Renaissance and he

Elizabethan Age
The Renaissance
its
Q.,1. Describe what is meant bv Renaissance and what are
prominnt features ?
The much used word Renaissance', means rebirth'; Re agam
naissance: birth'. It was first used by the French historian Jules Michelit in
1885 and soon became popular in denoting a particular era in history that
witnessed extraordinary intellectual, cultural and artistic developments in
Europe. Generally the tern is used to describe a revival (hence the sense of
'rebirth') of the culture and civilization of ancient Greece and Rome, and
through these a radical shift in the focus of interest from the religious to the
humanistic interpretation of life and world. Secular view began to occupy the
centrestageand a deep interest in man as man led to the rise of Humanism that
affected all the major forms of art. This was a signiticant departure trom the
closed intellectual-philosophical framework of the middle ages.
Discussion over Renaissance has spanned across several issues and
points that have remained highly debatable, curiously enough, debate has
only become more active and spirited, with every age contributing its own
point of view, through a process of questioning and rejection of some old
assumptions and formulating new ones. As E.H. Gombrich says, "... in some
respects, the interpretation of what the Renaissance stood for, or stands
for, even now, has shifted, and shifted often, almost kaliedoscopically.
particularly during the last one hundred years"
Among many points of this seemingly never-ending discussion is the
sharp opposition in which the middle ages and the renaissance is seen which
was created sometime in the nineteenth-century: "yet it is totally misleading
to think of 'humanism' as a movement which reacted against the Roman
Church. The term 'humanism', ... is a nineteenth-century invention and the
nineteenth-century tended aliogether to exaggerate the opposition between
the Renaissance and the so-called Christian centres". (E.H. Gombrich: 12).
This opposition has created a perception of the Middle Ages as Dark Ages
which is very much debated these days.
However, without going into this discussion we shallhave a look at the
salient features that distinguish the renaissance age from the earlier one.
(100)
 101
RENAISSANCE AND THE ELIZABETHAN AGE

Interest in Classical Antiquity

era was an awakened
One of the most prominent highpoints of the new
hulnanism and an absolute
nterest in the classical antiquity as a source of
standard of beauty. This is known as a heginning of the period of Tecover
and has been shown in diagrammatic form in the following way.
Recovery
Classical antiquity Dark Ages
1300-1400

The Historical Reasons

We have already hinted at the occurrence of certain historical events in
Asia Minor and surrounding areas in or around 1453 that led to attacks by the
Turks in Greece and the Balkans. The attacks left every where behind them a
trail of large-scale sacking and destruction of the Byzantine centres of
learning. The Greek scholars, feeling the pressure of these assauits began
making escape to the West along with their valuable libraries. In the Italian
cities, especially Florence, they were sheltered by such cultured families
as the Medici. The Romans and Italians had already seen the remarkable
expansion and growth of arts, sciences and learning, and when the Greeks
arrived amidst them, they were delighted to have achance to get exposure to
the wealth of Greek scholarship. They had known the works of Piuto. Homer,
Aristotle, and other major Greek thinkers, but the opportunity to know them
at first handwas a great boon and godser d. The young scholars and university
students flocked to these sources ofnew iearning with everyone eager to learn
Greek language. Cambridge and Oxfori emerged as the active promoters of
Greek scholarship and language. As T.G: Williams observes,
The discipline of Greek studies was introduced into Oxford by William
Grocyn, but the first Englishman who c¡n be said to have written under their
influence was Sir Thomas More".
It is interesting to note that the Ditch humanist-scholar is Eras1mus of
