160 likes | 245 Views
The Renaissance marked a cultural rebirth characterized by a liberated mindset, Humanism, scientific advancements, Protestant Reformation, and societal changes. This era emphasized human interests and values, reflecting optimism and a focus on human life. Literature, art, and societal structures evolved, promoting innovation and intellectual pursuits.
E N D
The Renaissance 1500-1660
Renaissance Mindset • THE RENAISSANCE WAS AN AGE OF INDIVIDUAL PERSONALITIES, LIBERATED FROM THE POLITICAL CONSTRAINTS OF HOLY ROMAN EMPEROR AND POPE, FREE TO UNDERSTAND AND EXPRESS THEMSELVES FOR GOOD OR EVIL. • MOTTO: “MAN IS THE MEASURE OF ALL THINGS.” • Renaissance - rebirth (L. root “nas / nat” – birth; prefix “re” – again)
Human Horizons Widened • Revival of scholarship based on works of Aristotle and Plato • Queen Elizabeth established some free schools • Belief that 400 A. D. – 1500 A.D. had been a “dark night” of ignorance
Humanism • VIEW OF WORLD WITH HUMAN KIND AT CENTER ;CONCERNED WITH HUMAN INTERESTS / VALUES • GOALS: PERFECTION OF INDIVIDUAL HUMAN CHARACTER AND REFORM OF PUBLIC EVILS IN CHURCH AND STATE
Advances in Science & Geography • SCIENCE • *COPERNICUS (POLAND) -heliocentric • *GALILEO (ITALY) • GEOGRAPHY • SIR FRANCIS DRAKE (ENGLAND) • HERNANDO CORTES (SPAIN) • BALBOA (SPAIN) • FOUNDING OF NORTH AMERICAN COLONIES
Protestant Reformation • RELIGIOUS REFORM • *MARTIN LUTHER’S NINETY-FIVE THESES • *HENRY VIII’S BREAK WITH CHURCH • *THE BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER WIDELY AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH • *THE KING JAMES BIBLE WRITTEN IN ENGLISH (IAMBIC PENTAMETER)
CULTURAL CHANGES • CULTURE • *END OF FEUDALISM • *EMERGENCE OF URBAN CULTURE • AND CAPITALIST ECONOMY • *EMERGENCE OF PROSPEROUS MIDDLE CLASS • * GROWTH OF LAY, NOT CLERICAL, CULTURE
SOCIAL CHANGES • PRIZED MORAL / INTELLECTUAL NOBILITY OVER BIRTHRIGHT • SOCIAL CLASSES LESS RIGID; A MAN OF NATURAL TALENT COULD RISE TO THE TOP OF SOCIAL LADDER
Changes in Attitude • LIFE NO LONGER SEEN AS A “JOURNEY THROUGH A VALE OF TEARS,” BUT AS A BEAUTIFUL, EXCITING END-IN-ITSELF RENAISSANCE ART REFLECTS THIS NEW OPTIMISM ABOUT HUMAN LIFE
ELIZABETHAN AGE • TUDORS AND STUARTS RULED • ELIZABETH, A TUDOR, RULED 45 YEARS. SINCE SHE NEVER MARRIED, ELIZABETH WAS SOMETIMES CALLED “THE VIRGIN QUEEN.” SHE CAME TO THE THRONE AT AGE 18. • THE RENAISSANCE IN ENGLAND IS KNOWN AS THE ELIZABETHAN AGE.
RENAISSANCE LITERATURE • LITERATURE SHOULD BE STUDIED FOR ITS OWN SAKE AS WELL AS IN INTEREST OF • HUMAN VIRTUE • *THE SONNET - a fourteen line poem with a fixed pattern of rhyme and meter (Shakespearean, Petrarchan, and Spenserian) • * THE ESSAY, LOVE POETRY, DRAMA • *ONE FORM: BLANK VERSE (UNRHYMED • IAMBIC PENTAMETER)
Poetry and Drama • CAVALIER POETS--LOYAL TO CHARLES I; wrote about love and patriotism • *METAPHYSICAL POETS (JOHN DONNE) • POETRY CHARACTERIZED BY HIGH INTELLECTUALISM, EVEN IN LOVE POETRY; AND CONCEITS • *REDISCOVERY OF ARISTOTLE’S POETICS INFLUENCED DRAMA.
The Renaissance Man COURTIER PATRIOT, SOLDIER, SCHOLAR,POET • EDUCATED IN CLASSICAL / MODERN LANG. • SIGNS OF “MORAL AND INTELLECTUAL NOBILITY:” RHETORICAL ELOQUENCE, REFINED DICTION, URBANE WIT, RECTITUDE OF CONDUCT STILL DEVOUTLY RELIGIOUS BUT ENGAGED IN WORLDLY PURSUITS IN LOVE WITH LIFE -- CARPEDIEM MOTIF
Themes for Hamlet • HUMANS FIND EMOTIONAL ATTACHMENTS NECESSARY. • A HIGHER BEING OFTEN AIDS MAN IN HIS RIGHTEOUS BATTLES. • NOTHING IS AS PAINFUL TO THE HUMAN HEART AS INSENSITIVITY OR BETRAYAL ON THE PART OF A LOVED AND TRUSTED PERSON. • LIFE IS FULL OF OBLIGATIONS AND TRIALS. • HONOR CAN HELP ONE TO DO GOOD.
THEMES FOR POETRY • PAIN IS ASSOCIATED WITH UNREQUITED LOVE. • LIFE AND BEAUTY ARE TRANSITORY. • TIME INEXORABLY ERODES ALL THINGS MORTAL AND MATERIAL, BUT ART AND LOVE ARE ETERNAL. • IN PERIODS OF DESPAIR AND SORROW, THE THOUGHTS OF THOSE ONE LOVES ARE A SOURCE OF STRENGTH AND SUSTENANCE. • HONOR CAN HELP ONE TO DO GOOD
THEMES FOR POETRY • RECOGNITION OF A LOVED ONE’S MORTALITY STRENGTHENS LOVE FOR THAT PERSON. • LOVE CAN BE STRONG, STEADFAST, AND CONSTANT. • MANKIND NEEDS A HUMAN LISTENER. DEATH IS OFTEN SEEN AS GIVING REST. • LIFE IS FULL OF OBLIGATIONS AND TRIALS.