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  The Scandinavian Influence on English Language. The Old English language was essentially self-sufficing. But in course of time, three important foreign influences modified or enriched large parts of its vocabulary, grammar and sound- structure. The Scandinavian is one of these great influences that worked on English. In 787 A.D, a long series of Viking inroads into England began and they continued through the next two centuries, leading to the settlement of quite a large Danish population in England. This settlement resulted in introducing the Scandinavian element into English Language. The Scandinavian were culturally, racially and linguistically almost identical with the conquered English. As such the conquerors could not lend a large number of ideas or words to the English people. Since the Scandinavian were a little superior to the English in legal administration and sea-faring, they lent some terms associate with these activities such as law, bylaw, crave, thrall etc. S...
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  Write a Short Essay on Middle English Romances.   The French Influence during the Anglo-Norman period was instrumental in producing a rich body of secular romantic literature- the Romances which form a considerable part of Middle English Poetry. The Romances had flourished as a literary type in France in the later part of the Eleventh century, and it nearly took two centuries for these French tales to appeal in English. Before the time of Malory these legendary tales of Normans and the Teutons were written in verse. At first they were composed by the Norman poets in Norman-French, but about 1250 these themes were rewritten in English, for by that time the Norman-French lost its dominant position and the English spirit and the English Language began to assert its supremacy and prevailed. The Romances were fascinating poetic tales which recount the valiant and marvelous adventures of medieval heroes or knights. They frequently deal with the extravagant and the supernatur...
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Examine Critically the Growth and Development of the Elizabethan Sonnets. Or Elizabethan Sonnet-Sequences.

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  Examine Critically the Growth and Development of the Elizabethan Sonnets.  Or Elizabethan Sonnet-Sequences. The Renaissance which electrified the imagination of the Elizabethan towards the beginning of the Sixteenth century gave impetus to a tremendous outburst of lyricism in England. The whole air was thick with the resonant melodies of the songsters, for England, Merry England became a nest of singing birds. Indeed, the Elizabethan learnt to live intensely, think intensely and write intensely. The intensity coming in the wake of a new spurt of imaginative and emotional splendour naturally found spontaneous outlet in abundant lyrical expression. The lyrical impulse of the Elizabethans manifested itself in a great variety of poetic forms, the most significant of which was the sonnet and the sonnet sequence. The period from Chaucer to Wyatt in poetry, if not absolutely barren, had reached a state of stagnation. The best poetical works we have are the verse-satires of John S...
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