THE ENGLISH RENAISSANCE1485-1660

WHAT IS RENAISSANCE? Renaissance = rebirth Began in Italy in the 14th Century (1300s) Complete role reversal:

Medieval World View: Religion and the AfterlifeFeudalism (Serfs, barons, kings)Chivalry (Code of Honor for knights)Universities begin to gain holdMen protect women by going on Crusades

Renaissance World View:Human Life on EarthArts and literatureBeauty of natureCelebrate human impulsesNew interest in master/exploration of the world.Focus on Greek and Roman PhilosophersFocus on individual; questioning of medieval truths“Renaissance Man”

WHO WAS IN CHARGE?

Henry VII (Henry Tudor), 1485-1509: good with commercial treaties, new world exploration, relationship with Spain

Henry VIII, 1509-1547: true renaissance man; obsessed with having a son. Kept killing his wives. Broke with church; he became head of Anglican Church.

Edward VI, 1547-1553: Sickly, focus on Protestantism

WHO WAS IN CHARGE? (CONTINUED) Mary (Bloody Mary), 1553-1558:

Unpopular return to Catholicism, persecuted Protestants

Elizabeth I, 1558-1603: Prosperity and international prestige. Excellent politician – both in respect to public opinion and political alliances. Calmed fight between Protestants and Catholics. Never married, encouraged overseas exploration. Well-loved and respected.

LITERATURE IN THE RENAISSANCE

1400s – Great Vowel Shift Final “e” on words no longer pronounced

Use of thou, thine, thee, thy (familiar) and you, your, yours (formal)

Second person singular verb ending “est” “Thou leadest”

Third person singular verb ending “eth” “She looketh”

Fewer helping verbs than today “Saw you the stars?”

Printing press helped somewhat stabilize pronunciation Use of Greek and Latin roots emerged Borrowing and creating new words (from other languages;

Shakespeare coined over 2000)

ELIZABETH’S REIGN AND LITERATURE Height of British Renaissance Sonnet gained popularity as love poem Renaissance Drama: Concerned with the

human condition (movement away from religious tones of medieval drama) Plays accessible to all (think The Globe) Plays written in verse Most plays either tragedies (end with hero’s

downfall) or comedies (happy ending; usually in regards to love/marriage)

THE OUTSIDE OF THE GLOBE

INSIDE THE GLOBE