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The Renaissance: 1485-1660

Period of changeSociety was restructured economically and politicallyGreatest literature of the period grew out of these changesEnglish developed into the modern language we know today

Renaissance = rebirth

Began in Italy during the 14th centuryRebirth of intellectual and artistic energies that characterized ancient Greece and RomeBy 1500, writings in Greek, Latin and Italian were printed in movable type in England

Renaissance

Italian writers: Petrarch and BoccaccioHumanism – emphasizes capacities of human mind, achievements of human cultureTime of exploration, expansion & discovery

Columbus, colonialism

Art and achievementover God

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Renaissance Slow to Arrive

Mostly political reasons15th cent – Renaissance flourished in Italy but political instability ravished EnglandWar of the Roses (mid to late 1400s)

Moveable type had just been introduced in England when Henry Tudor defeated Richard III….Henry VII establishes Tudor dynastyHenry VIII succeeded his father, wanted credit for helping Humanism take off in England

Early Renaissance

Henry VIIIEncouraged arts…Sit Thomas MoreIgnored Protestant Reformation except for selfish gain

Declared himself Supreme Head of the Church of EnglandDivorce…kept mass, doctrine, ritualsSir Thomas More - executed

Early Renaissance

Henry VIII’s death led to advancement of Protestantism by child king Edward VI

Died young, throne went to older sister, MaryBloody Mary (5yrs)Spanish threat

Elizabeth I25 when she became queenLed country to national unity and cultural achievementClever diplomat

Virgin QueenPiracyArmada

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Elizabethan England1558-1603

Achievement in poetry: Sir Philip Sidney & Edmund Spenser Sonnet Form (imported from Italy)Achievement in drama: movement from Mystery, Miracle & Morality plays to Shakespeare, Marlowe, JonsonArtificial as compliment, extension of artGreat Chain of Being – Elizabethan world view

Jacobean Era (1603-1625)

End of Tudor’s with rise of James Stuart. Son of Mary Queen of ScotsJames I

Political & religious unrestPuritans wanted to purify the Church of EnglandPhilosophical & scientific upheaval (Copernicus & Galileo)Literature: still flourished, especially drama

Puritan England (1625 – 1660)

James I’s son Charles ascendedAngered Puritans by marrying CatholicResulted in Civil War

King’s supporters: Cavaliers, Puritans: RoundheadsCromwell & Protectorate

Theaters closedMetaphysical poetryJonson, Sons of Ben, Cavalier poetsPuritan poetry – Milton