The Renaissance (1485-1660)
-Late 1400s marked changes in people’s values, beliefs, and behavior is the English Renaissance
Rediscovering Ancient Greece and Rome
-"Renaissance" means writings of Ancient Greece and Rome
-Middle Ages Spoke and Wrote in Rare Latin Forms
-People discovered translation secrets and read Greek books, etc
-Renewal of human spirit- curiosity and creativity
-"Renaissance Person"- energetic and productive human being who is interested in science, literature, history, art, etc.
-Thomas Jefferson known as Renaissance Person
It all Began in Italy: A Flourish of Genius
-New energy 1st deserved in Italy
-lasted to 17th century
-almost everyone Roman Catholic
-Catholic Church financed intellectual and artistic endeavors
Humanism: Questions and the Good Life
-humanism-"intellectual movement"- wanted questions answered
-sought to harmonize these two great sources of wisdom: Bible and Classics
-use classics to strengthen, not discredit
-aim of life is to attain virtue,
not success money or fame, virtue is the best
possible human possession and the only source of true happiness
The New Technology: A flood of Print
-computer result of printing press
-inventor Johannes Gutenberg
-1st book was Latin Bible to be "pressed"
-helped spread knowledge
Two Friends- Two Humanists
-Best known humanist-Erasmus-Dutch Monk
-lived outside monastery and loved to travel
-wrote in Latin
-friend Thomas More
-both loved life and laughter
-More wrote Utopia
-helped shape European thought and History
The Reformation: Breaking with Church
-rejected authority of Pope and Church
-feelings of patriotism and national identity made English financial burdens imposed on by the Vatican
-Martin Luther founded new Christianity
-church need to reform
Summary PG. 193-214
King versus Pope: All for an Heir
-conflict between King Henry VII and pope when King wanted to divorce wife Catherine
-divorce against church
-Catherine couldn’t bear a heir to throne
-Henry declared himself head of the church
-Began Protestantism in England
-People felt it was not reformed enough
-dissidents: Puritans, Baptists, Presbyterians, Dissenters, and Non Conformists wanted to get rid of "popish" things. Ex. Prayer Book
-religion was solely a matter between the individual and God. Protestant Base
-directly related to teachings of Renaissance humanists who emphasized the freedom of all human beings
Henry VII: Renaissance Man and Executioner
-Tutors: Henry VII
-welsh nobleman who seized throne
-after wars of the roses
-shrewd, patient, and stingy man
-had 6 wives
-"Divorced, beheaded, died
Divorced, beheaded, survived"
-created Royal Navy
-known as "Renaissance Man"
-wrote poetry
-coarse, dissolute, arrogant, womanizer
-increased strength and security in England
The Boy King and Bloody Mary
-next was King Edward VI
-intelligent but sickly
-died of tuberculosis
-Mary took over throne
-Devout, strong-willed catholic
-wanted to avenge the wrongs of her mother
-hunted down Protestants
-burned 300 of her subjects
-lost support of people when she married Philip II
-"Bloody mary"
-restored pope’s power in England
-died of fever
-Elizabeth became queen
-most brilliant and successful of monarchs in history
-reestablished church of England and rejected pope’s authority
-pope excommunicated her
Summary PG. 193-214
-"virgin queen"
-played suitors
-Mary Stuart plotted against Elizabeth
-Elizabeth beheaded Mary
-settled disorder in kingdom
Fashion
-women dressed flamboyantly
-shoulders had wings
-corseted waists
-braids, bows, spangles, and lace clothing
-colors rich, bold, and symbolic
The Spanish Armada Sinks: A Turning Point in History
-King Philip of Spain invaded England
-Spanish Armada
-Elizabeth’s Navy won and it was a turning point in history
-victory assured Independence from Catholic Countries
A Flood of Literature
-England began writing like never before
-Elizabeth became role model and beloved symbol of peace, security, and prosperity to her subjects and she provided inspiration to scores of English authors
-literary works depicted her
Decline of The Renaissance: A Dull Man Succeeds a Witty Woman
-James VI of Scotland was next
-Spendthrift, thick-tongued, goggle-eye
-wrote learned books in favor of the diving right of Kings against tobacco
-patronized Shakespeare
-sponsored new translation of bible
-next was Charles I
-remote, autocratic, and self-destructive
-next 11 years ruled by parliament and Oliver Cromwell
-Political climate changes after Elizabeth
-political and secular values beginning to challenge the accepted doctrines of religion
Summary PG. 239-248
To the Virgins to Make Much of Time
Andrew Marvell (1621-1678)
-son of a clergy man
-went to Cambridge University
-tutor for Mary Fairfax
-tutor for Oliver Cromwell
-assistant to John Milton
-member of Parliament for Hull
-wrote miscellaneous Poems
To His Coy Mistress
-by Andrew Marvell
-famous "invitation to love" in English
-take time in courtship games only if they were immortal
-uses contrasting images of death and youthful energy to present his philosophy of living for the pleasure of the day
John Donne (1572-1631)
-wrote learned, passionate, argumentive poetry
-born into prominent Roman Catholic Family
-studied at Oxford
-law student at Lincoln’s Inn
-"Jack Donne"
-took part in two naval expeditions against Spain
-private secretary to Sir Thomas Egerton
-married Anne More
-put in jail for marriage because it was against the church and while in jail he wrote "John Donne, Anne Donne, Undone"
-became clergyman
Song
-By John Donne
A Valediciton:Forbidding Mourning
-earthquakes that bring fear and men don’t know why they are caused
-maybe irregularity in the movement of heavenly bodies
Summary PG. 248-255
-human aspect of death
-even though the two are apart, they will still be together forever
Meditation 17
Death be not proud
-death less powerful enemy than normally thought
-mocks death
-he tries to rationalize fear of death
-death personified
-soul will survive
Summary PG. 256-266
Ben Jonson (1572-1637)
-was christened as Benjamin
-went to West Minister School
-knew Latin and Greek
-joined English army
-killed Spanish Champion
-playwright and an actor
-went to jail twice
-dramatist
-literary dictator in London
On My First Son by Benjamin Jonson
-this is only fair and his presumptuous plans for the boy's future were the cause of his present sense of loss
- questions his own grief: why lament the enviable state of death when the child has escaped suffering and the misery of aging
-son best piece of poetry
-vows to be more careful with those he loves
-loss of son
Song: To Celia
Why so Pale and wan, Fond Lover? By Sir Thomas Suckling
-English Civil wars backdrop
To Lucasta, on Going to the Wars by Richard Lovelace
Summary PG. 266-266
To Althea, From Prison Richard Lovelace