Rotterdam, unable to visit Italy, came to †xford and found the plase far better
equipped to impart new knowledge to the younger scholars than Rome or
Florence or Padua, and there was no need in hIs opinion to visit Italy. Europe
thus had become a veritable hotbed of activities opening out its portals of new
awareness'. Significantiy, along with an exposure to Greek learning there was
also triggired an interest among the Italians in their own antiquity which led to
large-scale excavation work and a revival of classical works.
focus of interest slowly shifted to new norms and value Consequently.
perception and points of view that spelled a departure from thosesystems, new
of medieval
period. While these radical changes were taking place in Europe.
was goingthrough a moreplacid kind of transformation, England
Jeisured pace in a more subdued manner. European something at a more
of Copernicus, Vesaluis, Columbus, Vasco da renaissance can boast
Calvin. Leonardo da Vinci, Michael Angelo, }winglis Gama, Martin Luther. John
all
rapid changes in different fields of intellectual life, in associated with the
etillstruggling between tormidable England thinkers were
medieval past that continued to cast srnell
on the nevw age, and a violent progressivism that emerged. The low literary
vitality after Chaucer suggests the relative insulation of English mind from
what was occurring in Europe.
Humanism
Yet the influence of Greek letters was felt immediately and resoundingly:
"the free-ringing, liberal tones of the Old Greek world reacted on the modern
world nowemerging from tradition bound medievalism". (T.G. Williams:
79). With the great recovery of the classical antiquity, humanism and free
thinking found a congenial atmosphere for healthy growth and began to
influence drastically nearly all walks of life. The term Humanism includes
revolutionary qualities of liberal thinking and Athenian democracy. Man
was discovering himself. This was enabled by the shift from the orthodTx
religious outlook to the secular one. Man began to take interest in his own
world rather than the other world, gaining confidence in his powers and
abilities, and by using these powers 'opened up vast new regions of
speculation,of aesthetic enjoyment and conduct'.The importance of Church
the
as a consolation and guidance for life began to be doubted and debated as
Lollards and later Reformation movement shÍwed, jand man's own soul and
individuality became the source of his expectationsjand aspirations. Human
life and human affairs began to occupy the writer's minds in greater measure
as we find in Dante, Petrarch and Boccacio. 'Humanism' recognized the great
importance of human being by placing him at the centre of theuniverse.
before
Italy was the seat of humanism where the movement began much
and Boccacio
it was seen in other countries. The writings of Petrarch, Danti
behaviour, but a
show not only a deep interest in human emotions and
amount of
fierce passion for the past tl:at was being slowly uncovered, the and
knowledge gained through recovered statues, buildings, beautiful relics
the manuscripts ofVirgil, Ovid and Cicero.
growth
By the fifteenth centur', Italian Renaissance had shown full captured the
reaching new heights in arts and literature. Aristo and Tasso had
Jerusalem
readers with their powerful poetic genius in Orlando Furioso and
Delivered; Castiglione's The Courtier presenting the renaissance ideals of
The Prince serving
fine courtly conduct and the art of living; Machiavellis,politician.
as a powerful guide-book for a successful statesman and
Humanism that had a
We can identify five major streams of Renaissance
this period.
general impact on English literary tradition around
Classical Literature
Writers like Shakespeare and SirPhilip Sidney amply make it clear that
was the wealth of ancient
behind their treatment of man and his affaires
Thomas More'sUtopia
classical ideas: especially the Hellenictraditions. Sir
certainly influenced by Plato's Republic: Utopia is considered the
was concept of an ideal state
masterpiece of English humanism, embodying the
and barren society in which the
which would be the opposite of that inert
RENAISS ANCE AND THE L1ZABETHAN AGt

