Part II Renaissance English Literature.docVIP

Part II. The Renaissance This is a greatest and most advanced revolution in the human history. This is the age the giants are needed and produced. ------F. Engles The renaissance in England Some major historic events: a. The War of Roses (1455-1488) and the establishment of the dynasties of Henry VII and VIII—the centralized monarchy. b. The Enclosure movement “ sheep devoured Men” c. The religious reformation, establishment of the Anglican Church d. Flourishing in the Elizabethan Age (1558-1603) e. defeating the Spanish Invincible fleet” Armada” in 1588 and the establishment of the hegemony on the seas. f. The geographical exploration and trade expansion brought about the growth of the cities and the development of the capitalist textile industry. Section I Historical Background 1. Political and Social 1) Politically, the feudal nobility lost their power and there was a centralization of power necessary for the development of capitalism 2) Religiously, there was the far-reaching movement of the Reformation (Henry VIII) 3) Economically, the national economy of England developed at a slow but steady pace. 4) Militarily, the struggle between England and Spain occupied the last years of 16th century. 2. Cultural and Literary Background 1) Culturally, a totally new culture rose out of the revival of the old culture of ancient Greece and Rome. 2) Literally, there were three stages and two main trends of Literature. Three Stages Two main treads The division of the English renaissance a. Budding: the last years of the 15-th century---first half of the 16-th century b. Flowering: the Elizabethan Age (1558-1603) c. Fading: the period of James I (1603-1625) early 17-th century Renaissance English Literature (15C-----17C) The Renaissance originated in Italy in the 14-th century when the art, literature and ideas of ancient Greece and Rome were discovered and widely studied and came to a flowery in the 15-th century a