The Oresteia, a trilogy of Greek tragedies written by Aeschylus in the 5th century BCE, revolves around the murder of Agamemnon by Clytemnestra, the subsequent murder of Clytemnestra by Orestes, and the ensuing trial and resolution of the curse on the House of Atreus. Comprising Agamemnon, The Libation Bearers, and The Eumenides, the trilogy delves into the interplay between the characters and the Greek gods, showcasing their influence on events and conflicts. It is the sole surviving example of an ancient Greek theatre trilogy and was awarded the first prize at the Dionysia festival in 458 BCE. Key themes explored include the dichotomy of revenge and justice, as well as the progression from personal vendetta to organised legal processes. While originally intended to include a satyr play titled Proteus, only a single line from it has survived.

A. John of Trevisa: John of Trevisa (c. 1342 – c. 1402) was an English writer and translator. He is known for his translation of the Polychronicon, a popular historical work by Ranulf Higden, from Latin to Middle English. This translation played a significant role in disseminating historical knowledge in English during the 14th century.

C. John Mandeville: John Mandeville is the purported author of "The Travels of Sir John Mandeville," a travel narrative that gained popularity in the 14th century. The work describes the adventures and experiences of Mandeville during his travels to the Holy Land, Egypt, India, and other distant lands. While the identity of the actual author remains uncertain, the book influenced European perceptions of the East and inspired subsequent travel literature.

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B. Julian of Norwich: Julian of Norwich (c. 1342 – c. 1416) was an English mystic and writer. She is best known for her book "Revelations of Divine Love," which is considered one of the earliest surviving English-language works authored by a woman. In her writings, Julian explores themes of God's love, redemption, and the nature of sin, offering profound insights into Christian spirituality.

D. Bernard of Clairvaux: Bernard of Clairvaux (1090 – 1153) was a French abbot, theologian, and mystic. He played a crucial role in the Cistercian monastic movement and was known for his eloquent preaching and influential writings. Bernard's works, such as "On Loving God" and "Sermons on the Song of Songs," delve into topics like love for God, the soul's journey towards union with the divine, and contemplative prayer. He is regarded as one of the most important Christian thinkers of the Middle Ages.

E. Walter Hilton: Walter Hilton (c. 1340 – c. 1396) was an English Augustinian mystic and writer. His most well-known work is "The Scale of Perfection," a guide to contemplative prayer and spiritual life. Hilton's writings emphasise the pursuit of inner purity, the need for self-knowledge, and the transformative power of divine love. His works greatly influenced later English mystics and spiritual writers.

The Shepheardes Calender, originally titled The Shepheardes Calendar, Containing twelve Aeglogues proportionable to the Twelve monthes. Entitled to the Noble and Vertuous Gentleman most worthy of all titles both of learning and chevalrie M. Philip Sidney, marks Edmund Spenser's first significant poetic work, published in 1579. Inspired by Virgil's Eclogues, Spenser crafted a series of pastoral poems at the start of his career, drawing more from the Renaissance eclogues of Mantuanus. The deliberate use of archaic spelling in the title and throughout the work creates an intentional connection to mediaeval literature, particularly Geoffrey Chaucer. Dedicated to Philip Sidney, the poem introduces Colin Clout, a character derived from John Skelton, and portrays his life as a shepherd across the twelve months of the year. The Calendar showcases formal innovations that anticipate Spenser's even more elaborate Countess of Pembroke's Arcadia (The "Old" Arcadia, 1580), a renowned pastoral romance by Sir Philip Sidney, who was acquainted with Spenser. Notably, the first publication of The Shepheardes Calender includes extensive commentary and gloss attributed to an individual identified as "E.K." Often assumed to be an alias of Spenser himself, E.K. is a clever, subtly ironic commentator, occasionally mistaken but highly insightful. The term "sarcasm" (Sarcasmus) is first recorded in English in Spenser's poem (October).

Spenser presented the first three books of The Faerie Queene to Elizabeth I in 1589, probably sponsored by Sir Walter Raleigh.

The Rose Theatre was a prominent playhouse in London, constructed by Philip Henslowe and actively used from 1587 to around 1605. Situated on a leased rose garden along the South Bank of the Thames, Henslowe and his partner, John Cholmley, oversaw its construction. The theatre took on an octagonal shape and featured a thatched roof, built with timber and plaster on a brick foundation. Over the years, Henslowe made significant investments in repairing, renovating, and expanding the Rose.