author lived. English educationists of the period Roger Ascham. S1r Thomas
Llyot, Sir John Cheke, and Sir Thomas Wilson. Sir Thomas Smith highitghted
the significance of not only Latin and Greek languages but are seen to be
extraordinarily preoccupied with Latinity Latin pleasures, Latin elegances
and Latin ways of living too !They wrote mostlv in Latin and recommended
fashioning English on the models set up by Latin and Greek Later on
Elizabethan writers showedgreater disposition to borrow and adopt poetic
craft, principles and mechanics, along with key philosophical ideas from
these classical sources, as we see in Spenser's is to be seen. Even at a later
date Sir Philip Sidney shows "the deliberate choice of classical principles tor
poetry and drama'
Scientific Qutlook
European explorers and scientists contributed significantly to the
development of scientific temperament which inspired in human mind the
spirit of enquiry independently. An atmosphere of greater freedom already
being promoted afforded scientific individuals larger scope to conduct ther
enquiries and evolve effective mcans in order to do so The first scientiic
academy for stellar observation in Naples symbolized this temperament This
and Copernican system replaced astrology with astronomy While Europe
was re-ordering its outlook in this way along scient1fic lines. English
voyagers launched upon great journeys of geographical discovery which
heiped the country assume the role of world-power in future Waves of
excitement created by world-wide exploratory voyages undertaken during
this period influenced a number of English authors whose works reflect it
amply. Men like Sir Walter Raleigh and Haklyut extended the horizon of
geographical aswell as social knowledge which came directly and influenced
and
anumber of writers from Shakespeare to Fletcher to Beaumont. Milton the
stirred
many others. The diaries,journals, travelogues and other occountsof new life
imagination of thinkers and reformers by the contemplation extensive
developing in new lands'. In the general quest for knowledge
kinds was
translation work from French, Italian and Latin works of diverse
of the
undertaken. Perhaps no other age witnessed such activity on the partCaxton,
Foxe,William
part of translators as this when Sir Thomas Nash,John
John Knox, William Painter, Geoffrey Fenton, and several others made
European works both literary
available to common reader the rich variety of
and non-literary.
Interest in Human Personality
Humanism is the
Perhaps the most prominent feature of Renaissance possibilities and
shift of interest from the universe to human being in all his being and his
potentialities. Creative genius sought to explore human
enigmaticcomplexities and give voice to his aspirations and experiences. It
a personality and
brought out and expressed those attributes that make physical, moral and
the
distinguish him from others. This preoccupation with such profound works as
intellectualcharacteristics resulted in the creation of Raphael,
those of Leonardo da vinci, Botticel!i, Celini, Michael Angelo,
 definite NowTemperament inthe MoralThe offer man. lyricalwhich thseries e Francis the acharacters
as explained
by
navigationalintroduced
by beauty Dante
Depiction of 104
ncerns
to A and for Polity
Browne, and questions protagonist's
the created based
Shakespeare's
retribution. temperament
humanistic and medieval
ges New matters Worthyexternalmedium Shakespeare the
such Sir logical liberal growth New was As of It
As the renaissance of is study of and
the poetry Bacon' s
(1594),
John moral T.G.
a Characters no
was through several flesh
and has outstanding
Aesthetic of
in
philosophy 'authority Learning in of prominent Boccacio
in been trealises authors
the In background
stance behaviour accident physique
anings Burton.
Robert Walsh's moral is slant which
rationalism; Commander)
Williams of explorations
of and
the downfall,
facttragedies and now his
John wake that the exploring
essays the
novel
tic noted certitudeof clear the that
a which was blind and Elizabethanmind others, more own the muscles, which
that
Awareness thinkers
translation Jewel's feature in of study in
in the ofwhole introduced enable person and the says, was 1614 provide artistic its
earlier,
the human to
faith men
literary-essay rounded,
Reformationmoral
period. show
Christianity.
derived emphasis
be
emergence and
humours' that glorious in
rather of trying
ess
ssance of of occupied
"The
and turn
of
Apology also
perception.
him may found and (theindividual external
approaches.
growth later of Elizabethen goodness the the others an than continued
Age women. ideal
Erasmus's Richardwhich basic take his
to in
have from outside was Renaissance mind". wil Milk fuller emphasizing to
contributed
nudity
centuries within'. to was with typified. or find
of for moral such of whichMaid,exampleemerged forces A
ichartist. were
movement up been Aauthority scientific
on live the experience
Sir temperament. and truth HISTORY
humanism the s
Hooke' The moral
is the human simultaneously.
drama, a curious varied andresult Thomas individualised' such This
These Enchiridion as discussed great rewarddifferent
Church attitude Literature
an
practical is the in in
ed Jeremy flisw orthodox personality. to
exquisite indicative
1he ofaround wasbeauty shaping
especially sources always spirit savourAffectionate of the and as as OF
ances created Lawsinvolved storm feature this Overbury
non-orthodox and a close this Portrayal Stars much texture andthe
ENGLISH
Taylor, of in responsible degree and and of and English
ure England of the sin Anglican interest all personal
cleared of as hadenquiry of time and Man beauty
new Ecclesiastical controversies
religious the the a of empirical
writings
classical that observation
the as exCiting
of the
Sir tragedy, visited flexibility this life Traveller,
published
degree
in being thosePlanets, of was
LITERATURE
interests, Thomas (1562), essential last helped universe. taste
and also the fstand.
or butmoral man human in
had even could
used done as
truthtonal too.
art led way and t he his and say. but not th e
is by a as to a of
RENAISSANCE AND THEELIZABETHAN AGE

