Scottish literature
Scottish literature encompasses works produced in Scotland or by Scottish authors, reflecting a rich tapestry of cultural and linguistic diversity. It includes literature written in English, Scots, Scottish Gaelic, and various regional dialects. The origins of Scottish literature trace back to the sixth century, with significant developments emerging by the fourteenth century, notably through the poetry of John Barbour, the first major figure in this literary tradition. Renowned poets like Robert Burns have added to its fame, with works that resonate globally, particularly "Auld Lang Syne."
Throughout history, notable authors such as Sir Walter Scott, Arthur Conan Doyle, and Robert Louis Stevenson have shaped the landscape of Scottish literature, contributing classics that explore complex themes of identity and contradiction. The late twentieth century witnessed a renaissance that revitalized the Scots language, with writers like Hugh MacDiarmid promoting its modern usage. Today, contemporary voices, including Carol Ann Duffy and J.K. Rowling, continue to emerge, further enriching Scotland's literary heritage. This vibrant literary tradition not only reflects Scotland's historical struggles and cultural identity but also engages with broader themes relevant to a global audience.
Scottish literature
Scottish literature refers to works written in Scotland or by Scottish writers. From a language perspective, works may be written in English, Scottish Gaelic, Scots, or a mix of other languages associated with the area. Some historians date the earliest existing Scottish literature back to the fourteenth century, while others place the date at closer to the sixth century. Early Scottish literature consisted primarily of poetry, specifically that of John Barbour (c. 1320–1395). He is the first major writer of Scottish literature. His most notable and possibly only surviving work is The Brus (The Bruce), a historical romance written in verse. However, historians believe that Barbour may have written other surviving early Scottish literature but do not know for certain.
The poet Robert Burns (1759–1796) may be the most well-known author of Scottish literature. Burns' poems include "A Red, Red Rose" and "Auld Lang Syne," which is sung in many countries when the clock strikes midnight on New Year's Day.
Alasdair Gray (1934–2019) is considered the father of Scottish literature. Born in Glasgow, Gray was a writer and an artist who is best-known for his first novel, Lanark, (1981). Other famous Scottish writers include J.M. Barrie (1860–1937), Sir Walter Scott (1771–1832), Arthur Conan Doyle (1859–1930) and Robert Louis Stevenson (1850–1894).
Contrasts and contradictions are common themes in Scottish literature, not surprising, considering the widespread popularity of Stevenson’s 1886 novel The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Those contrasts extend to blending international and more localized influences to create a hybrid context.
Brief History of Scotland
Scotland occupies about one-third of Great Britain and is situated in the most northern four parts of the United Kingdom (UK). The name comes from "Scotia," the Latin word for "land of the Scots." The name Caledonia, however, has often been applied to Scotland, especially in reference to the country's poetry. Caledonia is derived from a Roman tribal name. Economically, Scotland is one of Europe’s poorest countries but is a known contributor to philosophical progress as part of the Scottish Enlightenment. More tangible contributions include the inventions and advancements of Alexander Graham Bell (1847–1922), Andrew Carnegie (1835–1919), and John McAdam (1756 – 1836).
Although England has undoubtedly had an influence on Scotland and both are part of the UK, Scotland is its own country. Ancient hunter-gatherers moved to Scotland around 6000 BCE. Another group, known as the "Picts" or "painted people" inhabited what is now Scotland thousands of years later. The Scots, people from Ireland, invaded Scotland around 500 CE. (Scots is also a language associated with Scotland.) After this, the Vikings, who were from Scandinavia, invaded Scotland.
King Edward I of England claimed to be the ruler of Scotland, but the Scottish people rebelled against him. After many battles, England recognized Scotland as an independent nation. Scotland was led by Mary, Queen of Scots from 1542 until she was exiled in 1567 when the official religion of the country changed from Catholic to Protestant. Mary's son, James, became the ruler of both England and Scotland in 1603, uniting the countries under a single ruler. In 1707, Scotland and England became part of the UK.
Earliest Works
Some early Welch literature was written in Scotland. It includes The Gododdlin, or Y Gododdlin, the earliest surviving verse. It is a series of elegies lamenting the men of the Brittonic kingdom of Gododdlin, who died fighting in the Battle of Catraeth in North Britain around 600 CE. The work is attributed to bard Aneirin, an early Medieval war poet. Another early work, the Battle of Gwen Ystrad, was written around the same time and is attributed to Taliesin, another bard.
Fourth through Sixteenth Centuries
The earliest extant Scottish literature dates to the second half of the fourteenth century. John Barbour’s poem, The Bruce (1376), explores the activities of King Robert I who secured Scotland’s independence from England.
