How long is the history of English poetry?
Q: How long is the history of English poetry?
A: The history of English poetry stretches from the middle of the 7th century to today.
Q: What is the significance of English poetry?
A: English poets have written some of the longest-surviving poems in Western culture, and the language and its poetry have spread around the world.
Q: How was the earliest poetry from England transmitted?
A: The earliest surviving poetry from the area now called England was probably transmitted orally (or passed from person to person by mouth, without being written down).
Q: Why is it difficult to determine the earliest English poems?
A: The earliest poetry was written down in versions that do not now survive, making it difficult to say which poems were the earliest.
Q: What are some of the major national poetries that have developed?
A: Some of the major national poetries that have developed include American, Australian, New Zealand, Canadian and Indian poetry.
Q: Is Irish literature considered part of English or British literature?
A: It may be controversial to describe Irish literature as English or British, even though it is in the English language.
Q: What is the controversy over the earliest English poems?
A: There is a lot of controversy over this issue due to the lack of surviving written versions of the earliest poetry.