from the religious authority. Formal art was nobutlonger the handmaiden of
'secure in its own
religion to be judged by something outside itself, rested
sharpen
laws". Classical aesthetic philosophy taught the renaissance man toconduct.
aspects as social
his aesthetic sense by applying it to such diverse More attention
personal manners cultivation of individual tastes, dresses etc. Ihe
Puttenham's
was expended on style and form which is evident in George the beginning of
Arte of English Poesie (1 589) in which is said to be found
*systematic theorizing on problems of style"."Style is the image of man , he
1'homme.
says which was much later echoed by Buffon in his Le styie c'est
add
This was an important aspect of Renaissance Humanism, for desire to
colour and beauty to life enriched and popularized the various types of artistiC
forms such as masques, mime, drama, fantasy, allegory, music, painting.
sculpture, etc. Contemporary literature shows what unusual emphas1s was
laid on manners and etiquette; the vogue welled and passed on, `but not
before it had enriched our literature'.
Reformation
Q72Write a short essay on English Peformation Movement.
What is known as Reformation Moven.ent was a revolution, an uprising
against the high privileges and unrestrainecliberties of the Medieval Church
which very nearly lost control over itself, cnd allowed all manner of abuses
and corruption to set in amongst its clergy, "yorging the carcass to the point of
bursting, as Erasmus observed in his Praise of Foliy. The Movement
received impetus from a series of political events occurring in rapid
succession during the reign of Henry VIII that occurred in the thick of the
Humanistic waves churning up English sciety. To some extent the anti
clerical feelings may be said to have received strength from the liberal
thinkers like Wolsey, Caxton, Roger Aschan, Sir Thomas More, and others,
but soon Reformist trends checked and retarded the growth of early English
Humanism: Renaissance in England was opposed and crossed by the
religious reformation. Many humanist thinkers who lent some forn of
support to reformist acts, later turned against it and had to face cruel
retribution. It was a social movement of coinplex currents and cross-currents.
However, as G.M. Trevelyan says, "The Retormation in England was at once
a political, a religious, and sOcial event. All three of its aspects were closelv
interwoven...anti-clericalism was the keynote of the movement of opion.
equally felt among the learned and the vulgar, which rendered possible the
breach with the Papacy and the dissolution of the Monasteries'" The
Inovement began in the second half of Henry VIlT's reign and
through the reign of Edward IV and Mary to the coming to the continued
Elizabeth I. Though some might be tempted to compare it with thethrone of
movement of the
fourteenth-century, the major difference Lollardy
movements lies in that the between the two
Reformationas was not just aimed
practices inthe Churches and monasteries at corrupt
the Lollard
but it was a major social revolution
independence for a Church repudiating which highlighted, Themovement had been,
claim national
of
the Pope's authority rendered
 movement. measures law, approved,
canon amount possible
proceedings
of and 106
reform".(Trevelyan: Catholic and the
115-16).
We Cambridgecruder social
1.
2. shall of the
beheaded
had refusedParliament
was 1529 break trial
grant failed
with married
Charles
a "Better
King the influence
clericalism
inroads
study hostile
upholders
iticism Erasmus
madedeeply King banished impugn
of
inAnti-clerical on favour
would Rome Similarly,
offices
of Sir restless religious subject
Henry see form constitute
diffusion
the to making so athimAnne to Henry
of Henry with to pay ruthless
off
Rome. in of
dissatisfiedand
to Tower to provide andPrincess V the
Renaissance of
Greek
of ofthe from or with
permission Boleyn of King the idolatry change of of
andVIIl's finally
the thburnt
acknowledgee gave VIII a the
the
igious Movement Thomas him the The headstrongSpain follöwing whic1 of
scho<asticmonks t
VIII supremacyhe th e social
Hill thedefiance
offor King
Tesjament price that him monasteriesclergy
Ghurchesand him and ofwho han which
declining fill at he the Papacy King, and constituted English
and
was Court. on with Aragon,
truth". and angry
and the stake
ofpesecuted
supreme support
divorce
to
wanted
person
the
the ruled paragraphs scholarship revolution.
relic-mongering, to
philosophy, himself
and The July, More, not furious a Pope": Henry th e
to friars,
and position
ofwas many his
and maleEmperor Bible
the the sent whotoeing to Catherine,
over among laity,
Workswhich athis the King 6, supremacy head seek
and
in among HISTORY A
clergy's the and passed Catherine atmarry heir.soon It
Pope.tSiher oath
1555. Church toProtestants the EnglandHenry some Henry's for VIl I and
as Oxford educated King' s
married vacated had the divorce of was
laymen.
Erasmus
like baser the executed of Pope's Besides, got
protagonists of her. Germany. Scholastic accompanied a the
and
life. adherence Tower
Catherine risenroyal the
the
tired a of the alchild
l OF
Simon corrupt support and and But close from VIl eyes classes, Taken
the substitution divisionENGLISH
opponents friends, in by but Church in
and They in 1553. so too. those obstinacy, Act his of of
beheadedMore
was
his
for
Wolsey,
wishes
at the he
asked Catherine 1485
and major the
Fish'sColet the had Henry
relation an
practices to final his rapidlyCardinal
to
the of own
of Pope the philosophy the newtogether,these of
of
were scholarly
were
whomen ofwhich Catholics
Supremacy orthodox
it with England. courts. him fallen to
Pope points destruction byLITERATURE
vast
obscurantism,
cation
appealed of Aragon disapprovalbreach fell same resolved refused being
VIII,
1509 of
learning, just
especially
that he to who of Oxford estates
that several his
Wolsey attend in of
feared out love King had this and and that
direct was with life. time who He The to to had
as had ant i of in
a
 RENAISSANCE

