The Elizabethan period produced major poets such as Christopher Marlowe, Edmund Spenser and William Shakespeare.
John Milton became one of the greatest poets of the seventeenth century and wrote the famous epics Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained.
The Romantic Revival brought renewed interest in nature, imagination and simple life. William Wordsworth became one of its most important representatives.
Victorian and modern poets developed new poetic concerns. Matthew Arnold described poetry as the criticism of life, while T. S. Eliot presented the spiritual emptiness and problems of modern civilisation.
English poetry later developed across the world. American poets focused on identity and nationhood, early Indian poets focused on patriotism and India’s glorious past, and poets from countries such as Canada contributed further varieties of English poetry.
Main Themes of Story of English Poetry
1. Development of English Poetry
The chapter traces poetry from medieval English to modern and international poetry.
2. Renaissance
The Renaissance revived classical learning and had a major influence on English poetry.
3. Romanticism
Romantic poetry emphasised nature, imagination, emotion and simple life.
4. Modernism
Modern poetry addressed the uncertainty and spiritual problems of modern civilisation.
5. World English Poetry
Poetry in English developed beyond England and acquired different national and cultural identities.
Important Questions from Story of English Poetry
- What are words in a poem used for?
- What did Chaucer not use in his poetic words?
- What does the word Renaissance mean?
- When was the influence of the Renaissance clearly felt in England?
- Name the three great poets of the Elizabethan period.
- What is The Faerie Queene?
- Who wrote Astrophel and Stella?
- What do Shakespeare’s sonnets deal with?
- Name the two epics written by John Milton.
- Who described poetry as the criticism of life?
- Name three Pre-Raphaelite poets.
- What aspects of modern civilisation does T. S. Eliot present in his poems?
- What were the two major concerns of American poets writing in English?
- What were the major concerns of early Indian poets in English?
- Name four Canadian poets writing in English.
- Discuss John Milton as a poet.
- Discuss William Wordsworth as a poet.
Textbook Fill in the Blanks
- Words in a poem are used for their sound and images.
- Chaucer did not use the Old English irregular lines and alliteration.
- Renaissance means rebirth.
- The three great Elizabethan poets are Christopher Marlowe, Edmund Spenser and William Shakespeare.
- The Faerie Queene is a romantic epic based on chivalry.
- Shakespeare’s sonnets deal with tragic failure in love and broken friendship.
These answers correspond to the textbook exercise reproduced in the chapter-specific reference. 14
Very Short Answer Questions
Question 1. What does Langland do in The Vision of Piers the Plowman?
Answer: Langland presents a series of dream visions and attacks social evils. He urges people to follow moral values and learn to love.
Question 2. When was the influence of the Renaissance clearly felt in England?
Answer: The influence of the Renaissance was clearly felt from the accession of Elizabeth in 1558 to the death of James I in 1625.
Question 3. Who wrote Astrophel and Stella?
Answer: Sir Philip Sidney wrote Astrophel and Stella.
Question 4. Name the two epics in English written by John Milton.
Answer: The two epics are Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained.
Question 5. Who described poetry as the criticism of life?
Answer: Matthew Arnold described poetry as the criticism of life.
Question 6. Name three Pre-Raphaelite poets.
Answer: Dante Gabriel Rossetti, William Morris and A. C. Swinburne.
Question 7. What aspects of modern civilisation does T. S. Eliot present in his poems?
Answer: T. S. Eliot presents the hollowness, vulgarity and spiritual emptiness of modern civilisation in poems such as The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock and The Waste Land.
Question 8. What were the two concerns of American poets writing in English?
Answer: Their two major concerns were to define the self and to identify the nation.
Question 9. What were the major concerns of early Indian poets in English?
Answer: Their major concerns were patriotism and the glorious past of India.
Question 10. Name four Canadian poets writing in English.
Answer: Jeannette Armstrong, Claire Harris, Cyril Dabydeen and Arnold Itwaru.
