“the Spirit of Renaissance and Elizabethan Era” - 5448 Words

The English Renaissance was a cultural and artistic movement in England dating from the early 16th century to the early 17th century. It is associated with the pan-European Renaissance that many cultural historians believe originated in Tuscany in the 14th century. This era in English cultural history is sometimes referred to as the age of Shakespeare or the Elizabethan era, the first period in English and British history to be named after a reigning monarch. Renaissance literally means rebirth. It refers especially to the rebirth of learning that began in Italy in the fourteenth century, spread to the north, including England, by the sixteenth century, and ended in the north in the mid-seventeenth century (earlier in Italy).†¦show more content†¦The idea of the Renaissance has come under increased criticism by many cultural historians, and some have contended that the English Renaissance has no real tie with the artistic achievements and aims of the northern Italian artists (Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Donatello) who are closely identified with the Renaissance. Indeed, England had already experienced a flourishing of literature over 200 years before the time of Shakespeare when Geoffrey Chaucer was working. Chaucers popularizing of English as a medium of literary composition rather than Latin occurred only 50 years after Dante had started using Italian for serious poetry. At the same time William Langland, author of Piers Plowman, and John Gower were also writing in English. The Hundred Years War and the subsequent civil war in England known as the Wars of the Roses probably hampered artistic endeavor until the relatively peaceful and stable reign of Elizabeth I allowed drama in particular to develop. Even during these war years, though, Thomas Malory, author of Le Morte DArthur, was a notable figure. For this reason, scholars find the singularity of the period called the English Renaissance questionable; C. S. Lewis, a professor of Medieval and Renaissance literature at Oxford and Cambridge, famously remarked to a colleague that he had discovered that there was no English Renaissance, and that if there had been one, it had no effect whatsoever. Historians have also begun to consider the wordShow MoreRelatedEssay on Renaisssance versus Baroque Periods967 Words   |  4 Pagesbaroque and renaissance periods are two different periods. 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It follows the Renaissance era (1400-1600)Read MoreThe Elizabethan Era 1663 Words   |  7 Pagesentertainment during the Elizabethan era. Musicians composed new types of music, poets expressed their feeling through poetry, and playwrights wrote plays of different types of genres. Social classes and gender roles also contributed to the entertainment culture. During the Elizabethan era, people were entertained by sources of entertainment, such as plays, music, and poetry. Music was one of the many sources of entertainment during the Elizabethan Era. Elizabethan music was more refined andRead MoreThe Elizabethan Era1595 Words   |  6 Pageseffects including singing spirits and vanishing objects to be showcased on stage in the 16th and 17th centuries; however, in the Elizabethan Era, theater was being taken to new heights and the unexpected was taking place frequently. Queen Elizabeth had a love for the arts, especially theater written by Shakespeare. 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It was an age considered to be the height of the English Renaissance, and saw the full flowering of English literature and English poetry. In Elizabethan theater, William Shakespeare, among others, composed and staged plays in a variety of settings that broke away from Englands pa st style of plays. It was an age of expansion and explorationRead MoreEssay about Elizabethan Theater1308 Words   |  6 Pages Elizabethan Theater Drama changed literature and theater into what it is today. I. History of Elizabethan Theater a. forming of theater 1. medieval church 2. mystery and morality b. actors 1. rogues and thieves 2. acting guilds II. Influences and people a. commanding actors 1. Shakespeare 2. Burbage b. other 1. wars of the roses (other historical influences) 2. laws restricting theater III. 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Shakespeare stands as a colossus in the English literary arena and his plays are considered as the greatest writings. These plays are rich and are suggested works for pursuing women’s studies and gender ideologies. His plays depicted the social status and responsibilities of women in the society. He seemed to support the English renaissance stereotypes of men and womenRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Female Characters1232 Words   |  5 Pagesmetaphor for the way Ophelia had been living her life. Allowing herself to be held down by the will of her brother, and father, and abusive boyfriend. Rather than just making decisions for herself. Then we have smart, independent women whose spirits are eventually conquered by their lovers. Katherine (or Kate) is the title character in Taming of the Shrew. She is the eldest daughter of Baptista Minola. No man wanted anything to do with her because she possessed a hot temper and was known to shred