The history of storytelling

Literature evolved many, many moons ago, starting as verbal stories told to make sense of the world. Early stories were psychologically important to tribes and families, who began to apply reasoning to the things they had come across, as well as introducing folklore and mythology to the situations there was no clear explanation for.

Some stories still have the same purpose as those from aeons ago – to share important information or to learn about certain dangers – and other formats have emerged to bolster its influence on us. The written empire affects every industry and every single person in the world: but how did it all begin – and where will it go next?

The ancient beginnings of literature

All cultures have their fair share of stories – for many, storytelling began orally, but there are also records of ‘written’ stories emerging from deciphering cave paintings. These would consist of humans, animals and other objects important to the early humans inhabiting the Earth.

One of the oldest surviving works of literature is The Epic of Gilgamesh – composed in ancient Mesopotamia, this book covers many key aspects of life such as the inevitability of death and love. Other early works include the ancient Indian epics Ramayana and Mahabharata, or even the Egyptian Palmero Stone, written in hieroglyphics. Egyptians are thought to be the main pioneers of the written word, fashioning pens out of reeds and carving symbols into clay.

These early stories were intrinsic in preserving the collective wisdom and experiences of early societies, who left their mark on the world for centuries to come. A lot of the found artefacts from this time are even examples of early accounting records, which is fascinating as written records were being created extremely early on.

The classical era and mythology

The classical era was hugely reformational in terms of literary history, which included the writings of renowned philosophers like Homer, Virgil, Ovid and Sophocles. This work was seen as the benchmark of intellectualism, and studying their texts at the time was indicative of elite education.

Classical forms included epics, lyrical works, tragedy, comedy and many others, which were performed as plays to entertain wide audiences. Perhaps the most closely associated with classical writing are epics such as Homer’s Odyssey laid the foundation for narrative storytelling to emerge, or tragedies like Euripides’ Medea explored profound themes like fate, death and what it means to be human. 

The mediaeval period of literature

The mediaeval period of literature was pockmarked by an unstable society dealing with war, religion, and societal upheaval. Europe gave the world hugely popular stories like the epic tale of Beowulf and Dante’s Divine Comedy, which illuminated the spiritual and moral dilemmas that come with existence.

There was so much literature coming from the mediaeval period – featuring religion, romance and drama in response to the tumultuous events at the time. Many other settlements were dealing with similar issues, leading to The Thousand and One Nights, and many poetic forms based around romance to arise. Additionally, printed literature was possible, evidenced by the finding of a block-printed copy of The Diamond Sutra – the earliest printed book in existence.

Renaissance and enlightenment eras

With the dawn of the Renaissance came a revival of classical learning and a reawakening of human creativity. The spotlight had shifted back to the glory days of the classical era, so many writers tried to emulate similar themes and styles. Shakespeare, Milton and other writers began exploring themes of love, power and the complex nature of the human psyche.

The Enlightenment era challenged societal norms and advocated for the freedom of thought and expression. Metaphysical writing, which included conceits (extended metaphor) formed the basis of thinly-veiled alternate meanings in writing, so authors could speak their minds through their characters or settings – and hopefully get away with it!

Development of romanticism and realism

The 19th century ushered in the clash between the ideals of Romanticism and the reality of urban industrialisation. People living during the time wanted escapism from the turbulent upheaval they were facing, leading to Romantic poets like William Wordsworth celebrating the beauty of nature – whilst novelists like Jane Austen and Charles Dickens wrote about the struggles of ordinary people in the rapidly changing landscape.

Realism emerged from this eclectic atmosphere, bringing the spotlight onto everyday life and social issues – prevalent in writers like Tolstoy and Dostoevsky. Their unflinching, gritty stories delved into the depths of human experience, and provided authentic and relatable tales for both the audience at the time and modern readers.

Contemporary and modern writing

In the 20th and 21st centuries, literature still continues to evolve and diversify, reflecting the revolving complexities of modern life. Experimentation and modernist ideals are at the forefront of many texts from this period, with authors like Salman Rushdie, Toni Morrison and Virginia Woolf.

Globalisation and technology continue to further expand the horizons of literature, allowing for writers and readers to be connected across cultures. With the integration of writing and artificial intelligence – even for business purposes – the scope of writing is being expanded to include immersive storytelling experiences.

The future of writing?

Although impossible to imagine, with technology facing new developments constantly, interactive narratives customised to individuals may become the norm, offering readers unprecedented levels of engagement and personalisation. Global connectivity and a diverse community is best for creating dynamic narratives, which is already found in our increasingly interconnected world.