English 121 October 13, 2005

The Renaissance ( ) 1. The ‘rebirth’ of language and culture; renaissance of the arts – particularly poetry and drama 2. Reformation (under Henry VIII) 3. European explorations in Africa and America 4. Scientific discoveries (Copernicus, Galileo) 5. First English colonies in America (Virginia and Pennsylvania) 6. Shakespeare 7. Translations of the Bible

The Reformation Breaking away, in many parts of northern Europe, from the Roman Catholic faith/Church. Breaking away, in many parts of northern Europe, from the Roman Catholic faith/Church. Originally a matter of religious doctrine, but also a matter of ambition of some European leaders who wanted to set up states independent of the Pope’s authority Originally a matter of religious doctrine, but also a matter of ambition of some European leaders who wanted to set up states independent of the Pope’s authority

Henry VIII of Tudor ( )

Henry VIII ( ) Greatest of Tudor’s monarchs Greatest of Tudor’s monarchs Very concerned with succession  wanted to have a male heir at all costs Very concerned with succession  wanted to have a male heir at all costs Married 6 times Married 6 times...but only had one son (King Edwards VI), and two daughters (Queen Mary I and Elizabeth I)...but only had one son (King Edwards VI), and two daughters (Queen Mary I and Elizabeth I)

Henry’s six wives 1. Catherine of Aragon 2. Anne Boleyn 3. Ann of Cleves 4. Jane Seymour 5. Catherine Howard 6. Catherine Parr

Henry VIII ( ) First wife was Catherine of Aragon First wife was Catherine of Aragon They had Mary (Mary I) They had Mary (Mary I) Henry decided to annul his marriage to Catherine Henry decided to annul his marriage to Catherine No permission from Pope Clement VII No permission from Pope Clement VII 1534, Henry broke with the Catholic Church and established himself both the head of the church and head of state  Reformation 1534, Henry broke with the Catholic Church and established himself both the head of the church and head of state  Reformation

The Reformation Henry closed and largely destroyed the monasteries (for centuries the repository of learning, history, and culture). Henry closed and largely destroyed the monasteries (for centuries the repository of learning, history, and culture). The country became Protestant  Protestantism became the official religion. The country became Protestant  Protestantism became the official religion. The most radical revolution in beliefs to ever affect the nation. The most radical revolution in beliefs to ever affect the nation. England began to develop a separate identity from Europe. England began to develop a separate identity from Europe.

After Henry VIII Edward VI 2. Mary I 3. Elizabeth I ( ) Daughter of Anne Boleyn Daughter of Anne Boleyn

Elizabeth I ( )

Elizabeth’s Reign Long (45 years) but politically unsettled Long (45 years) but politically unsettled  Catholic dissent (Counter-Reformation; conflicts with Scotland, etc.) But at the same time gave the nation stability and sense of national and religious triumph But at the same time gave the nation stability and sense of national and religious triumph  1588: The Spanish Armada (fleet of King Philip of Spain (Catholic)) was defeated

The Theatre in Elizabethan’s England The vast majority of the population was illiterate (could not read nor write) but did go to the theatre. The vast majority of the population was illiterate (could not read nor write) but did go to the theatre  First public theatre was built 1576  First public theatre was built The theatre is a forum for debate, spectacle, entertainment. The theatre is a forum for debate, spectacle, entertainment. Writers take their work to an audience that may include the queen and aristocrats, as well as subjects. Writers take their work to an audience that may include the queen and aristocrats, as well as subjects.

The Theatre in Elizabethan’s England (cont’d) Several ‘fixed’ theatres are built at this time in London Several ‘fixed’ theatres are built at this time in London Most open to the sky (e.g., Globe) but some completely enclosed (e.g., Blackfriars) Most open to the sky (e.g., Globe) but some completely enclosed (e.g., Blackfriars)

The Globe

The Stage

The Globe Stage

Shakespeare ( ) Born in Stratford-upon-Avon, moves to London in 1591 to become actor (works for Lord Chamberlain’s company, later the ‘King’s men’) Born in Stratford-upon-Avon, moves to London in 1591 to become actor (works for Lord Chamberlain’s company, later the ‘King’s men’) Writer of plays and of poetry (sonnets) Writer of plays and of poetry (sonnets) Wrote 37 plays (tragedies and comedies) Wrote 37 plays (tragedies and comedies) Though not highly educated, he was a ‘visionary’, had a wider range of reference and allusion, theme and content, than any of his contemporaries (e.g., Marlowe, Kid, etc.) Though not highly educated, he was a ‘visionary’, had a wider range of reference and allusion, theme and content, than any of his contemporaries (e.g., Marlowe, Kid, etc.)