While specific details about its early years remain unknown, the Rose Theatre gained prominence in 1592 when Lord Strange's Men, along with members of the Admiral's Men and the renowned actor Edward Alleyn, established themselves there. They showcased notable plays such as Robert Greene's "Friar Bacon and Friar Bungay," Thomas Kyd's "The Spanish Tragedy," Christopher Marlowe's "The Jew of Malta," and William Shakespeare's "Henry VI, Part 1." Sussex's Men took residence in the Rose in 1593-94 and presented the first performance of Shakespeare's "Titus Andronicus." In 1594, Alleyn, who had married Henslowe's stepdaughter, brought the Admiral's Men to the Rose.

By 1600, the Rose Theatre faced challenges, including the deterioration of its structure and competition from the newly opened Globe Theatre. In response, Henslowe constructed a new theatre called the Fortune in the northern part of the city, prompting the Admiral's Men to relocate. The Rose Theatre saw sporadic use until Henslowe's lease expired in 1605, after which it was eventually demolished.

Poetry and drama:

• 1629: On the Morning of Christ's Nativity
• 1630: On Shakespeare
• 1631: On Arriving at the Age of Twenty-Three
• 1632: L'Allegro
• 1632: Il Penseroso
• 1634: A Mask Presented at Ludlow Castle, 1634, commonly known as Comus (a masque)
• 1637: Lycidas
• 1645: Poems of Mr John Milton, Both English and Latin
• 1652: When I Consider How My Light is Spent
• 1655: On the Late Massacre in Piedmont
• 1667: Paradise Lost
• 1671: Paradise Regained
• 1671: Samson Agonistes
• 1673: Poems, &c, Upon Several Occasions

Arcades: a masque. (date is unknown). On his Deceased wife, To The Nightingale, On reaching the Age of twenty four.

Prose: Of Reformation (1641), Of Prelatical Episcopacy (1641), Animadversions (1641), The Reason of Church-Government Urged against Prelaty (1642), Apology for Smectymnuus (1642), Doctrine and Discipline of Divorce (1643), Judgement of Martin Bucer Concerning Divorce (1644), Of Education (1644), Areopagitica (1644), Tetrachordon (1645), Colasterion (1645), The Tenure of Kings and Magistrates (1649), Eikonoklastes (1649), Defensio pro Populo Anglicano [First Defence] (1651), Defensio Secunda [Second Defence] (1654), A Treatise of Civil Power (1659), The Likeliest Means to Remove Hirelings from the Church (1659), The Ready and Easy Way to Establish a Free Commonwealth (1660), Brief Notes Upon a Late Sermon (1660), Accedence Commenced Grammar (1669), The History of Britain (1670), Artis logicae plenior institutio [Art of Logic] (1672), Of True Religion (1673), Epistolae Familiaries (1674), Prolusiones (1674), A brief History of Moscovia (1682), De Doctrina Christiana (1823)

Absalom and Achitophel is a verse satire written by John Dryden and published in 1681. The poem explores the Exclusion crisis, a contemporary event centred around the efforts to prevent James, Duke of York, a Roman Catholic convert, from succeeding to the throne. Dryden draws inspiration from the biblical story of Absalom and Achitophel, using biblical names to represent key figures in the crisis. For instance, Monmouth represents Absalom, Shaftesbury represents Achitophel, and Charles II represents David. Despite the prevailing anti-Catholic sentiments of the time, Dryden's skillful analysis of the motives behind the political intrigues helps defend the Duke of York's position. A second part of the poem, featuring contributions from Nahum Tate and containing lines by Dryden aimed at his literary rivals, was published in 1682.

Richard Lovelace (9 December 1617 – 1657) was an English poet in the seventeenth century. He was a cavalier poet who fought on behalf of Charles I during the English Civil War. His best known works are "To Althea, from Prison", and "To Lucasta, Going to the Warres". "To Lucasta, Going to the Warres" in 1649 was published in the collection Lucasta by Lovelace of that year. The initial poems were addressed to Lucasta, not clearly identified with any real-life woman, under the titles "Going beyond the Seas" and "Going to the Warres", on a chivalrous note.

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George Herbert was an English poet and Anglican priest who lived from 1593 to 1633. He is known for his religious poetry characterised by its deep spirituality and intricate use of metaphysical conceits. Some of his notable poems include: The Temple: Sacred Poems and Private Ejaculations. Notable poems: The Church Porch, The Altar, The Sacrifice, Love (III), Redemption, The Collar, The Pulley, The Windows, The Elixir, The Bag.

