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The Impact of Renaissance on English Literature
The Renaissance: a Historical Background
The term ‘Renaissance’ means rebirth in French and has its origin in the Latin ‘renascentia’. It was used commonly to describe a period of European history that followed the Middle Ages, in which the renewal of interest in the old knowledge of Greece and Rome became an important point of concentration. In this period, arts of painting, sculpture, architecture, literature, and other aspects reached a high level that was not exceeded in any other age. M. H. Abram stated that:
The Renaissance involves a rebirth of letters and arts stimulated by the recovery and study of text from classical antiquity and the development of new aesthetic norms based on classical model. It also unleashed new ideas and new social, political, and economic forces that displaced the otherworldly and communal values of the Middle Ages, emphasizing instead the dignity and potential of the individual and the worth of life in this world.
This means that the Renaissance period marked a break from the Middle Ages leading towards modern age and that the European people, during this period, became interested in the ideas and culture of ancient Greece and Rome and that is what affected their intellectual life and brought revolutionary changes in the history of Europe. In addition to that, a new emphasis was placed on individualism and potentialities of the human mind.
- MAJOR EVENTS AND THEIR SIGNIFICANCE (1300 – 1600)
1305-1378 After over 12 centuries, the Popes leave Rome to stay at Avignon in France. This is known as the ‘Babylonian Captivity of the Church’ and results in a loss of prestige for the Church leaders. 1341 Petrarch, the first great humanist, is crowned as ‘Poet Laureate’ in Rome.
1348 The Black Death in Europe: Bubonic plague drastically reduces the population. However, the plague is followed by an economic revival. 1378 The Pope returns to Rome but the French insist on having a Pope at Avignon as well, resulting in the Great Schism or split in the Church.
1397 The Medici Bank is founded in Florence. The Medicis, great patrons of art and culture, soon become practically the rulers of the city. Also in Florence, Greek literature is introduced as a subject at the University
. 1400-1450 Donatello, artist and sculptor, flourishes in Florence.
c. 1450 Johann Gutenberg invents the printing press (printing was earlier known to the Chinese) and uses it to print the Latin Bible. 1453 Constantinople falls to the Turks; many Greek scholars settle in Italy, bringing their manuscripts.
1479 The Italians (of Venice) are defeated by the Turks; hence the ancient trading route to India (via Egypt) is cut off. The Portuguese and Spanish begin exploring new routes. 1492 Christopher Columbus, in search of India, reaches America. 1495-1498 Leonardo da Vinci paints The Last Supper.
1498 Vasco da Gama discovers a sea route to India, arriving at Kerala. The Portuguese become the first European colonial power in India. 1503-1505 Leonardo da Vinci paints the Mona Lisa while Michelangelo completes his statue of David. 1508-1512 Michelangelo paints the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in St. Peter’s Cathedral, Rome.
1517 onwards Rise of Martin Luther, who initiates the Protestant Reformation in Germany. He is followed by Ulrich Zwingli in Switzerland and (in the 1530s) by John Calvin in France. 1519 onwards Expansion of the Spanish empire in Central and South America. 1543 Copernicus publishes his work on the Solar System, claiming that the Earth travels around the Sun.
money are shown that found in the English society. The tragic plays of blood and revenge were introduced by John Webster in this age.
Examples- Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus, Tamburlaine, Jew of Malta and Edward II
Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Othello, Hamlet, King Lear and A Mid Summer Night’s Dream
Ben Jonson’s Alchemist, Everyman in His Humour and Volpone
These are a few examples of the dramas of the Renaissance age.
2) Impact on Poetry
In Poetry, the spirit of Renaissance can be seen in the works of Wyatt, Surrey, Spenser, Sidney, Shakespeare and etc. this form became a fashionable and handy tool for the great poets of this age. Sir Thomas Wyatt and the Earl of Surrey were the pioneers of the new poetry in England. They both gave English poetry a new sense of grace, dignity and harmony. They did their best to imitate Italian Renaissance.
Wyatt has introduced the sonnet in English literature. Though in his sonnets Wyatt did not employ regular iambic pentameters, yet he created a sense of discipline among the poets of the era. According to David Daiches –
Wyatt’s sonnets represent one of the most interesting movements toward metrical discipline, found in English literary history
Surrey’s works are characterized by exquisite grace and tenderness. He was a better craftsman and gives greater harmony to his poetry. Surrey employed blank verse in English literature with the translation of the fourth book of The Aeneid.
Shakespeare’s 154 sonnets
Sidney’s Astrophel and Stella
Spenser’s Amoretti
Milton’s Paradise Lost
With these few poetry of Renaissance era, England becomes a nest of singing birds. 3) Impact on Prose Italian wind brought the seeds of the novel in English literature. The most important prose writers who exhibit well the influence of the Renaissance on English prose are Erasmus, Sir Thomas More, Lyly, and Sidney. In the 15th century, the prose writings of Bacon are true spirit of the Renaissance. He is called the father of English essays. His essays provided the best worldly wisdom in the era of Renaissance.
- Examples Sir Thomas More’s Utopia Malory’s Morte – de – Arthur Erasmus’ Praise and Folly Browne’s Religio Medici Conclusion The Renaissance makes a great effect on the development of English literature. In 1564, the Italian Renaissance was over but the English Renaissance had hardly begun. The age of Shakespeare was the era of Renaissance in England. It was an important movement that illuminated the whole English literature. Classical language and learning were popularized. Paradise Lost is the last great triumph of the Renaissance.
