Literary Studies: The Legacy of England
MIT OpenCourseWare offers this survey of English literature organized around the theme of English humor across centuries. The syllabus moves chronologically through medieval riddles and character sketches, Renaissance lyrics and a play, eighteenth-century satires in prose and caricature, nineteenth-century irony, and modern short stories and film. Readings pair literary works with attention to the historical and cultural conditions that shaped their forms and conventions, so a satire or riddle is read alongside the period that produced it. The course is designed for students who want grounding in English literary history and writing, not just isolated texts. Materials include full reading lists, assignments, and discussion questions posted on MIT's OpenCourseWare site, free to access with no certificate offered. It suits anyone wanting a structured, period-by-period introduction to English literary culture from the Middle Ages to the twentieth century.