Transcript The Renaissance

The Renaissance
1485-1660
The Renaissance
• Meaning “rebirth" and refers to the
renewed interest in classical learning,
which refers to the writings of ancient
Greece and Rome. Because of the
emphasis on human ability and new
discoveries, the Renaissance is often
considered the beginning of the modern
world.
Beginnings of the Renaissance
Began in Italy and spread to other
European countries- France, Germany,
Spain, and lastly England. Many writers
and artists visited and looked to Italy for
inspiration.
The invention of the printing press
(around 1455) made books a reality and
working tools for scholars. By 1500,
printers-particularly Italian printers-had
published in book form the works of most
of the important Latin authors.
• Renewal of reading and learning led to a renewal of
the human spirit- of curiosity and creativity.
• Visual Arts flourished (Michelangelo, Leonardo da
Vinci)
• Exploration and trade became widespread
• Christopher Columbus (1442)- One of MANY
enterprisers
• European exploration at this time marked the
first stages of European colonial and commercial
domination
• Science began to flourish; new inventions created
(Galileo, Gutenberg)
• Rise of humanism
• Emphasized the abilities of the human mind
and achievement versus medieval emphasis
on God and denial of worldly things.
• Sought to answer questions: What does it
mean to be human? What is a good life?
How do I lead a good life?
• Desired to harmonize two great sources of
wisdom: the Bible and the classics.
Renaissance in England
 Renaissance in England was gradual, due to
political instability
 Henry VIII (8th) (1509-1547)
› Powerful political leader
 Created Royal Navy
 Declared himself Supreme Head of the
Church of England (Anglican Church) when
pope refuse to grant a divorce.
 Demanded supreme authority and
allegiance at high cost (Sir Thomas More –
locked in tower and beheaded for treason)
Henry VIII
• “Renaissance man” –person of many interests,
skills, talents
• Poet, musician, hunter
• Well-educated- studied French, Italian, Latin
• Opened the door to writers and artists in royal
court (Sir Thomas Wyatt)
• Elizabeth I (1558-1603)
• One of the most powerful and successful monarchs
in history.
• Reestablished the Church of England and again
rejected pope’s authority (like her father).
• Leader in economics and foreign affairs, which
led to prosperity in England and defeat of
Spanish Armada
• Renaissance and literary influence
• Well-educated, accomplished linguist and poet
• Encouraged and inspired many writers. Elizabeth
became a beloved symbol of peace, security,
and prosperity. She provided inspiration for
poetry, drama, and fiction.
• Elizabethan drama led to the triumph of
dramatically spoken English.
• James I (1603-1625)
• Elizabeth's cousin , James VI (6th) of England
• Gunpowder Plot (1605) –Conspiracy by Catholic
church to blow up parliament because of
discontent with James’ support of Church of
England; said to be partial inspiration to
Shakespeare’s Macbeth.
• General Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658)- led
Parliamentary forces (Puritans) against
England’s royalist (Roman Catholics) forces in
civil war. Eventually, new government failed
and the king was restored to the throne,
beginning the Restoration Period.
Other Important Renaissance
Figures & Influences
 Writers & Poets
› Petrarch (1304-1374) –Italian poet; one of the first influences
upon the Renaissance.
› Boccacio (1313-1375)- “Federigo’s Falcon”
› Sir Thomas More- Utopia (1516) is considered the first literary
masterpiece of the English Renaissance.
› Christopher Marlowe (1564-1593)- poet, playwright,
contemporary of Shakespeare’s.
› William Shakespeare (1564-1616)- most well-known poet &
playwright of the Renaissance.
• Artists
• Michelangelo (1475-1564)- Italian painter,
sculptor, architect (Sistine Chapel ceiling;
“David” sculptor)
• da Vinci (1452-1519)- Mona Lisa- one of the
most recognized paintings in the world.
• Rulers
• Lorenzo de’ Medici (1449-1492)- “Lorenzo
the Magnificent” Ruler of Italy and patron of
several great artists (Botticelli, Michelangelo,
da Vinci)
Terms to Know
 Soliloquy: A speech that a character makes while alone
on stage to reveal thoughts, motives, or feelings to the
audience.
 Aside: When a character makes a statement meant to
be heard by the audience or by another character, but
not by ALL of the characters on stage.
 Dramatic Irony: When the audience knows more than
the characters; the characters expect one thing to
happen, but something else happens instead.
 Iambic Pentameter: A line of poetry made up of five
stressed syllables and five unstressed syllables, creating
a ten-beat per line rhythm.
 Blank Verse: Unrhymed iambic pentameter; the verse of
most of Shakespeare’s plays.