4. 3.
han Number Canons,Abbots, anddeep-seated
your "In of
movement.which,
thinking
enevery The foundvirtually
movement the The monasteries
ground. economicnew
properties. and soldland, was The emptied The includingThe andterror monasteries and whochurch The book). manors, tbegged
assertionKing's Bible merchant began of f seized King New monasteries
royal was was th e counterfeit,realm the the AND
man'ins supported glory. some between and king lands sotFriars,
his Priors,
times Beggars
to due appointed third THE
it. had This
for revolt and the
balances; th e Aristocracy
of of was coiffures gold deeplyclergy. importunately an of
corruption
on acquiring These to and
having idle ELIZABETHAN
created Seentranslating
In was of the
the new class merchants. it the in the was 1536 and part Deacons, holyother yourabounded
the
Supremacy was need
nunneries Hundred were influenced In seizing Pardoners
ruinous
initially
rds right from by Reformation against aristocracy
former whodramatic captured as Territories of
an major
a given of thus and the repudiated
this all and sort,nobleamong
several wealth destroyed, 1542 the that sort,
mosphere money started Lord he your Archdeacons, idle (not
ofto another
advocated the the church had This to years lands and predecessors in AGE
read and and and by was th ey beggars
G.M. Bible Romanof gainedchangesmerchant being schools in are which of England the
others, the and Churches, and placed
Chencellor.
Machiavelli' s realms Sermoners.
the buildings influential getting
of which
a assisted and
Papacy theirs". have impotent churchman.
an, thangle, at in
national had in since War. huge (setting and
Bible in
English Papacy power and other gotten
snowballed strong brought class a filled at a ? Suffragans, past,exposing
provided
and perhaps begun colleges
position couldnot the he th
quantity e large
He
by The vogabond...the but)
andcomponent and the began (quoted into all And
properties craftily
"The to terms church.
language was had
enormous disposalup number unleashedpolitical goodliest labour of
basking
building money about ruthless and
erstand which their who strong,
ncyimpetus the intoaccompanied by to and
merged of dissolving in Priests,
crept
However, newobtain chunks the retain possess1ons ofphilosophyof belonging Trevelyan's handsaside) is abusing
renaissance Johna was in to of had th e Cromwell
a lordships,
to gaining
veritable the become was it recently rest
spacious all
churchesreign ableBishops,
Monks, puissant into
was what it. Wycliff new socio these was that been King. more have
the the to
this the 107
to is is It the by of of to
 ed of unlikebalancesGama,
particular
focus explanation
voyages anddoors
ignaled mpact Latimer,
and Miles th versies
tracts,
at and Xaithe
unit against
Q.3. versionwasand were place example
Engiish available
arying inventions on We varying
activities rendered
The anothercommissioned
authoritative
Testament monasticof
cussion'. have development
COurse. the teachings
This were several promoted
e' dates. and a
of liberal, endEvaluate in of issued treatises, inculcating
generated medieval
period and ideas was carriedCambridge to Coverdale, married
others
exploration of already Renaissance translation,
version
Tyndale th e John
types attitudes.
We the in of circumstances,there. directly
do others
responsible of and and English in it Bible Jewel, separation
tend for astronomical rational, the
the the pamphlets in doctrinestate,
that Inperiods were science closed seen of out It
doctrines 1555; to in of a this
by
appointed
the went William are William big religious
impact French English outside scholars another
from translate
had this to made It
carried
is
is all and and
ately group and that notable version
the Cranmer' s indelibly way from that lO
unnnection not and order on for the England", New to movement
are
possiblephenomena, Renaissance English open religious of and Geneva Cologne its and
of reformist the England. had
Hebrew. one to the English feelings.
past possible
convenient geography
out of Martin that were till be Testament Whillingham, books Tyndale, world".the deaiCatc
the
h system Renaissance rise been debates
led events by medieval
of
1568° readBiblewhole associated true
most
we and reformer of in Bible,
the Miles
r, to Christopher by of LiteratureProtestantism writingsLuther was It close visiting where to proseproduced a
The life
must proper Kepler in of Old (Snell: inwas of
into changes scholasticism
the stretches as
thought. the churches in the Thomas both Familywas a of
witnessed Europe, on determined natural, a
founded
Coverdale
Bible he wit h writings. great
ablein bear a to English Calvin translations touch
EuropeanTestament translation quarto comimon John 'religion'
specific and in 57). arranged in
he a and the Latin
in locate of in
Columbus, The
particularly significant with as Foxe, numberreligious
large
l mind time Galileo' the s aiso intherefore, And and
upon efforts Cranmer,
great Literature. the the "there
was people. The
order
social-political the in and
influenced
country,
and centres
of
the which of
remained
then to John Englishand significant was
non that changes and Copernicus's first names
discoveries opened guided reformist the the Tyndale'officially s print to celibacy
ge 'useful not Vascoworks, manner. that was prints
was
make Knox Hugh
contro
changes in Bible under was New yet the
f. facts. Italy and the the no the For of of
to a dathe
in the its
RENAISSANCE AND THE ELIZABETHAN AGE

