1. The Renaissance 1485 – 1625 Rebirth of Knowledge

2. Medieval v. Renaissance Art

3. The Renaissance 1485 – 1625 “ Rebirth” of classical knowledge “ Rebirth” of classical knowledge Greek and Roman “arts” Greek and Roman “arts” Begun in and moved north from Italy. Begun in and moved north from Italy. Unleashed new ideas and new social, political, and economic forces. Unleashed new ideas and new social, political, and economic forces. Displaced the spiritual and communal values of the Middle Ages. Displaced the spiritual and communal values of the Middle Ages.

4. The Renaissance English Renaissance took the form of a spiritual and intellectual orientation known as Humanism (“humans must determine truth”). English Renaissance took the form of a spiritual and intellectual orientation known as Humanism (“humans must determine truth”). Changed the curriculum of higher education. Changed the curriculum of higher education. Medieval – emphasized skills for diplomacy and the church (Latin, rhetoric, grammar, music, etc.) Medieval – emphasized skills for diplomacy and the church (Latin, rhetoric, grammar, music, etc.) Renaissance – shifted to general acquisition of “literature” (literacy and cultural knowledge). Renaissance – shifted to general acquisition of “literature” (literacy and cultural knowledge).

5. English Renaissance Tudor Dynasty – strong central authority; patrons of arts and sciences. Tudor Dynasty – strong central authority; patrons of arts and sciences. Royal court was the center of culture. Royal court was the center of culture. Fostered an atmosphere of paranoia: Fostered an atmosphere of paranoia: Putting words to paper could be dangerous. Putting words to paper could be dangerous. Courtiers became skilled at crafting and deciphering words with multiple meanings. Courtiers became skilled at crafting and deciphering words with multiple meanings.

6. English Renaissance English language had no prestige abroad. English language had no prestige abroad. By 1600, transformed into an powerful expressive medium. By 1600, transformed into an powerful expressive medium. Advances by Gutenburg and Caxton increased literacy. Advances by Gutenburg and Caxton increased literacy. From early 14 th to early 15 th century, literacy doubled to 60%. From early 14 th to early 15 th century, literacy doubled to 60%. Writers had no copyrights; works sold directly to publishers. Writers had no copyrights; works sold directly to publishers.

7. English Renaissance Reformation split church – Protestant / Catholic. Reformation split church – Protestant / Catholic. Reformation urged a personal experience with the text of the Bible. Reformation urged a personal experience with the text of the Bible. Led to greater literacy and reflection. Led to greater literacy and reflection.

8. Renaissance Literature Product of the rhetorical culture: Product of the rhetorical culture: Steeped in the arts of persuasion Steeped in the arts of persuasion Trained to process complex verbal signals Trained to process complex verbal signals Delighted in order and patterns combined with an interest in the heart and mind. Delighted in order and patterns combined with an interest in the heart and mind. “Poetry has a magical power to create perfect, moral worlds” “Poetry has a magical power to create perfect, moral worlds”

9. The Sonnet Most popular form of poetry in Renaissance Most popular form of poetry in Renaissance Lyric Poem; usually about ideal love Lyric Poem; usually about ideal love Highly stylized – every syllable counts Highly stylized – every syllable counts Meter: Iambic Pentameter Meter: Iambic Pentameter Rhyme Scheme: Petrarchan or Spenserian Rhyme Scheme: Petrarchan or Spenserian Petrarchan/Italian – first form: ABBA ABBA CDDC EE Petrarchan/Italian – first form: ABBA ABBA CDDC EE Octet – First 8 lines, sets up the story Octet – First 8 lines, sets up the story Sestet – Second 6 lines, tells feelings / actions / outcomes Sestet – Second 6 lines, tells feelings / actions / outcomes Adapted by Shakespeare to form English sonnet: ABAB CDCD EFEF GG Adapted by Shakespeare to form English sonnet: ABAB CDCD EFEF GG