The English Renaissance 1485-1625
What is the Renaissance? French word: “rebirth” or “renewal” Began in Italy Return to studying ancient texts… Greece Rome
What made the Renaissance? Interest in humans -Humanism: intellectual movement that stressed insight and reasoning; “How do I lead a good life?” “What is a good life?” Reconciled the Bible and classical works of literature Introduction of universities Gutenberg and moveable print 1455: first book printed was a bible (Germany) 1476: reached England; William Caxton set up press Reformation
How do the ideas of the Reformation arrive in England?
Arrival of Reformation in England Started with Martin Luther (German); new Christianity based on personal understanding of the Bible Many people throughout Europe fed up with the corrupt practices of Catholic church Henry VIII Originally, Catholic Wanted divorce from Catherine of Aragon; Pope refused Breaks with Rome (1534); King becomes religious leader of England Closed all monasteries and sold the buildings/land; beheaded those who didn’t support him (Thomas More)
Henry VIII, Cont. Created the Royal Navy: put a stop to foreign invasions Son of Henry VII (Henry Tudor), who usurped the throne in 1485 Six wives
The Tudors Edward VI Only surviving son of Henry VIII Becomes king… Then dies 6 years later
The Tudors Mary I (“Bloody Mary”; daughter of Catherine of Aragon) Roman Catholic What are the implications for her rule? Wanted to avenge her mother (the wife Henry divorced and put under house arrest) Restore authority of Roman church Oppression of Protestants (burned them at the stake) No children, so succeeded by Elizabeth
The Tudors Elizabeth I (Daughter of Anne Boleyn) Educated during Renaissance Unity under Protestant Religion/ re-established the Church of England/ rejected pope’s authority Friend of the Arts Success against the Spanish Armada (1588) Celebrated by the people and within literature Survived many attempts against her life by Mary (Stuart), Queen of Scots Executed Mary when she came to England
Let’s Review… What would be the difficulties each ruler faced when ascending the throne? Henry VIII (Catholic Church; corruption) Bloody Mary (Revenge; Catholicism vs. Protestantism) Elizabeth (Kingdom torn by religious feuds)
What does this have to do with literature?
Renaissance in Literature New developments in three areas: Poetry Prose Drama
Renaissance Poets Christopher Marlowe Playwright Pastoral verse: looking at the country life Idealized terms Characters are naïve and innocent Carpe diem poem: a call to “seize the day”; earthly pleasure cannot last
Elizabethan Drama and Prose No longer religious References to ancient texts Drama written in verse King James Bible New translation of the Bible ordered by King James corrected textual inaccuracies and removed interpretive comments
Clothing of the Period
Clothing, cont.