Thomas Carew was an English poet associated with the Cavalier poets during the 17th century. His poems often reflect the themes of courtly love, beauty, and sensuality. Some of his famous works include: An Elegie upon the death of the Deane of Pauls, Dr. John Donne, To Saxham, To my worthy Friend, M. D’Avenant, upon his Excellent Play, The Iust Italian, On the Marriage of T. K. and C. C. the Morning Stormie, Various love poems and songs dedicated to "Celia", A Rapture, Loves Courtship, Poems addressing the nature of poetry itself, Elegy on John Donne.

Sir John Suckling (10 February 1609 – after May 1641) was an English poet, prominent among those renowned for careless gaiety and wit – the accomplishments of a cavalier poet. He also invented the card game cribbage. He is best known for his poem "Ballade upon a Wedding". Other poems: "Why So Pale and Wan, Fond Lover?", "Song: Ballad upon a Wedding", "I Pr'ythee Send Me Back My Heart", "The Constant Lover", "Out upon It! I Have Loved", "Love's Offence", "Song: Love Will Find out the Way", "A Doubt of Martyrdom", "The Soldier's Song", "The Unfortunate Lover".

Gallathea, also known as Galatea, is a comedy written by John Lyly during the Elizabethan era. The play was first performed on New Year's Day in 1588 at Greenwich Palace, before Queen Elizabeth I and her court, by the Children of St Paul's, a troupe of boy actors. By this time, Lyly had already achieved success with his prose romance Euphues and held a position as a writer in residence at Blackfriars theatre. The story unfolds in a village situated along the Lincolnshire shore of the river Humber and in the adjacent woods, featuring an array of characters such as Greek deities, nymphs, fairies, and shepherds.

Joanna Baillie (11 September 1762 – 23 February 1851) was a Scottish poet and dramatist, known for such works as Plays on the Passions (three volumes, 1798–1812) and Fugitive Verses (1840). Her work shows an interest in moral philosophy and the Gothic. She was critically acclaimed in her lifetime, and while living in Hampstead, associated with contemporary writers such as Anna Barbauld, Lucy Aikin, and Walter Scott. She died at the age of 88. Address To A Steam-Vessel by Joanna Baillie.

Other Explanations:

Maria Edgeworth: Maria Edgeworth was primarily known for her prose fiction and did not write major poems. Her notable works include novels such as "Castle Rackrent" and "Belinda."

Katherine Mansfield: She was primarily known for her short stories rather than poetry. However, she did write some poems throughout her career. Some of her notable poems include "A Little Boy's Dream" and "The Awakening."

John Millington Synge was primarily a playwright but did write some poetry as well. His notable poems include "To the Oaks of Glencree" and "The Passing of the Shee.”

In the quote provided from Gulliver's Travels, the protagonist, Lemuel Gulliver, describes the landscape he encounters during his travels. He expresses his amazement and delight at the picturesque view before him. The countryside is depicted as a vast garden, with fields resembling colorful flower beds. This description highlights the fantastical and imaginative nature of Jonathan Swift's satirical novel, in which Gulliver encounters extraordinary and surreal landscapes during his adventures in different lands.

A Modest Proposal" by Jonathan Swift, the speaker proposes a disturbing solution to address the issue of poverty and overpopulation in Ireland. The speaker suggests that instead of allowing infants of impoverished families to suffer and perish, they should be used as a source of food for the wealthy. The quote emphasises the speaker's cynical and satirical tone, criticising the callousness and indifference of society towards the plight of the poor. Swift's intention in writing this essay was to expose the heartless attitudes of the ruling class and provoke social and political change through irony and satire.

In the quote from "A Tale of a Tub" by Jonathan Swift, the speaker uses vivid and metaphorical language to describe the progression of a bodily process. The quote describes the transformation of semen into choler (one of the four humours in ancient medical theory) and its journey from the reproductive organs to the brain. This passage reflects the satirical and fantastical nature of the work, which uses exaggerated and absurd imagery to mock various aspects of society, religion, and human behaviour. "A Tale of a Tub" is a satirical prose work by Swift that criticises religious hypocrisy and the excesses of human nature through a series of humorous and exaggerated stories.

In the excerpt from "A Description of a City Shower" by Jonathan Swift, the speaker vividly describes a torrential rainstorm in the city. The rainwater sweeps through the streets, carrying with it various unpleasant and unsightly objects, such as animal remains, rotten fish, and vegetable waste. This depiction creates a stark contrast between the dirty, chaotic urban environment and the natural elements of rain and water. The poem satirises urban life and the filth and decay found in the city, using vivid and grotesque imagery to emphasise the squalor and unpleasantness of the urban setting.