The English Renaissance 1485-1660. 14 th Century, Italy European Renaissance Period Begins Renaissance = “Rebirth”

The English Renaissance

1485-1660

14th Century, Italy

European Renaissance Period Begins

Renaissance = “Rebirth”

Medieval World View

Religion and the AfterlifeRural 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 potentialCultivating 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, ElizabethShe’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 CatholicismMarries cousin Philip of Spain and persecutes Protestants=Bloody Mary

Dies in 1558

Elizabeth I takes throne

English Renaissance reached its full potentialUnprecedented 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 EnglandElizabeth kept England out of wars and ended Spanish allianceNever 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:God’s representatives in civil and religious matters

1629- Charles dismisses Parliament = Operating without trial by juryDeepening of religious, political and economic unrest

Civil war – Royalists vs. Parliament

1649 King executed (Royalists defeated)

AfterwardsEnglish Theaters closedMost forms of recreation suspendedEven walking for pleasure is forbidden1660 = 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: Paradise Lost by John Milton

The Odyssey

Literary TermsRhyme schemeSimileToneAlliterationStanzasMood Paraphrasing