Question

Wycliff and Langland are writers of the .......................... period.

• A. Old English
• B. Middle English
• C. Modern English
• D. Post-modern English

Hint:

The 14th century is a crucial time in English literature. Remember the three major poets of this era: Geoffrey Chaucer ('The Canterbury Tales'), William Langland ('Piers Plowman'), and the anonymous author of 'Sir Gawain and the Green Knight'. John Wycliffe is the key figure for prose and religious translation in the same period.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question requires placing two major literary figures, John Wycliffe and William Langland, into their correct historical literary period.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
- William Langland (c. 1332 – c. 1386) is the presumed author of the allegorical narrative poem 'Piers Plowman', a seminal work of Middle English literature.
- John Wycliffe (c. 1320s – 1384) was a theologian and an early proponent of reform in the Roman Catholic Church. He directed the translation of the Bible into Middle English, now known as Wycliffe's Bible.
Both authors lived and wrote in the 14th century, which is firmly within the Middle English period (c. 1150-1500). They wrote in the vernacular Middle English of their time, making it more accessible to the common people.
Step 3: Final Answer:
John Wycliffe and William Langland were prominent writers during the Middle English period. Therefore, option (B) is the correct answer.