The creation of literature is a process that evolved alongside human civilization. It originated as a means for humans to express their thoughts, experiences, and beliefs, initially through oral storytelling and later in written form. Here's a detailed guide to the origins and development of literature:
1. Oral Tradition (Prehistoric Era)
Purpose: Early humans used oral stories to share knowledge, preserve history, explain natural phenomena, and entertain.
Forms:
Myths and Legends: Stories about gods, creation, and the origins of humanity (e.g., creation myths).
Folk Tales: Stories passed down through generations for entertainment and moral instruction.
Epic Poetry: Long, narrative poems recounting heroic deeds (e.g., The Epic of Gilgamesh).
3. Early Written Literature
Characteristics:
Focus on religious, philosophical, and historical themes.
Development of poetic structures and storytelling techniques.
Examples:
Mesopotamia: Laws (e.g., Code of Hammurabi) and epics.
India: Sanskrit literature like the Mahabharata and Ramayana.
China: Ancient texts like the I Ching and Confucian classics.
4. Classical Literature (800 BCE–500 CE)
Greece and Rome:
Greek Literature: Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey, and later, works by playwrights like Sophocles and philosophers like Plato.
Roman Literature: Works by Virgil (Aeneid), Ovid, and Cicero.
India: The Upanishads and early Tamil Sangam poetry.
China: Masterpieces like The Art of War by Sun Tzu and poetry by Confucian scholars.
5. Medieval Literature (500–1500 CE)
Religious Dominance:
Literature often revolved around religion, morality, and spirituality.
Examples: Beowulf (Anglo-Saxon epic), Dante’s Divine Comedy, and Islamic Golden Age texts.
Development of Vernacular Literature:
Writers began using local languages rather than Latin or classical tongues.
Example: Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales.
6. The Renaissance and Enlightenment (14th–18th Century)
Rediscovery of Classical Texts: Inspired a revival of arts and literature emphasizing humanism and reason.
Notable Works:
Shakespeare’s plays.
Cervantes’ Don Quixote.
Philosophical works by Voltaire, Rousseau, and Locke.
7. Modern Literature (19th Century Onward)
Realism and Romanticism: Literature reflecting real-life experiences or celebrating nature and emotion.
Diverse Genres: Emergence of novels, short stories, and experimental forms.
Globalization: Writers from non-European regions gained prominence.