Elizabethan Literature Introduction ENGL 3330

Contents Historical Context Renaissance Period Reformation Period Elizabethan Period Literature in the Elizabethan Era Main Literary Genres Key Figures and Works Shakespeare and His Globe

Historical Context The second half of the 15th century and the 16th century were a turbulent age in English history. In the 15th century The Wars of the Roses, between two aristocratic houses, of York and of Lancaster, ended with the victory of the Lancaster family, when their distant cousin, Henry Tudor, claimed the throne. He was crowned as Henry VII, starting the Tudor dynasty. Throughout the Tudor reign, England constantly fought with its continental neighbors. The old aristocracy lost most of its wealth and power in the Wars of the Roses, so Henry VIII in the 16th century, began giving titles to people from the middle class, making the new aristocracy, faithful to the king above all else. .

Historical Context The communications revolution, started with the printing press by the German Johannes Gutenberg around 1440, resulted in the fact that in 1600 nearly half of the population had some kind of literacy. The spirit of the Renaissance began to show in England. The rising middle class had access to education, could read and write in their mother tongue, instead of Latin. In the 1530s, Henry VIII broke with Rome. So in the 16th century, there happened 3 influential historical developments: the Renaissance, the Reformation, and the emergence of England as a maritime power.

The Renaissance (1485-1660) brought back interest in Greek - Latin values-Italian art "Renaissance," or "rebirth," perfectly describes the intellectual and economic changes that occurred in Europe from the fourteenth through the sixteenth centuries. During this era, Europe emerged from the economic stagnation of the Middle Ages and experienced a time of financial growth. Also, and perhaps most importantly, the Renaissance was an age in which artistic, social, scientific, and political thought turned in to new directions

The Renaissance (1485-1660) brought back interest in Greek - Latin values-Italian art “Renaissance” also means rebirth of interest in the Greek and Latin classics Emphasis on humanistic education Focus on the individual and a concern with the fullest possible cultivation of human potential through proper education; focus on individual consciousness and the Interior mind Concern with the refinement of the language and the development of a national literature

Reformation Religion was an important part of Elizabethan life. The rise of Puritanism and the acceptance of Protestant Reformation took a toll on the Elizabethan era. The Roman Catholic church had been outlawed and several laws and provisions were made that dealt with church and religion. It was illegal to attend a Catholic service. People were fined if they did so. People had to attend the church (Church of England) service at least once a month. All festivals were held based on the church calendar Puritans are group of Reformed Protestants who sought to purify the church of England and they claimed that the “Church of England was only partially reformed.” The result was their exile.

The Elizabethan Period: the reign of Elizabeth I, 1586-1603 Queen Elizabeth I never married but had several gentlemen in the court that were loyal to her. Queen Elizabeth dies on 24 March 1603 of blood poisoning With Queen Elizabeth's ascension to the throne came a number of important milestones, the first being the circumnavigation of the globe by Sir Francis Drake from 1577 to 1580. Not long after, in 1588, England defeated the Spanish Armada and proved itself to be a leading naval power, a reputation that would last for quite some time. As England began a new century, it led the world in international trade and was at the forefront of the colonization race. It was during this time that the queen helped to secure and establish the Church of England. London was the center of it all. From culture to finance, people flocked to the city to enjoy the booming economy. Nationalism was on the rise and there was growth in cultural development. At the heart of it all was Elizabethan literature.

The Elizabethan Period: the reign of Elizabeth I, 1586-1603 England and Spain expand and economy changes from farm-based to one of international trade Elizabethan times were violent and England had diverse enemies, Scottish and Irish plotted against her, Spain attacked England on the seas. The Queen expanded her territory and managed to control her country and neighbors There was also fears of a French invasion.

The Elizabethan Period: the reign of Elizabeth I, 1586-1603 Other Prior Changes Affected the Elizabethan Era Printing press (invented in 1454) allowed more people to read a variety of literature Christopher Columbus (1492) starts a trend of trips all over the world England breaks with the church in Rome(1534)

Elizabethan literature The Elizabethan Age, also known as the English Renaissance, encompassed the reign of Queen Elizabeth I from 1558 to 1603. During the latter part of the sixteenth century and the early part of the seventeenth century, literature was plentiful in the forms of poetry, dramas, plays, and prose. The other major literary style was lyric poetry. Many of the most important dramatists of the period were also excellent poets. Some individuals cite Queen Elizabeth's love for arts as the reason literature became so popular during this time. Another factor was likely the invention of the printing press in 1476, making literature more accessible to the growing, affluent middle class.