and culmination of these

Renaissance came to symbolize the fruition
theatre and several other areas
changes; in art, architecture, music. poetry, new Graeo-Roman cultural
uses of
Changes were guided by enthusjastic in the
aesthetic value-systems, and particularly England a revived interest
in
medieval pagan1sm.
New Perception and Values
English literature was
The most significant impact of the Renaissance on wvas placed in the
Seen in the change of perception of human being. Man
his inner world. ln
Centre of the universe and writers tried to delve deep into
the wordsof Williams, "Now he looked inward into his own soul, seeking the
meaning of experience in terms of his own free individuality" (Williams: 78).
The great uprise of secular writings embodied in the poems and sonnets of the
Earl of Surrey, Thomas Wyatt and Sidney, Sir Thomas More's Utopia, John
Heywood's Interludes as well as the unique of writings of Thomas Sackvile
concern with man's emotions and experiences
So strangely, alas, thy works in me prevail,
That in ny woes for thee thou art my joy,
And in my joys for thee my only annoy.
-Sidney's Astrophel t Stella
Virgil, Plato, Seneca, Terence, Ovid, Petrarch and other great classical
masters taught English masters to find the greatest joys and meaning in the
deeds and destinies of man. The portrayal of man, therefore, became fuller,
richer and morecomplex. Petrarchan Sonnets as translated and imported by
Wvatt and Surrey introduced a new image of lover as a tormented, rejected
being.
to heart's forest he fleeth,
Leaving his enterprise with pain ànd cry.
and fashioned an impassioned language that celebrated in bold terms human
emotions. Similarly, gloomy perception of th~ miserable endof the great ones
in history that we find in Thomas Sackville
(1536-1608) was
Dante's Inferno. Right from Surrey and Wyatt to Marlowe andawakened
by
Jonson man
occupied the centrestage in all his mystifying nature offering infinite
possibilities of interpretation and portrayals.
child, HÍnour's Muse, sing in my voice!
O
Riches and Conquest and renoun Ising.
This was worldlyman marked by wordly desires and urges,-George Chapman
aspirations and
dreams, at once strong and weak as
Shakespeare's Macbeth is.
human naturein terms of 'humours' was a
new attempt at Bescriptionmanof
in terms of his inner make-up. Ben
humours. "Taking some Jonson's comedies areunderstanding
based upon these
idiosyncracy, folly, affectation or
passion as a starting point, he worked this up into
up the detail with every circumstance which
a
dramatic
might throwthe
overmastering
portrait, filling
humour' into
110 AHISTORY OF ENGLISH LITERATURE

relief". Tamburlaine, Barabas, The Jew of Malta, Dr. Faustus, all reveal the
Renaissance author's inexhaustible curiosity in human nature.
Classical Elements
Renaissance opened out a great mythical world to English writers which
not only enriched their literary repertoire but added a new angle to the
comprehension and interpretation of like problems. The comedies of
Terence, Plautus were staged in the grammar sçhools, as for example, before
1541 Nicholas Udall staged a comedy called Ralph Roister Doister
modeled on Plautus. Another early comedy was Garmine Gurton's Needle
whose form was borrowed from the Latin model. Ulysses, Bacchus, and
Hymen, Nymphs of Spenser, Diana and Cupid, Helen and Troy and numerous
other characters and persoified elements came into English literature during
this period and added a /ew dimension to it. Works like John Lydgates,
(1370-1451) The StoryoThebes and TroyBook, John Lyly's Endimions
and Saphoand Phao are examples.
Sonnet was introduced by Wyatt, and Earl of Surrey from Italian poetry.
translations from the
Among Wyatts, 120surviving poems more than 70were
Italian originals. In C.S. Lewis's opinion,Wyatt's 'Myneolde dere enmy my
forward maister' is in fact a version of Petrarch's canzone Quel antiquomio
directly
dolce". Several other metrical and stanzaic innovations were
French
borrowed from Italian literature such as terza rima, enjambments,
rhyming was
rondeau, and so on. Under the classical influence the fashion of
considerably lessened as the blank verse popularized by Surrey soon was
fruitfully exploited by
seen to contain immense possibilities that were so The Aenceid
several authors. Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey's translationtoofand fro of an
Books II and IV show that Virgil's hexameters, and
sound right when rendered
unrhymed and inflected language could just aboutmeasure had only seemed
in English blank verse. Before Surrey heroic
possible in rhyme but here he was measuring the shape of Virgil's writing in
Pitcher: 75).
English speech rhythms, and run-on". (John
That Paris now,with his unmanly sort,
With mitred hats, with oynted bush and beard,
His rape enjoyeth: Whiles to thy temples we
Our offrings bring,and followrumours vain
(IV, 276-9)

