LECTURE 2 The Renaissance The Renaissance

LECTURE 2 The Renaissance

The Renaissance = The Revival of learning

lasted from the 15 th till the 17 th century

!!! the period when European culture reached the highest level of its development

It's the epoch of the revival of interest in ancient Greek and Roman culture, art and literature

intellect, experience, science HUMANISM

Sir Thomas More (1478 -1535)

an English lawyer social philosopher author statesman noted Renaissance humanist

born in London educated at Oxford a lawyer and became a member of Parliament was a Catholic, but fought against the Pope and the king's absolute power was thrown into the Tower of London and beheaded there as a traitor

political essay "Utopia" illustration for the 1516 first edition of Utopia

2 parts a description of the author's imaginary conversation with a traveller Raphael Hythloday 1 st part deals with Hythloday's ideas of England: its political and social evils, laws, etc 2 nd part shows an unknown land Utopia which he has seen in an unknown sea

It is an ideal republic where the top priority of everyone is being healthy and wise but not rich

The book was especially popular with the 19 th century socialists

Francis Bacon (1561 -1626)

English philosopher statesman scientist orator essayist

scientific rationalism the purpose of knowledge was "the benefit and use of man", and the method proposed was a "laborious and sober inquiry of truth"

ENGLISH vs. LATIN ? Most of his philosophy was written in Latin – in the belief that it would remain the language of international learning forever. But his essays, written in an aphoristic style were written in English

“The Advancement of learning” (published in 1605 in English) was addressed to king James I

The rise in his career was very rapid (he entered Parliament in 1584), but although he advocated truth and virtue, his public life came to an end after he was charged with taking bribes when he was a judge.

Style impresses with its logic and sense of confidence Bacon manages to reduce the complex area of human relations to a neat, schematic generalisation.

Roger Ascham (1515 -1568)

one of the most likeable of the early humanists Queen Elizabeth I's tutor

best known for his enlightened book on education, “The Schoolmaster” Style formal, without being oppressively elaborate

Queen Elizabeth I (1558 -1603)

received a broad, humanist education under the tutelage of Cambridge scholars became proficient in French, Italian, Latin, and Greek

received a broad, humanist education under the tutelage of Cambridge scholars became proficient in French, Italian, Latin, and Greek her love of literature, music, drama and dancing stayed with her until her death, and she left behind several poems as well as translations of Greek and Latin works

Women writers increase in the numbers of women writers (over one hundred works were composed or translated by Englishwomen between 1500 and 1640) prose narratives, poetry, prayers, essays, confessions, diaries, letters, prefaces, and translations subjects: religion, motherhood, social commentary

Sir Thomas Wyatt (1503 -1542)

a popular member of the court of Henry VIII (1509 -1547)

twice arrested 1) in 1536 with the fall of Anne Boleyn (Henry's second queen) 2) in 1541 with the fall of his patron, Thomas Cromwell

Style much influenced by Italian verse forms - direct and personal as though the "voice" of the poem was not only that of a "dramatic persona" - modern critics argue that T. Waytt's rhythms are deliberately rough: they give the poem's dramatic impact.

None of his poems had been published in his lifetime (except few entitled “The Court of Venus”). His first published work was “Certain Psalms” (1594). It wasn't until 1557, 15 years after T. Wyatt's death, that a number of his poems appeared. Until modern times it was called simply “Songs and Sonnets”. The rest of T. Wyatt's poetry, lyrics, and satires remained in manuscript until the 19 th and 20 th centuries "rediscovered" them.

NB: T. Wyatt is usually credited with introducing the love sonnet form into England.

Sir Philip Sidney (1554 -1586)

one of the finest of the Elizabethan sonnet cycles, “Astrophel and Stella”(1591)

“An Apology for Poetry” (published as “A Defense of Poetry”) was written in 1579

None of P. Sidney's works were published in his lifetime as he wrote for his own amusement and that of his friends and family. Despite that much of his poetry was distributed in manuscript form and some of his works were widely know within certain circles.

Edmund Spenser (1552 -1599)

E. Spenser is rather unfashionable nowadays but in his days he was thought to be the greatest English poet since G. Chauser and equal of the great classical epic poets

‘the prince of poets’

“The Shepheard's Calender”(1579), verse dialogues in a rural setting, a mixture of nature songs, satires, laments and praise of Queen Elizabeth “The Faerie Queene” (1589 -1596), an unfinished allegorical romance combining the medieval Arthurial legend with religious and Platonic idealism and political commentary “Amoretti”(1595) love sonnets in honour of his bride, Elizabeth Boyle.

Christopher Marlowe (1564 -1593)

Despite his classical learning, Ch. Marlow is thought to have been a man of violent, and at times, criminal temperament. In fact he lost his life in a quarrel over a bill in a tavern.

Style His plays are powerful, intense and frequently lyrical.

“Edward II” (1592) tells the story of the execution of the king's favourite and the subsequent murder of Edward II after his abdication. The play is full of pathos) and horror but has fewer of the broader historical and political implications of a Shakespeare play. Nevertheless, it is a fine early historical drama. “Doctor Faustus” (1588 -published 1604) is a tragedy in blank verse with some comic episodes in prose. In many aspects it resembles a medieval Morality Play, in that Faustus sacrifices his soul to the devil (Mephistopheles) in return for 24 years of life and unlimited power.