Long Answer Questions
Question 1. Discuss John Milton as a poet.
Answer: John Milton is one of the greatest poets in English literature and is known as a great Puritan poet.
His poetry is distinguished by its intellectual power, seriousness and grand style. Despite losing his eyesight, Milton continued to produce great literary works.
His two famous epics, Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained, are among the major achievements of English literature.
Milton’s rich imagination, deep learning and powerful poetic expression have made him an unforgettable figure in English poetry. 15
Question 2. Discuss William Wordsworth as a poet.
Answer: William Wordsworth is one of the most important poets of the Romantic Revival.
He wrote lyrics, ballads, odes, sonnets, verse-tales and reflective poems. His poetry is strongly influenced by his love of nature.
For Wordsworth, nature is a spiritual presence that provides creative and moral training to human sensibility.
Works such as The Prelude and the Lucy poems illustrate the importance of nature in his poetry. 16
Story of English Poetry – Important Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning | Hindi Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Poetry | Literary expression in verse | कविता / काव्य |
| Renaissance | Revival or rebirth | पुनर्जागरण |
| Epic | A long narrative poem | महाकाव्य |
| Chivalry | Medieval ideals of courage and honour | वीरता और शौर्य की भावना |
| Romantic | Related to Romanticism | रोमांटिक / स्वच्छंदतावादी |
| Patriotism | Love for one’s country | देशभक्ति |
| Civilisation | An advanced social and cultural system | सभ्यता |
| Spiritual | Related to the spirit or inner life | आध्यात्मिक |
Exam Oriented Points
| Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Section | Story of English |
| Chapter | Chapter 5 |
| Lesson | Story of English Poetry |
| Medieval Poets | Chaucer and Langland |
| Elizabethan Poets | Marlowe, Spenser and Shakespeare |
| Great Puritan Poet | John Milton |
| Romantic Poet | William Wordsworth |
| Victorian Poet/Critic | Matthew Arnold |
| Modern Poet | T. S. Eliot |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chapter 5 of Story of English?
Chapter 5 of the Story of English section is Story of English Poetry.
Who is known as an important medieval English poet?
Geoffrey Chaucer is one of the most important medieval English poets.
What does Renaissance mean?
Renaissance means rebirth and refers to the revival of ancient Greek learning.
Who are the three great poets of the Elizabethan period?
Christopher Marlowe, Edmund Spenser and William Shakespeare.
Who wrote Paradise Lost?
John Milton wrote Paradise Lost.
Who described poetry as the criticism of life?
Matthew Arnold described poetry as the criticism of life.
What are the major concerns of early Indian poets in English?
The major concerns were patriotism and the glorious past of India.
How to Prepare Chapter 5 for the Exam
- Learn the major stages in the development of English poetry.
- Remember the contribution of Chaucer and Langland.
- Understand the meaning and influence of the Renaissance.
- Remember the three major Elizabethan poets.
- Learn about The Faerie Queene and Astrophel and Stella.
- Remember Milton’s two major epics.
- Understand Wordsworth’s role in Romantic poetry.
- Learn Matthew Arnold’s definition of poetry.
- Understand the concerns of modern poetry and T. S. Eliot.
- Revise the contributions and concerns of American, Indian and Canadian poets.
Important Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Previous Chapter | Bihar Board Class 11 English Story of English Chapter 4 – Future of English |
| Bihar Board Official Website | Bihar Board Online |
Conclusion
Bihar Board Class 11 English Story of English Chapter 5 – Story of English Poetry presents the long journey of English poetry from the medieval period to modern and international poetry.
The chapter is particularly important for understanding Chaucer, the Renaissance, Elizabethan poetry, John Milton, Romantic poetry, Matthew Arnold, T. S. Eliot and the development of poetry in America, India and Canada.
For examination preparation, students should focus especially on the textbook fill-in-the-blanks, very short questions, John Milton, William Wordsworth, Renaissance, Elizabethan poets and the concerns of American and Indian poets.
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