ENGLISH RENAISSANCE British Literature

HISTORICAL CONTEXT  War of Roses ends in 1485 and political stability arises.  England grows to be one of the world’s great powers.  Printing press helps stabilize English as a language and allows more people to read a variety of literature.  Economy changes from farm-based to one of international trade.  1492 – Columbus’s discovery of the new world  1497 – John Cabot reaches Newfoundland and laid the basis for future English claims in North America.

PROTESTANT REFORMATION  With the increasing sense of nationalism, comes increasing commercial expansion, but it leads to questioning the Roman Catholic Church and their Universal Authority.  In 1517 Martin Luther nails his 95 theses to the door and it divides the church. Protestantism is introduced.

THE RENAISSANCE  It starts in Italy and hits England last (most of the leading figures of the Renaissance are Italian.)  Thirst for Knowledge – great burst for exploration. Routes open to Asia and Italy monopolizes trade Development of compass and astronomy leads navigators far and wide.  “Renaissance Man” – a person of broad education and interests whose curiosity knew no bounds

TWO DYNASTIES  Tudors: 1485 – 1603  Henry VII – rebuilt a nation ravaged by Civil War  Henry VIII – broke with Catholic Church  Edward VI – Replaced Latin with English in Church Rituals.  Mary I – “Bloody Mary” ordered the prosecution of protestants and restored Catholic practices  Elizabeth I – One of the most able monarchs and put an end to religious turmoil

TWO DYNASTIES  Stuarts – came to power when Elizabeth dies  James I – established Jamestown, Virginia.

CONTENT  World view shifts from religion and after life to one stressing the human life on earth  Popular Themes: development of human potential and many aspects of love explored:  Aspects of Love Unrequited love Constant Love Timeless Love Courtly Love

 Poetry : The sonnet  Metaphysical Poetry = elaborate and unexpected metaphors called conceits STYLE/GENRE Drama  Written in verse with vivid imagery  Supported by royalty  Tragedies, comedies, and histories  Turned away from religion

EFFECTS  Explosion of culture: New Mansions, new hymns, painters and sculptors Growth of English educational institutions.  English Renaissance moved England out of Medieval past into the Modern World.

POETRY

PASTORAL POETRY  Is a lyric poem that celebrates the beauty and pleasures of country life. As the word “lyric” suggests, it may have some characteristics of a song. Often brief, and written in rhymed verse with a pronounced rhythm.  Expresses personal thoughts and feelings.  The speaker is usually a shepherd.

PASTORAL POETRY CONT.  He either address or speaks about a shepherdess or maiden with whom he is in love.  World of nature is idealized.  Goodness and happiness of a life in harmony with such a world are valued above all else.

IAMBIC PENTAMETER  Blank verse is composed of unrhymed lines of IAMBIC PENTAMETER. Iambic Pentameter has five feet, or beats, per line and every other syllable is stressed. U / U / U / U / U / Your face my thane, is as a book where men U / U / U / U / U / May read strange manners. To beguile the time.

ITALIAN/PETRARCHAN SONNETS  Poem length: 14 lines  Rhyme Scheme: Abba abba cde cde (the rhyme scheme of the sestet is flexible)  Line Division: Octet followed by a sestet  Other info: Iambic pentameter  Other info: The turn or the “volta” is the essential element of a sonnet.

SHAKESPEAREAN SONNETS  Poem length: 14 lines  Rhyme scheme: abab cdcd efef gg  Line divisions: 3 quatrains and a rhyming couplet  Other info: They usually present a problem or premise in the first 12 lines and offer a solution or conclusion (sometimes a statement of theme) in a final couplet  Other info: Iambic pentameter

SPENSERIAN SONNETS  Poem length: 14 lines  Rhyme scheme: Abab bcbc cdcd ee  Line division: There is no break between the octave and the sestet  Other info: Spenserian stanza consists of nine lines, the first eight of which are in iambic pentameter. The ninth line has two additional syllables and is called an alexandrine.

POETRY  A couplet is two lines that rhyme and have the same meter  A quatrain is a 4 line stanza, usually with alternate rhymes  A sestet is a six line stanza  An octet is an eight line stanza