The English Renaissance 1485 1660 th 14 Century

The English Renaissance 1485 -1660

th 14 Century, Italy European Renaissance Period Begins Renaissance = “Rebirth”

Medieval World View Religion and the Afterlife Rural self-sustaining system based in farms and villages

Renaissance World View International Trading Economy Stress Human Life here on Earth

New emphasis on individual and development of human potential l. Cultivating innate talents to the fullest Arts and Literature flourishes

Questioning Time worn truths and challenging authority

English After 1485 when the War of the Roses ended and Henry VII came to power

Henry VII Built up the nation’s merchant fleet Financed expeditions that established English claims in the New World

Henry VIII Succeeds throne in 1509 Skilled athlete, poet, musician Well educated in French, Italian, and Latin

…marries Princess Catherine of Spain After 18 years of marriage, only 1 daughter: Mary WANTS A MALE HEIR!!

Requests to have marriage annulled to marry Catherine’s court attendant, Anne Boleyn

…marries Anne Boleyn Breaks from Roman Catholic Church because Pope refuses 1534 – declares himself head of the Church of England

Those opposed – paid with their lives Dissolved English monasteries and distributed their landholdings

Continued … Anne Boleyn produces ONLY 1 Daughter, Elizabeth She’s charged and executed for adultery and incest

…marries Jane Seymour She produces one son Edward VI Edward dies at age of 9 in 1547

Mary takes the throne Tries to reintroduce Roman Catholicism Marries cousin Philip of Spain and persecutes Protestants =Bloody Mary Dies in 1558

Elizabeth I takes throne English Renaissance reached its full potential l. Unprecedented prosperity and international prestige

Elizabeth loved pomp and ceremony but was frugal and balanced national budget. Absolute authority but sensitive to public opinion and respectful of parliament

Continued … Reestablished Church of England Elizabeth kept England out of wars and ended Spanish alliance Never married

Renaissance drama flourishes during this time: drama concerned with the complexities of human life here on earth 1603 Elizabeth dies

King James I and King Charles (1625) Belief in the divine right of kings: l. God’s representatives in civil and religious matters

1629 - Charles dismisses Parliament = Operating without trial by jury l. Deepening of religious, political and economic unrest

Civil war – l. Royalists vs. Parliament 1649 King executed (Royalists defeated)

Afterwards English Theaters closed Most forms of recreation suspended Even walking for pleasure is forbidden 1660 = New Parliament, Charles II to throne, RESTORATION PERIOD begins

POETRY OF RENAISSANCE

Lyric Poems Written to be sung Purpose was to express the author’s feelings

Pastoral Verse Represents an idealized picture of nature and rural life

Metaphysical Poetry Uses unusual imagery and elaborate metaphors (conceits)

Epic Poetry Examples: l. Paradise Lost by John Milton l. The Odyssey

Literary Terms Rhyme scheme Simile Tone Alliteration Stanzas Mood Paraphrasing