From the fifteenth to the seventeenth century, Scottish literature underwent major changes, structurally and otherwise. Scots was considered a more formal, restrictive language. However, Scottish authors John Bellenden (1533–1587) and John Leslie (1766–1832) partially broke down the language in their own writing, easing the readability and creating a less restrictive flow. Former king of the United Kingdom, James VI (1566–1625), also promoted the literature from Scotland, his birth country. He worked to increase the financial backing needed to produce solid work.
Seventeeth Century
The transfer of the Scottish court to England at the turn of the century left a hole in what had been a steady stream of literary contributions. Without the patronage, or money, that the court had provided for arts, writers of non-religious literature faced financial hardships. Though writers did not entirely stop writing at this point, the public was left with less secular compositions. Robert Sempill (1595-1665) wrote humorous poetry during this period and is attributed with being the first to use the metre that became the standard for humorous Scottish elegy. Other notable poets of the time include William Drummond of Hawthornden (1585-1649) and Lady Grizel Baillie (1665-1746) who is often remembered for her songs.
Classical Gaelic poetry, literature produced in the Scottish Gaelic language, also declined, and a new type of Gaelic poetry began. Also at this time, theaters tried to keep their folk dramas alive. More readers-style theater productions took place. These theaters had actors read directly from scripts instead of performing elaborate scenes.
Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries
England’s union with Scotland began to stir negative feelings as early as 1707, as some Scottish people felt that their individuality and identity was slowly eroding. To combat the Anglicization, anthologies written in Scots were released, including the Choice Collection of Comic and Serious Scots Poems, by the Scottish writer and printer James Watson (1664–1722), and The Ever Green by the Scottish poet Allan Ramsay (1686–1758). Scottish poets who wrote in Scots and English also rose to fame at this time. By the end of the eighteenth century, Walter Scott (1771–1832) became one of the most prominent Scottish writers. His novels include Ivan Hoe (1819), Rob Roy (1817), andThe Bride of Lammermoor (1819). His narrative poems include "The Lady of the Lake" and "Marmion." Scott is also credited with creating the first modern historical novel. The Heart of Mid Lothian, published in 1818, is likely his most famous novel of this genre. Scott's work influenced that of writers in other nations, including the United States.
Though Scott wrote in English, his work was infused with Scots dialogue and culture. His popularity surpassed those Scottish poets who refused to write in Scots.
Twentieth Century
A literary renaissance took place in the twentieth century after World War I (1914–1918). The hope of the writers during the renaissance was to modernize the Scots language and promote its use. However, even into the twentieth century, success came more frequently to those who wrote in English. Hybrid language was introduced in the early-1900s. Hugh MacDiarmid (1892–1978), a Scottish poet and journalist, began writing in "Lallans," a combination of Scots dialects with more traditional Scottish language and more standardized English. After seeing the success of MacDiarmid’s poem "A Drunk Man Looks at the Thistle," more writers began using Lallans.
Notable Authors
Many Scottish writers became well-known is the twentieth century. One such author, J.M. Barrie, is known throughout the world for writing Peter Pan, which was published as a play in 1904 and a novel in 1911. In addition to Peter Pan, Barrie published several plays including Dear Brutus (1917), Mary Rose (1920), and The Twelve Pound Look (1921). Before he died in 1937, Barrie gave the rights to Peter Pan to London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children.
Arthur Conan Doyle, who was born in Scotland in 1859, rose to fame after creating the character Sherlock Holmes, who first appeared in A Study of Scarlet in 1887. Robert Louis Stevenson is known for his children’s books, including the adventure novel Treasure Island (1882) and A Child’s Garden of Verses (1885). He also penned pieces for adults, including the Gothic novella The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1886). Sir Walter Scott wrote many novels that became classics including Ivanhoe(1819). He also translated non-Scottish works. Scott’s writing also included nonfiction work such as the Life of Napoleon Buonaparte (1827).
Famous Scottish writers continue to emerge in the twenty-first century. Carol Ann Duffy was a poetry critic for The Guardian before she penned the forty-six-line poem for the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. She also published The 12 Days of Christmas (2009). Duffy was named poet laureate in 2009, ending four-hundred years of male domination. The British author J.K. Rowling (1965– ) wrote the seven novels in her famous Harry Potter series while living in Edinburgh, Scotland. The novels, which were made into movies, were originally published from 1997 to 2007. She added an eighth work to the series, a play, in 2016. The work first appeared on stage in London's West End at the Palace Theatre on July 30, 2016 and travelled across the Atlantic to stage in the United States in 2018, first appearing Lyric Theatre in New York. The Broadway production received ten nominations and won six awards, including Best Play at the Tony Awards in 2018.
Bibliography
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