Classicism and Drama

was drama that came under direct influence of the classical
It French
conventions. Translationswhich were made from:Latin, Italian and
exposure to new literary elements and trends, forms and themes
gave a good dramatists. Thus the small and somewhat
which were extensively used by
chiefly on the extension of
halting dramatic endeavours which relied Redford's Marriage of Wit
medieval and other native forms such as John that is Christ, were either totally
and Science or A Moralityiof the Wisdom orated with it.
RENAISSANCE AND THE ELIZABETHAN AGE

with the
The best example of the native material being combired
classical elements is Nicholas Udall's. Roister Doister which is regarded as
Ages to the
the translation from the mysteries and interludes of the Middle who
comedies of more modern times. Udall was a renowned Latin scholar
a collection of quotations from
had published Flowers of Latin Speeking, itself
Terence's three comedies. Roister Doister is claimed to be based on
Miles Gloriosus of Plautus.
It must be noted here that it was common practice then of staging Latin
Dido
plays in schools and universities, John Rtwyse himself had written
which his pupils had acted in the presence of Cardinal Wolsey. ItWhile was
common practice to select from the comedies of Terence and Plautus.
Roister Doister was written in Alexandrine in rhymed couplets, Gorboduc
was written in the newly-found blank verse. This play of Sackvilleand Norton
is considered to be the first English tragedy and staged at the Inner Templewarin
1561-62. Though the plot is drawn from the native tradition of bitter
arising out of contest betvween the son of Gorboduc, Ferrex and Ferrex for the
kingdom, divison of the play into acts and scenes was done on the classical
model and is said to be the first such organization of a play in English.
Richard Edward's Damon and Pythias was termed by the author as
tragedical comedy' and is based on the precepts of Horace. This play also
demonstrates hovw the 'air of fidelity to the antique' was with the classical
elements which is also seen in another play Palamon and Arcite (1566).
Ariosto's ISupposito influenced George Gascoigne so much that he
translated it with the title The Supposes. This is the first English prose
comedy, though Ariosto's work iswritten in avariety of blankverse known as
endecasillabi sdruccioli, Jocasta is another of Gascoigne's translations in
which he was assisted by Francis Kiwelmarsh. This play was written by the
contemporary Italian poet Ludovico Dolce who had written in imitation of
Euripides' Phoenissae 'with Senecan lyric Charm'. In matters of metres, this
translation made adeparture from the original and used blank verse more
suitable to English language.
Seneca and the English Playwrights
Perhaps the singlemost potential classical influence on Elizabethan
theatre was Seneca (4 B.C.-165 A.D.) whose examples 'did much to shape
Elizabethan tragedy'. His plays also influenced French and Italian plays,
which were written on the strict Senecan pattern for their theatres. In England
where there already existed a strong native tradition it was necessary to work
out adiligent combination of the native material with the modern elements as
it was seen that pure classical tragedy was not well received by the audience.
Nevertheless there was a vigorous activity between 1559 and 1581l devoted to
Iranslating Seneca's plays which introduced the 'most violent Greek myths
dealing with revenge, murder and incest' (Helen Morris: 140). However, at
this stage most of it was not 'acted', but the nuntius or messengers used to
recount them. Senecan precepts also introduced appearance of ghosts which
the later Elizabethans so magnificently utilized, in their tragedies. and long
 nt Pacultwriters
observesErasmus'
and s the composed
TheworksElizabethan ofSir the printed
continental
prose. De beliefs
prose
Aurea distinguished mutualbased
Plato'
formulasscontroversies
Enchiridion theimpetus
of Castigliones'
studiedprominently from Writings
education many Amnicitia ProsePikeryng' s (partly in
Pythias it inaghosts
the
nd frinstrumental
om political
As monologues was |12
Francesco Governor Helen
which
of of"he De (Golden by not is amiable on
isRepublic Latin,
As single-line
King
fascinating Seneca: knOwn
Latin allowed. and in tragedy, crying
ess
whatever Greece Institutio of Laudibus De
Caxton.difficult
respect to
translated drama, cockney
(1564), allusions,
Morris
reinforced Titu prose translation
which French,active, Combyses' in as
alternating
Patrizisgovernors (pub. tracts. Legend). through co-existence scholls".Sir in The
melodramatic
dialogue. for
and Iight-reading for
which the partly moulding
Principis 1531)Edwardi legum
lo
Caxton
Although
writers
to equality presented Courtier, virtually soHorestes
Italian Cambyses vengeance, Stichamythia.
Pistol says,
satirical
we He John French wake by
and Rome. these De There imagine.The visualizes activities. English in comedy; vein. and "the
egant may of and
Angliae.
translated
Firtesque of Thomas of and prose Seneca'
Falstaf:
s and with
Regno the also Utopia where the references
popular
ThusChristian1,
nowfountains contained Comitis was version the of the
Reformation Plato' s only
Spanish (1567),Senecan moralizingplots,
(1567).
developing
cut-and-thrust
tuture. material printed period several true writers. works part Senecas
an high-falutin
ion". think a et
number Regis Sir St. virtualy
was Earl written
of
is l
religious ideal
More' s
alsuperiority William
Republic, shaping classical,tricks
Appius
'f or long
dramatists replete
of He Augustine's
Marchai a Jacobus Circumstances masters. to o I
of Giovann1 herepoem
supply
Thomas a prolificwhich a
Laurent of used, diverse
commonwealth, Utopia the
must speechesElizabethanmature HISTORY A
choruses,
its of flood Warwick its in movement
Tyndale spirit, abound
Institutione. Latin part speak style with single-line
practical made and de doctrines of Machiavelli' s
continental and to ok
vintages Elyot'
tos translator must of de direct strands and
by s Henry
Pontano' one De Premierfait Christian
was especially native) in inwas the made antirhetorical OF
draining use renderings
English
Voragine' of s
'Englished' which translated several Virginia many style
value, to
contributed remarkable
of
Civitate influenced
of have impact
ofare a
directly gave born passion
such crudelyuseful. theses ENGLISTLITERATURE
by dialogue'
Helen De such VIII his and language life out influences as such
thinking social
tolerated extraordinary works those Il Damon 'mixed'`messengerdying hints and devices
the memorable Deri also which on inspired to Principes, of (1567) andI
lacked Princine works deals LegendaCicero' s
English Erasmus, the religious imitated and
paradox.
as
classicMorris writer system coming wi l oblique or
with book was most dry were plays heroes, ideas were what
no as
and and and by are and and doas
a
 S

