Renaissance Literature: Poetry Ms. Eckman English 12 Renaissance Literature: Poetry “The Renaissance 1485 -1660”. Elements of Literature, Sixth Course. Literature of Britain. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston. 2000. 190- 212.

Middle English Word endings changed b/c scribes became lazy This caused the change in pronunciations Language was no longer masculine or feminine but NEUTRAL The Norman Conquest introduced French into England French was used for law, gov’t, education & by the upper class England was now BILINGUAL (used both French & English 1362 English became the official language of England Some borrowed French words are: *Baron * Duke *Castle *Noble *County *Government

The Renaissance Period: 1485 - 1660 Definitions: Renaissance- rebirth Renaissance Man- someone who is interested in science, art, literature, history and other subjects. Example: Henry VIII or Thomas Jefferson Utopian- a perfect society Humanism- Renaissance writer’s who were part of an intellectual mov’t which combined traditional Christian thought with Latin & Greek classics to teach people how to live; to study themselves Reformation- The rejection of the Pope & church; to change the church & it’s politics

It began….. .....with the changes in people’s values, beliefs and behaviors. …..in Italy in the 14th Century.

The Humanists People moved away from “church” literature to Humanist literature to study themselves Humanists studied human nature; one’s self Erasmus was the most famous Renaissance humanist Sir Thomas More was another famous humanist who wrote “Utopia”. Both Erasmus and More helped shape European thought and history

What new technology helped bring about the Renaissance Period? The Gutenberg Press which helped spread Humanist writing. Before the press, all books were handwritten and hand copied. The press (with movable type) was invented by a German named Johannes Gutenberg around 1455. The first book he printed was the bible (on Latin).

The Reformation….. ….was a movement to REFORM the corrupt church & Pope. ….forced people to question the Catholic Church’s authority. ....made people object to the financial burdens placed upon them by the church.

Henry VIII Started the Reformation mov’t b/c he wanted a divorce from Catherine of Aragon Was a true Renaissance Man Created the Royal Navy which led to the spread of England’s rule Henry had 6 wives: Catherine of Aragon –divorced; mother of Mary Anne Boleyn -beheaded; mother of Elizabeth Jane Seymour -died naturally; mother to Edward VI Anne of Cleves -divorced Catherine Howard -beheaded Catherine Parr -only survivor

After Henry VIII…. 1st Edward VI or the “Boy King” -only male son of Henry (& Jane Seymour-she died 12 days after his birth) -became king at the age of 9 but his relatives ruled for him -died at age 15 from TB -followed by……

Introducing…. “Bloody Mary”! -1/2 sister to Edward, daughter of Catherine of Aragon -devout Catholic, returned power back to Pope & Catholic church -earned her “name” b/c she hunted down and killed Protestants (Henry’s followers) including burning over 300 people at the stake -Married the King of Spain (England’s biggest enemy at the time) - ruled England for 5 years -died of a fever

Return to Reformation…. The “Virgin Queen” -Elizabeth I followed Mary - She was the last living heir of Henry VIII -1/2 sister to Mary and Edward VI, daughter of Anne Boleyn - ruled from 1558 – 1603 -never married, no children or heirs -returned to her father’s policies, restored the Church of England -was intelligent & independent -Executed Mary, Queen of Scots, for attempting to have her killed. She was a cousin to Elizabeth. -Under Elizabeth, the Royal Navy defeated the Spanish Armada which secured England’s independence from ALL Catholic nations in the Mediterranean (The Spanish Armada was sent by King Phillip in response to Elizabeth executing Mary, Queen of Scots)

Hidden Messages…. How fashion impacted the Renaissance Era Colors and Clothing designs mean different things… 1. Green: love 2. White & Tawny: patience in adversity 3. White or Black: chastity 4. Pansies: sadness 5. Snakes: flattery

The 5 major Characteristics of the Renaissance Period…. People expanded their worlds by reading classical Greek & Roman writers rather than Christian doctrine Spread of Humanism- focus on the here & now rather than the “eternal life” The Gutenberg Press A growing Merchant class (Middle Class) The spread of scholarly Latin made the sharing of ideas possible

The End of the Renaissance Period Elizabeth I died Followed by ineffective rulers: -James I -Charles I (son of James); beheaded for treason -1649 – 1660 Parliament ruled w/o a monarch; Charles II was exiled to France -Charles II returned Political and Secular (church) values challenged John Milton was the LAST great writer of the period. Wrote “Paradise Lost”