Title: The English Renaissance
1The English Renaissance
2Key Characteristics
- Religious devotion now focuses on a persons
place here on earth rather than just the
afterlife. - Universities broaden studies to include the
humanities (history, modern languages, etc).
3Key Characteristics (2)
- The printing press was invented by Johann
Gutenburg. - More and more writers began writing in the
vernacular English.
4Major Developments
- The Age of Exploration (New World!)
- The Protestant Reformation
5Tudor Monarchs
- 1. Henry VII
- 2. Henry VIII (six wives two of whom were
beheaded) - 3. Edward VI (died at age 15)
- 4. Mary I (known as Bloody Mary)
- 5. Elizabeth I
6Stuart Monarch
- 1. James I (James VI in Scotland)
7Literature of the Era
- Poetry mainly the sonnet and lyric poetry.
- Drama came into full bloom.
- 1. Tragedies
- 2. Comedies
8Literature of the Era (2)
- Prose The most monumental prose achievement
was The Bible (King James Version), which was
commissioned to be translated into common English
by King James I.
9The Seventeenth Century
10The Seventeenth Century
- The English Renaissance is divided into two
sections - 1. The rise of England under the Tudors
- 2. The decline of England under the Stuarts.
11Stuart Monarchy
- During the Stuart monarchy there were two main
problems - 1. Religious unrest Anglican Church vs.
Puritans (Roundheads) How far should the
Reformation go?
12Stuart Monarchy (2)
- 2. Political unrest Royalists (Cavaliers) vs.
Puritans (Roundheads) - How much authority should
the monarch have? Divine Right of Kings or not?
13James I
- 1603 Elizabeth I, the last of the Tudors, died.
James I, King of Scotland, a Stuart, ascended to
the throne of England. The reign of James I
(Snotty Scot) was known as the Jacobean Age
(Jacobean the Latin version of James).
14James I (Contd)
- James I believed in the Divine Right of Kings.
He had ruled Scotland for 36 years. His reign
united England and Scotland under one crown.
15James I Significant Facts
- He wore padded clothes because he feared being
stabbed. - Jamestown, Virginia named for him.
- He wrote about demonology.
- He condemned the smoking of tobacco.
-
16James I Significant Facts (2)
- Shakespeare wrote Macbeth in honor of the king.
The length of the play and the inclusion of
witches as characters reflected the playwrights
consideration of the kings preferences and
interests -
17Immigration
- 1620 The first immigration of pilgrims to the
New World took place on the Mayflower.
18Charles I
- 1625 Charles I (Chopped Charlie), son of
James I, became king.
19Charles I Significant Facts
- He perceived himself as high and mighty no
one sat in his presence (arrogance). - He was at the forefront of all portraits so as
to appear taller (vanity). - He sought money from the Puritan-controlled
Parliament to fight France and Spain.
20Charles I Significant Facts (2)
- He abused his power.
- He was forced to sign the Petition of Right,
which said that he could have no money without
the consent of Parliament.
21Charles I Significant Facts (3)
- Charles I did not honor the Petition of
Right, and he dissolved the Parliament, which
began a civil war between the Royalists and the
Puritans.
22Charles I Significant Facts (4)
- He was arrested, and then he was condemned to
death by one vote. - 1649 Charles I was beheaded.
23Charles I Execution Facts
- On the day of his execution, Charles I wore
extra clothes, so he would not shiver in the
cold. He did not want anyone to believe he was
afraid. His arrogance and vanity would not permit
that possibility. - His head was sewn back on, so the family could
grieve. - Snow fell on his coffin during the funeral
procession which some felt was a sign of his
innocence.
24The Commonwealth
- 1649 - The Commonwealth was established under
the leadership of Oliver Cromwell who was named
Lord Protector.
25The Commonwealth (2)
- Under the Commonwealth the theatres were closed.
- For the Royalists, the period between kings was
called the Interregnum.
26The Restoration
- 1660 The end of the Protectorate. The crown
was offered to the son of Charles I who became
Charles II (Cheerful Charlie). The time was
called the Restoration.
27Charles II
- Charles II had a great interest in science.
While studying the heavens, ravens left a
calling card on his telescope. He wanted to
have them killed, but a superstition prevented
this.
28Charles II (Contd)
- It was said that the crown would fall if ravens
ever left the tower, so he moved his telescope to
Greenwich.
29Two Tragedies
- The Plague (100,000 died in 6 months).
- The Great Fire burned four-fifths of London.
30James II
- 1685 James II (Dim Jim) succeeded his
brother as king. He was a Catholic, as was his
son, and when he tried to return the country to
Catholicism, he was deposed without bloodshed.
31James II (2)
- James II fled to France during this Glorious
Revolution. - 1688 William and Mary were invited to take the
crown.
32The Act of Settlement
- 1701- The Act of Settlement was passed by
Parliament that said Britain would never be ruled
by a Catholic monarch.
33Literature of the Period
- 1. Metaphysical (beyond the physical)
- 2. Cavalier (carpe diem)
- 3. Puritan
34Metaphysical Poetry
35Characteristics of Metaphysical Poetry
- Precise, witty, and intellectual like trying to
figure out a riddle. - Written for the aristocracy or well-educated.
36Characteristics of Metaphysical Poetry (2)
- Brief and concentrated in its meaning.
- Centered on dramatic situations.
- Fondness for conceits complex figures of
speech (extended metaphors) that compare two
seemingly dissimilar things.
37Characteristics of Metaphysical Poetry (3)
- Basis of comparison is surprising.
- Use of paradox apparent contradictions that
are true. - Use of hyperbole (exaggeration).
38Characteristics of Metaphysical Poetry (4)
- Draws on specialized areas of experience to
describe love. - Law
- Medicine
- Philosophy
- Religion
39Metaphysical Poets
- John Donne - leader
- Herbert
- Marvell
- Vaughan
40John Donne Life was a Paradox
- Early he was worldly, and he focused on
witty, love poetry while pursuing a career in
government. - Later he became religious, and as a serious
preacher, he focused on serious verse. -
41Cavalier Poetry
42Characteristics of Cavalier Poetry
- Witty, elegant poetry written for song and dance.
- Focused on the theme of carpe diem (Latin for
seize the day).
43Cavalier Poets
- Leader Ben Jonson others were called sons of
Ben.
44Puritan Writers
45Puritan Writers
- John Milton Paradise Lost (1667) an epic
poem written to explain the ways of God to men.
Milton is considered the greatest writer of the
seventeenth century.
46Puritan Writers (2)
- John Bunyan Pilgrims Progress (1678) an
allegorical novel of a Christians progress from
this world to the next.
47THE END