2.文艺复兴时代.ppt

Unit 2 Literature of the Renaissance Major knowledge points: Pre-Elizabethan literature (1400-1557) Elizabethan literature (1557-1603) Jacobean period (1603-1625) Religious Reformation Italy France Germany Holland Spain England Political situation: centralization of monarchy; relevant peace at home and overseas; favorable political atmosphere for art and culture development Religion: weakened Catholic power in mental dictatorship after Religious Reformation and the inroads of Protestantism Strengthened economic and military power : geographical discoveries, imperial colonization, expansive oversea trades and domestic manufacture industry In social customs: the bohemian lifestyle prevails as a result of the full emancipation of human emotion, mind and behavior with no restriction In human life: the spirit of adventure and experiment permeates all the fields of human activities as a result of the full development of man’s epistemology and knowledge and capability An age of talents and marvelous accomplishments by human beings In literature: poetry, drama and prose are all booming University Wits:  Christopher Marlowe One-man tragedy: the medieval concept of tragedy as beginning with the rise of the hero from his humble origin to the zenith of his success and ending with his downfall or death. In theme the poet voiced the supreme desire of the man of the Renaissance for infinite power and authority via those central characters Marlowe’s mighty line: blank verse The giant of all age: William Shakespeare His life and profile of his literary career The earliest period (1590-1601) Nine of his ten history plays Tragedies: Romeo and Juliet; Julius Caesar Comedies: The Merchant of Venice; Much Ado about Nothing; As You Like It; Twelfth Night 154 sonnets The second period (1601-1608) Tragedies: Hamlet; Othello; King Lear; Macbeth Tragi-comedy: All’s Well that Ends Well; Measure for Measure; Troilu