Lectue Two Shakespeare and Hamlet.pptVIP

Shakespeare and Hamlet Ada Ma Renaissance Literature Renaissance (rebirth) It refers to the intellectual and economic changes that occurred in Europe from the 14thC to the middle of the 17thC. Renaissance originates in Italy as a cultural movement which brought about a period of scientific revolution and artistic transformation. Renaissance (rebirth) It marks the transition from medieval to modern times. Two significant features of Renaissance: the curiosity in classical literature of ancient Greece and Rome and humanism. Shakespeare’s Humanism “What a piece of work is a man! How noble in reason, how infinite in faculty, in form and moving how express and admirable, in action how like an angel, in apprehension how like a god—the beauty of the world, the paragon of animals!” ---- Hamlet’s speech in Act II 人类是一件多么了不起的杰作！多么高贵的理性！多么伟大的力量！多么优美的仪表！多么文雅的举动！在行为上多么像一个天使！在智慧上多么像一个天神！宇宙的精华！万物的灵长！ He describes human beings from several perspectives, each one adding to his glorification of them. Human beings’ reason is noble, their faculties infinite, their forms and movements fast and admirable, their actions angelic, and their understanding godlike. But, to Hamlet, humankind is merely dust. This motif, an expression of his obsession with the physicality of death, recurs throughout the play. Finally, it is also telling that Hamlet makes humankind more impressive in “apprehension” (meaning understanding) than in “action.” Hamlet himself is more prone to apprehension than to action, which is why he delays so long before seeking his revenge on Claudius. Renaissance Literature 1. Elizabethan Drama 2. Sonnet: a 14-line verse form usually having one of the two conventional rhyme schemes. Italian Sonnet (Petrarchan Sonnet): abba, abba; cde, cde English Sonnet (Shakespearean Sonnet): abab, cdcd, efef, gg Sonnet 18 Shall I compare thee to a Summer’s day? a Thou art more lovely and more tempera