Shakespeare ( ) His theatre is universal  he writes about men of all social classes, and of universal human qualities His theatre is universal  he writes about men of all social classes, and of universal human qualities Themes are often great, abstract universal themes, seen both at the social and individual level  ambition, jealousy, death, power, love, envy, etc. Themes are often great, abstract universal themes, seen both at the social and individual level  ambition, jealousy, death, power, love, envy, etc. All of his characters speak modern English All of his characters speak modern English

Shakespeare and language Had an extremely large ‘vocabulary’ for the time (~ 30,000 words) Had an extremely large ‘vocabulary’ for the time (~ 30,000 words) Liked experimenting with language – used many ‘brand’ new words in his plays, words that entered the English language during the Renaissance (mostly Latin- based words) Liked experimenting with language – used many ‘brand’ new words in his plays, words that entered the English language during the Renaissance (mostly Latin- based words)

Translations of the Bible 1520s-1530s (under Henry VIII): William Tyndale used Greek and Hebrew texts for the translation of the New and Old testament respectively. 1520s-1530s (under Henry VIII): William Tyndale used Greek and Hebrew texts for the translation of the New and Old testament respectively. 1534: Henry VIII breaks with Roman Catholic Church 1534: Henry VIII breaks with Roman Catholic Church 1535: Coverdale (Tyndale’s disciple) publishes his vernacular (English) version of the Bible. 1535: Coverdale (Tyndale’s disciple) publishes his vernacular (English) version of the Bible.

Geneva Bible & Bishop’s Bible Geneva Bible: English version commissioned in 1539 by Anglican Church English version commissioned in 1539 by Anglican Church published in 1560, when it was presented to Queen Elizabeth by Coverdale published in 1560, when it was presented to Queen Elizabeth by Coverdale This is the version that was familiar to most readers – including Shakespeare – until well into the 17 th century This is the version that was familiar to most readers – including Shakespeare – until well into the 17 th century Bishop’s Bible: Published in 1568 (shortly after Geneva) Published in 1568 (shortly after Geneva) Based on the Latin Vulgata version Based on the Latin Vulgata version Rival version of Geneva; published as a ‘counterbalance’ to the Calvinist Generva Bible Rival version of Geneva; published as a ‘counterbalance’ to the Calvinist Generva Bible

King James Bible Known as ‘Authorized Version of the Bible’ Known as ‘Authorized Version of the Bible’ Published in 1611, under James I ( ), who commissioned it in 1604  he wanted to have a standardized version for use in all churches and throughout the country; Published in 1611, under James I ( ), who commissioned it in 1604  he wanted to have a standardized version for use in all churches and throughout the country; Product of 44 scholars; overall influenced by several existing versions, largely based on Geneva & Bishop’s Bibles Product of 44 scholars; overall influenced by several existing versions, largely based on Geneva & Bishop’s Bibles Considered the most influential work of the English language because it was used in every church in the land over the next 3 centuries, and thus reached a large number of people. Considered the most influential work of the English language because it was used in every church in the land over the next 3 centuries, and thus reached a large number of people.

Language of James’Bible Translators opted for a formal rather than vernacular style and were largely inspired by previous versions Translators opted for a formal rather than vernacular style and were largely inspired by previous versions Maintains an older word order (‘they knew him not’, ‘things eternal’) Maintains an older word order (‘they knew him not’, ‘things eternal’) The use of prepositions is ‘marked’ (‘tempted of (by) Satan’) The use of prepositions is ‘marked’ (‘tempted of (by) Satan’) Many phrases and proverbial expressions that appear in J’s B are now part of everyday language (‘money is the root to all evil’, ‘all things to all men’,’ etc.) Many phrases and proverbial expressions that appear in J’s B are now part of everyday language (‘money is the root to all evil’, ‘all things to all men’,’ etc.)

America and the Americans --Coming to America for fun adventure, and profit --Coming to America for fun adventure, and profit --Jamestown and Tangiers Island --Jamestown and Tangiers Island

Chesapeake Bay

Jamestown

Tangiers Island

Tangiers Island English Carried accents from England (Devon and Cornwall) that are still alive today. --hoi toiders vs. high tiders --Paul sounds like pull; ball sounds like bull --Creek sounds like crick Lexical items: skillet: spider

Why has their language maintained its identity over the years? Dense social networks Dense social networks –Not much contact with the rest of Virginia or the United States –No reason to speak differently.

American English Settlers from Britain came to the U.S.

Dialects of Britain

American Usage Examples of English becoming “American” Examples of English becoming “American” –Settlers meets with Indian groups and slaves from Africa leads to a… Pidgin –The settlers came from different parts of England, although they likely spoke differently, their children did not—ACCENT LEVELING

Spanish, French, Dutch influence on English Spanish, French, Dutch influence on English –Spanish (plaza, stampede); French (bayou, levee); Dutch (Brooklyn, Harlem) New words coming into the English language New words coming into the English language –Hickory, chipmunk, moose