British Poetry & Drama

Sarala Birla University
British
Poetry&Drama
Renaissance & Reformation in European Art & Literature
Jas Preet Kushwaha

SBU200411
One can have no smaller or greater mastery than mastery
of oneself
-
Leonardo da Vinci
Renaissance
• T H E T E R M ' R E N A I S S A N C E ' L I T E R A L LY M E A N S R E B I R T H
O R R E V I VA L .
• I T WA S A C O M P L E X T R A N S I T I O N A L M O V E M E N T W H I C H
TOOK PLACE IN EUROPE BETWEEN 14TH TO 17TH
CENTURIES.
• I T S T R E S S E D O N R AT I O N A L T H I N K I N G A N D H U M A N I S M .
• DURING RENAISSANCE, MANY DEVELOPMENTS TOOK
P L A C E I N L I T E R AT U R E , A R T , A R C H I T E C T U R E , S C I E N C E
AND TECHNOLOGY
Two events make it convenient to consider the true beginning of the Renaissance as
coming about around 1450 AD:
1. The Fall of Constantinople
2. European Invention of Printing Press

Renaissancers
Italy was flooded with “lost” classics from the ancient world,
and artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli, Michelangelo,
Raphael and Donatello took their tales, heroes and gods as a
starting point to creating extraordinary art.
Influence on Literature
• T H E T H E L I T E R AT U R E A N D P O E T R Y O F T H E
R E N A I S S A N C E WA S L A R G E LY I N F L U E N C E D B Y T H E
D E V E L O P I N G S C I E N C E A N D P H I L O S O P H Y.
• THE HUMANIST FRANCESCO PETRARCH, A KEY FIGURE
I N T H E R E N E W E D S E N S E O F S C H O L A R S H I P, WA S A L S O
A N A C C O M P L I S H E D P O E T, P U B L I S H I N G S E V E R A L
I M P O R T A N T W O R K S O F P O E T R Y.
Influence on Elizabethan Literature
• The Renaissance had tremendous influence on the literary works that were produced in England during those years.
• It had such an impact on English literature that it was said that “every breeze was dusty with the pollen of Greece, Italy and France.”
• In Elizabethan literature we see the conventions of pastoral poetry.
• The lyric also became very popular and most of the plays present excellent examples of lyric poetry. Being a personal expression, lyric poetry always flourishes in the individualistic age.
Influence on Elizabethan Drama
• The Renaissance had tremendous influence Influence on Elizabethan Drama
• The revival of interest in Latin drama and the discovery of Greek tragedy also made an impact on the dramatic practices of this age.
• The existing drama was episodic in nature and depending upon the impact of Renaissance, we observe how significant structural changes were introduced to it. Newer conventions were introduced, till now unknown to the indigenous tradition.
• The Classical drama could not be assimilated entirely. However, many useful devices
were borrowed from dramatists like Seneca.

Humanism
Humanism refers to the learning and cultural impulse that is
characterized by a revival of Classical letters, individualistic and
critical spirit and a shift of emphasis from religious to secular
concerns that flowered during the Renaissance.
• Although humanism gradually became identified with classroom study of the Classics, it more probably embraced any
attitude that exalted man’s relationship to God and freewill and man’s superiority over nature.
• Reviving the study of Greek and Roman history, philosophy and arts, the renaissance humanists developed an image of
man, more positive and hopeful than that of medieval ascetic Christianity. Rather than being a miserable sinner awaiting
redemption, man was regarded as a source of infinite possibilities, ideally developing towards a balance of physical,
spiritual, moral and intellectual faculties.
•Humanism stands for the values and ideals of the European Renaissance which placed great emphasis on the expansion of
human
— R I Ccapacities.
KI LAKE
• Shakespeare’s Hamlet expressed the spirit of Humanism thus: "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!"
Reformation
Reformation, also called Protestant Reformation, the religious revolution that took place in the
Western church in the 16th century, Having far-reaching political, economic, and social
effects.Reformation resulted in the establishment of the various Reformed or Protestant churches of
Central or North-Western Europe. It's principle leaders were Martin Luther in Germany, Calvin in
Geneva and J. Knox in Scotland . he principle points of Reformation advocated by the Reformers
were the general use and authority of the scriptures and the need of justification by faith. They
opposed the authority of the Pope in Rome, the worship of Virgin Mary and propagated the idea of
• Many religious pamphlets and tracts were produced during this period.
the supremacy and worship of God.
• A major work which became a landmark in the history of English literature was
the compilation and publication of the Authorized Version of the Bible under
James I in 1611. This had a major influence
— RICKI LAKE
on the English prose style.
• The Reformation saw the growth of many theological writings which led to the
development of English prose.
Contrasting
Renaissance & Reformation
While Renaissance catered to the intellectual needs of man, the Reformation was responsible for
awakening his spiritual nature. While there was revival of Classical literature on the one hand,
people grew more interested in reading the Bible on the other
• Since the Renaissance and Reformation were two different aspects of the same intellectual current, the two movements
were more or less contemporary.
• In Italy where Renaissance was strongest the Reformation was hardly felt.
• In Germany, where all the energy went into the Reformation, there is really
no Renaissance.
• In France and England, both movements were felt but neither in its full concentration.

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Sarala Birla University

Renaissance & Reformation in European Art & Literature

Jas Preet Kushwaha

1. The Fall of Constantinople

2. European Invention of Printing Press

• In Elizabethan literature we see the conventions of pastoral poetry.

• The Renaissance had tremendous influence Influence on Elizabethan Drama

were borrowed from dramatists like Seneca.

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