The English The English RenaissanceRenaissance
1485-16251485-1625
What is the Renaissance?What is the Renaissance?
► French word: “rebirth” or “renewal”French word: “rebirth” or “renewal”► Began in ItalyBegan in Italy► Return to studying ancient texts…Return to studying ancient texts…
GreeceGreece RomeRome
What made the Renaissance?What made the Renaissance?
► Interest in humansInterest in humans► Introduction of universitiesIntroduction of universities► Gutenberg and moveable printGutenberg and moveable print► Use of vernacularUse of vernacular► Age of ExplorationAge of Exploration► ReformationReformation
How do the How do the ideas of the ideas of the Reformation Reformation
arrive in arrive in England?England?
Arrival of Reformation in Arrival of Reformation in EnglandEngland
► Henry VIIIHenry VIII Originally, CatholicOriginally, Catholic Wanted divorce …Wanted divorce … Refused!Refused! RemarriesRemarries King becomes King becomes
religious leader of religious leader of EnglandEngland
Break with RomeBreak with Rome
The TudorsThe Tudors
► Edward VIEdward VI Only surviving son of Henry VIIIOnly surviving son of Henry VIII Becomes king…Becomes king… Then diesThen dies
The TudorsThe Tudors
► Mary I (“Bloody Mary”)Mary I (“Bloody Mary”) Roman CatholicRoman Catholic
► What are the implications for her rule?What are the implications for her rule? Restore authority of Roman churchRestore authority of Roman church Return England to Catholic countryReturn England to Catholic country Oppression of ProtestantsOppression of Protestants
The TudorsThe Tudors
► Elizabeth IElizabeth I Educated during RenaissanceEducated during Renaissance Unity under Protestant ReligionUnity under Protestant Religion Friend of the ArtsFriend of the Arts
Let’s Review…Let’s Review…
► What connections are there between What connections are there between the three rulers:the three rulers: Henry VIIIHenry VIII Mary IMary I Elizabeth IElizabeth I
► What would be the difficulties each What would be the difficulties each ruler faced when ascending the throne?ruler faced when ascending the throne?
► What would this mean for the society?What would this mean for the society?
What does this What does this have to do with have to do with
literature?literature?
Renaissance in LiteratureRenaissance in Literature
► New developments in three areas:New developments in three areas: PoetryPoetry ProseProse DramaDrama
Renaissance PoetryRenaissance Poetry
► Lyric poetry:Lyric poetry: Not a full storyNot a full story Single speakerSingle speaker
► Sonnets and sonnet cyclesSonnets and sonnet cycles Sonnets: 14-lined lyric poemSonnets: 14-lined lyric poem Sonnet cycle: Group of sonnets on single Sonnet cycle: Group of sonnets on single
themetheme
Renaissance PoetsRenaissance Poets
► Philip SydneyPhilip Sydney Sonnet cycles (Sonnet cycles (十四行组诗十四行组诗 )) Key to shaping sonnet formKey to shaping sonnet form
► Edmund SpenserEdmund Spenser Epic poem Epic poem （叙事诗）（叙事诗） The Faerie Queen The Faerie Queen
（（《《仙后仙后》》）） Spenserian stanzas: nine-line unitsSpenserian stanzas: nine-line units
Renaissance PoetsRenaissance Poets
► Christopher MarloweChristopher Marlowe PlaywrightPlaywright Lyric poetLyric poet Pastoral verse: looking at the country lifePastoral verse: looking at the country life
► William ShakespeareWilliam Shakespeare PlaywrightPlaywright English sonnet/Shakespeare sonnetEnglish sonnet/Shakespeare sonnet
Elizabethan Drama and ProseElizabethan Drama and Prose
► No longer religiousNo longer religious► References to ancient textsReferences to ancient texts► Drama written in verseDrama written in verse► King James BibleKing James Bible
