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The English Renaissance: Celebrating Humanity

The English Renaissance: Celebrating Humanity. 1485-1625. Life in Elizabethan and Jacobean England. London expanded greatly as a city. People moved in from rural areas and from other European countries. Busy and crowded; lots of commerce, craftsmen. Strict class system.

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The English Renaissance: Celebrating Humanity

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  1. The English Renaissance:Celebrating Humanity 1485-1625

  2. Life in Elizabethan and Jacobean England London expanded greatly as a city People moved in from rural areas and from other European countries Busy and crowded; lots of commerce, craftsmen Strict class system Not a clean or safe city—“The Thames was a beautiful sewer” (224) and disease and criminals ran rampant Grew into substantial port and admired European city Southwark: suburb known for its “vice” – theaters, gaming, prostitution, etc.

  3. Renaissance= rebirth • Rebirth of: • interest in learning, especially that of ancient Greece and Rome • civilization in general • arts and sciences Reaction to “Dark Ages” of medieval Europe

  4. Historically speaking… UK represent! Exploration by sea: John Cabot, 1497 Religious rifts: New sense of nationalism prompted many to question ethics in and teachings of Church Questioning of Papal authority and Scripture Erasmus (Dutch) – version of New Testament Thomas More – Utopia Protestant Reformation sparked by Martin Luther’s 95 theses

  5. The Monarchy: strengthening themselves and the nation Henry VII: • Catholic • Restorer of national economy and prestige of • monarchy Henry VIII: • Catholic, at first… • Supports Pope against religious dissenters (“Defender of • the Faith”) • But… • Church’s refusal to annul his marriage leads him to break from Catholic faith • Dissolves Church ownership of property, monasteries • Has Thomas More executed for refusing to renounce Catholic faith • Marries 6 times • Fathers Elizabeth and Mary; has a son, Edward, with his 3rd wife, Jane Seymour

  6. More bangin’ Tudor action… Edward, Henry VIII’s son, rules from the ages of 9-15 (whatever; that’s like a 7th grader ruling your country) • Parliament drastically changes religious practices • English replaces Latin • Book of Common Prayer required in public worship England is on its way to becoming a Protestant nation until… We’re back, baby! Mary I takes throne • Restores Roman practices to Church of England • Restores authority of Pope over English Church • Known as “Bloody Mary” for ordering execution of about 300 Protestants And I could use a drink. Make it a…hmm… Mary rules for 5 years, and then…

  7. Cate BlanchettElizabeth I takes the throne! • Classically educated; patron of the arts • Reinstated monarch’s rule over Church of England, ending religious turmoil • Established climate of religious compromise • Known as one of the best rulers in English history • Spoiler alert! Dies in 1603 Hey, I wonder if that’s where they got the name for the Elizabethan period… Elizabeth… arrgh… The Mary Stuart problem: • Catholics considered Mary Stuart, Queen of Scotland, rightful heir to throne of England (marriage annulment issues) • Imprisoned by cousin, Elizabeth, for 18 years • Hatched numerous Catholic plots against her • Elizabeth let her live, punished Catholics • Parliament insisted on beheading Mary in 1587 I rule! (literally and figuratively)

  8. Life after Elizabeth…the Stuarts James I (well, James VI of Scotland, but James I of England) • Son of Mary Stuart • Named by Elizabeth as her successor • Protestant • “Jacobean” era (from Latin for James) • Expanded England’s position as world power (colony in VA) • Believed in “divine right” of monarchs • Power struggles with Parliament • Persecuted Puritans (who migrated to Plymouth Colony) Hey, I wonder if that’s where they got the name for Jamestown… Smell you later, Jimmy! I may have divine right, but this outfit is just wrong…

  9. Finally, the good stuff… Renaissance Poetry Lyric over narrative poetry • Sonnet cycle: A series of sonnets, usually fit loosely together to form a story • Heavy hitters: Philip Sidney, Edmund Spenser, Shakespeare • Two major rhyme schemes: Petrarchan/Italian and Shakespearean • Shakespearean rhyme scheme: abab, cdcd, efef, gg Psst! Lyric poem: a short poem with one speaker (not necessarily the poet) who expresses thought and feeling. Sonnets! Yeah! Psst! Sonnet: 14 lines, iambic pentameter, various rhyme schemes. Word! Many sonnets consist of 8 lines setting up one idea, 4 lines responding to that idea, and a concluding couplet at the end. Rock and roll!

  10. Pastoral poetry • Idealized rustic simplicity of rural life • Heavy hitters: Christopher Marlowe and Sir Walter Raleigh I’m a poet, soldier, explorer, historian and member of the Royal Court. Phew! It’s tiring being a true Renaissance man! Hey, I wonder if that’s where they got the name for Raleigh, NC…

  11. Renaissance Drama Turned away from religious focus and toward classical Greek and Roman tragedies and dramas Christopher Marlowe: First major dramatist (1580s) Shakespeare (1564-1616) • Started as actor • Famous playwright by 1592 • 37 Plays: most can be categorized as tragedy, comedy, or history • Deep understanding of what it means to be human helps maintain popularity People say that if I’d lived past 30 I might have eclipsed Shakespeare as England’s greatest playwright! Dang! And I might have gotten credit for stuff you wrote! Too bad, suckah!

  12. Renaissance Prose Which is the more satisfying bacon: pioneering English author or tasty breakfast meat? Not as popular as poetry Heavy hitters: Sidney, Raleigh and Thomas Nashe Sir Francis Bacon: essays, science, philosophy King James Bible • Translated Latin Bible into English • Huge achievement—probably most important in English Renaissance • 54 scholars worked 7 years! • Influential, used to this day

  13. 1485: Thomas More publishes Utopia 1534: Church of England established 1535: Thomas More executed 1549: The Book of Common Prayer issued 1558: Elizabeth I becomes Queen 1563: 20,000 Londoners die in Plague 1564: Shakespeare is born! Important Dates

  14. 1594: Shakespeare writes Romeo and Juliet 1599: The Globe Theater opens 1603: Queen Elizabeth I dies; James I becomes King of England. 1606: Guy Fawkes executed for Gunpowder Plot 1607: Royal Colony of Jamestown established 1611: King James Bible published 1620: Pilgrims land on Plymouth Rock 1625: King James I dies. Important Dates (Cont.)

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