Elizabethan Literature This historic period introduced the world to great writers as William Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe. Sonnets, Spenserian stanzas, and blank verse began during these years— styles that would influence writers throughout the world. Although early Elizabethan literature was written in Latin, English soon became the preferred language of expression. The arts were thriving, but there were other historic events that helped to define England during these years, too. Despite witnessing the spread of different forms of literary writings, Elizabethan Age was known as the golden age of drama.

Main Literary Genres A-Poetry The sonnet Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, wrote sonnets in imitation of Petrarchan and developed the English sonnet form that Shakespeare later used, with 14 lines, divided into 3 quatrains and a couplet. Metaphysical poetry: a type of poetry characterized by A- elaborate and unexpected metaphors called conceits which include, strange analogies in which the relationship between the vehicle and the tuner is very remote and unexpected. It depends on witty use of ideas and language by which a poet yokes two heterogeneous ideas. B- reflections of the uncertainty of the age at which many scientific theories started to change C- argumentative poetry and man’s relation to God was skeptically considered. D- Strange heterogeneous ideas. E- imagery from the emergent sciences F- unexpected beginning and harsh lyrical tone

Main Literary Genres B- Drama The first great dramatist of the time was Christopher Marlowe. Some of his tragedies, such as Tamburlaine the Great and The Jew of Malta, are violent and bloody. But others, like Dr. Faustus and Edward the Second, set an example for other Elizabethan dramatists in the use of powerful blank verse and the development of characters to heighten the sense of tragedy. Shakespeare in particular was influenced by Marlowe in writing the historical plays.

Main Literary Genres B- Drama written in verse supported by royalty tragedies, comedies, histories, and tragicomedy (newly invented) Shakespeare and Marlowe wrote plays in blank verse (unrhymed iambic pentameter poetry) The main kinds of drama were: -Historical (Marlowe – Shakespeare) -Tragic (revenge tragedy –Marlowe, Shakespeare) -Comic (city comedy – B.Jonson) -Romantic (Shakespeare) -Newly emerged kind, tragicomedy (William Shakespeare)

Key Figures and Works A plethora of artists expressed themselves during this era, but some, like Richard Hooker, left marks that would continue to influence the world hundreds of years later. Hooker, an Anglican theologian, wrote Of the Laws of Ecclesiastical Polity, an eight-volume work written in about 1594 that both explains and defends the concept of Anglican religion. This was and still is such an important piece that seminaries all over the world require students to read it. The Faerie Queene is Edmund Spenser's major contribution to Elizabethan literature. This long symbolic work ties in to the legend of King Arthur; however, it goes beyond just the story of the King. Spenser's epic poem also ties in to the concept of Christian values. The Faerie Queene, written in what came to be known as the Spenserian stanza, is still the longest epic poem in the English language. This work of poetry, begun around 1580, defined the age and influenced some of the world's greatest writers.

Key Figures and Works con. Sir Philip Sidney brought the Italian sonnet form to the people of England. Among his other accomplishments, Sidney wrote The Defence of Poesie, a work of literary criticism published posthumously in 1595 that helped to explain the thinking of the era. Controversial in topic, The Defence of Poesie stresses the importance of art and even goes so far as to state that poetry is more effective than history or philosophy in inspiring virtue in its readers. Other key figures are: - William Shakespeare - Thomas Wyatt - Ben Jonson - Christopher Marlowe - Andrew Marvell - Robert Herrick

Key Figures and Works con. Another famous author, Christopher Marlowe, wrote Doctor Faustus, a work that many would question based on its intertwining of religion and morality. In Dr. Faustus, which was named and based on a German legend, the main character learns all he possibly can. He is a theologian, an orator, a master scientist, a politician, and a tactician; however, he still feels incomplete and searches for more knowledge. Faustus makes a deal with the devil and, in giving up his soul, gains infinite knowledge. Doctor Faustus ,written about 1592, may be Marlowe's best-known work; however, he is also credited with the invention of blank verse, a type of poetry that is written in unrhymed iambic pentameter. His poems, like "The Passionate Shepherd to His Love," help to explore the common theme of "invitation-to-love," seen in quite a few Elizabethan pieces, including Shakespeare's Othello. Marlowe died young, but many reports compare his writing to that of Shakespeare; some scholars even say that if Marlowe had lived longer, Shakespeare may not have become the face of Elizabethan literature.

End of the Introduction