barricade, the Latin;Rome, Europeans";

literature, that
of linguistic There
degree
Classicism Richard designated
influence the readers eyes, SOCrazerevolutionized
therefore,alliteration, great makingwIdely
nas Weakfiction hint RENAISSANCE
took
also
of Horace of AND
Elvot
suchbelliboneShakespeare
acceptarnce not extract,
explication,
replicate, WereVocabulary general
catastrophe,
English on. today Greek,Koger
only importance while. Close term. them among
terms and not but but occurred "Sharp as
to feeling. English Stanghurst and treat become the intelligible". in
whose
expostulation, used people
I influence the elements contact were
Among a warnm rhyme, "deprecating Ascham
asSir ('a ofhis is muster, was worship London but resurgent writers Euphues (1579)
work work English
meditate, same and contemporary Frosts English Aristotle from in
Thomas fair newdaring
ble, reputed earlier: Nevertheless,
English language
not Edward me'.
getting of with too."Latin only English Blood synonymous of On AGETHE
ELIZABETHAN
maid) words celerity, renaissarnce
th e with and other Al assonance,
l bite f or Roger (1515)
the better; fiction Prose is the
and toimpertinency, a from Joh Athenian hi s it. was
English, new continental litter
lofty Art
More,
which of havepell-mell.
resourceful were dire, classical rich in
influx
anand
Bourchier.
notable
Hall, stylistic
Forward
must The Ascham' s was
IRenaissance the writers. with John
any agile, etc. favour
patriotism had Language
enriched allusions typical with discussed. of
possessed
introduced with exuberance come
on,strong was Shakespeate with these classical
been of
John
rhetoritician,
English Springs', a Lyly ushiesof steeped
Shooting
and
name and
kind". Latin brilliance Lyly'slender
s
coined critical, linguisti: thiswords taly, ideas sources Bate, D. J. from Lyly
ocates use cavalier, such reviyal the and to its
(1554 ambitiousclassical learningin
ble-Baugh: the by words and sc . . authors classical style, secuel Arother
b:t had cemmon ar:d the style plot figures
on largest of
words of iove rces was enlarged also John Snell
in burst Brinish
If simple,
homelydedicated
act, words, the horrid,
likehimself features RichardEngland begun several the heart', "Euphuism" uses Euphues and ?-1606).
belle modest, of for infused more affected whoremarks, upon
of intimation, pedants the Stow, strictly orandnarrative prominently great subjects"
prose
,sms, vocabulary;
et but hereditary, usedpuerile, their tolanguage it anti-thesiS,
Thouwaternative
balance to
nationalistic plastic". literary is came and He
bonne.232). in Mulcasters
continued. more; fire a to Williamtechnical Henry
armada, language: number and is
part like many the a an dazzled
under "Lyly mythology, comes which work known (Snell:
words
most `as 122)ProteSsor
Hebeing
elements, of hast
Spenser insinuation, to allurement. imagination I new It appreciable his whenever
writerwno
ced Sir Holofernes. This words honour isall tollowsVIll
his emulate, palsado. spirit educated of Harrison,
classical triedfrom created England. the
Thomas feelings echo ILove notable
English sense may both
tor
ready is ways. boOk
uses due that the the but
of be his me, the and
his tne 113
in a