English Renaissance

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 4

Lesson: the Renaissance

During this class, we are going to try to capture the most important events of the British Renaissance (1500-1670). This class will have the same structure as the previous class, which means that it includes several informative slides as well as a set of slides with questions. We'll start with a recap of general information, and then move on to the influence of the Renaissance on different parts of British culture. Good luck!

Renaissance: Britain

- Roughly around 1500-1670 

- Introduced to England by Henry Tudor VII  (1485 - 1547)

- Highlights during the Elizabethan era (1558 - 1603)

- Carpe Diem

- Rise of Humanism (''man is the measure of all things'')

Leonardo da Vinci's Vitruvian Man (c. 1490) shows the correlations of ideal human body proportions with geometry described by the ancient Roman architect Vitruvius in his De Architectura. Vitruvius described the human figure as being like the principal source of proportion among the Classical orders of architecture.

Politics during the Renaissance

The Renaissance started during Henry VII's reign(1485-1547) and ended in the Elizabethan Era(1559-1603). In between, Henry VIII was king(1509-1547), his son Edward I (1547-1553) too, and Mary I (1553-1603) was queen. 

Religion

Reformation, Protestantism, Bloody Mary, Church of England.. Watch the following prezi powerpoint to see how it all fits together!

https://prezi.com/0g5ozilukodq/religion-in-renaissance-england/

Social Life

The rise of social classes: Merchants, noblemen, tradesmen, peasants.
"In this period England’s population doubled; prices rocketed, rents followed, old social loyalties dissolved, and new industrial, agricultural, and commercial veins were first tapped. Real wages hit an all-time low in the 1620s, and social relations were plunged into a state of fluidity from which the merchant and the ambitious lesser gentleman profited at the expense of the aristocrat and the labourer, as satires and comedies current from the 1590s complain."

Renaissance art

• Before artists worked only for the church
• Now artists could work for rich merchants
• Art becomes more realistic, positive, more
   technical and with a smaller focus on
   religion.

Language

Early Modern English

Early Modern English is said to span roughly the years from 1500 until 1800. This period is termed the Renaissance.

The language of this Elizabethan age is much more closely related to our modern English today than, say, the language of Chaucer in The Canterbury Tales. Although Elizabethan English would be strange to the modern ear, we would understand it.

A strong influence on the English language during Renaissance times was the revival of classical scholarship, which saw an increase in the numbers of Greek and Latin words incorporated into English.

This influx of new words again increased the richness of English vocabulary still further with many new words introduced into the language.

Literature

• "The most brilliant period of all time"
• Drama, romance, tragedy (Greek & Latin influence)
• Focus on 'man and his emotions'
• Poetry, plays, essays, sonnets
• Shakespeare's time

Assignment

You just viewed some slides on some of the most influential aspects of the English Renaissance period. The next few slides will include questions about these aspects which you need to answer. You can use the sources in this lesson and your literature booklet to come up with answers. 

Which conflict led to the Tudor reign? And how was it resolved?

What was Henry VIII's biggest frustration with regard to his succession?

1. He had no legitimate son
2. He wanted to reign longer
3. He feared to be abdicated
4. He wanted his wife to become Queen

What kind of art is this?

1. Medieval art
2. Renaissance art

What kind of art is this?

1. Medieval art
2. Renaissance art

What kind of art is this?

1. Medieval art
2. Renaissance art

A Renaissance man should posses which of the following qualities?

1. Charming & Witty
2. Be able to dance and sing
3. Write poetry
4. All of the above

What was the name of the Theatre Shakespeare's plays were performed?

1. The Spirit
2. The Class
3. The Globe
4. The Centre

Why did Mary I get the nickname 'Bloody Mary'?

In which period of English history was Shakespeare alive?

1. Elizabethan
2. Georgian
3. Victorian
4. Edwardian

Extra Questions

At this point we've discussed and tested some basic knowledge about the British Renaissance. The following slides will include some more questions that are perhaps more challenging. See if you can come up with interesting answers! Again, use all the sources you have. 

"There was a spark of interest in the tangible things in life". How does this relate to the rise of humanism?

Why is the Elizabethan era also referred to as ''the Golden Age''?

How could someone criticise people who call the Elizabethan Era a Golden Age? Think of social classes.

End of Class

Next week: an introduction to Shakespeare