Literature & writing though obviously connected are not synonymous. The very first writings from ancient Sumer by any reasonable definition do not constitute literature; the same is true of some of the early hieroglyphics or the thousands of logs from ancient Chinese regimes. Scholars have already disagreed concerning when written record keeping became more like “literature” than anything else; the definition is largely subjective.      Many texts handed down by oral tradition over several centuries before they were fixed in written form are difficult or impossible to date. The core of the Rig-Veda may date to the mid second millennium BC. Homer’s Illiad & Odyssey date to the eighth century BC & mark the beginning of classical antiquity. They also stand in oral tradition that stretches back to the late Bronze Age.       English Literature is the literature written in English language, including literature composed in English by wri Scholarships for High School Seniors ters not necessarily from England. In other words English Literature is as diverse as the varieties & dialects of English spoken around the world.      Despite the variety of authors of English Literature, the works of William Shakespeare remain paramount through out the English speaking world.The first works in English written in old English appeared in the early middle ages (the oldest text is Caedmon’s Hymn). The oral tradition was very strong in the early English culture & most literary works were written to be performed. Epic poems were thus very popular & many, including Beowulf have survived to the present day in which corpus of Anglo Saxon Literature that closely resemble today’s Norwegian, Northumbrian & Scots English dialects of modern English.     In the 12th century, a new form of English now known as Middle English evolved. This is the earliest form of English literature which is comprehensible to modern readers & listeners.