Renaissance Lecture Notes

1. Wilkerson, Pam. “Renaissance Lecture Notes.” Class Notes. January 7, 2013. Renaissance Lecture Notes

2. (Early) Modern English Language • Caxton Printing Press • Developed in 1475 • Looked like handwriting • Established early forms of spelling and grammar • Inflections • Word forms dropped • Endings added instead (--eth and –est) • Spelling • Printing press and Great Vowel Shift influenced spelling • Spoken word no longer matched spelling

3. (Early) Modern English Language • Great Vowel Shift • Borrowing • Acquired more words with trade, travel, and expansion of territories • Latin and Greek words

4. (Early) Modern English Language • Dictionaries • English grammar rules paralleled Latin • First dictionaries only included “difficult” words for scholars • Later dictionaries included common words, etymology, parts of speech, quotation, pronunciation, and illustrations • Style • Plain style used by Puritans and scientists • Ornate style used by scholars, writers, and Anglicans (called Cavaliers) • Inkhorn terms (terms written but rarely spoken) • Euphuisms (metaphors, allusions, etc.) • Metaphysical conceits (extended metaphors) • Shakespeare represents both styles in his plays: common language (prose) and elevated language (poetry)

5. “Renaissance” • Literally means “Rebirth” • Started in Italy • Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo • Galileo and Columbus • More education for all classes • Return to the Classics • Latin and Greek • Curiosity about self and world • Renewal of human spirit

6. Humanism • Asked questions like: • What is a human being? • What is a good life? • How do I lead a good life? • Stressed the importance of human life on earth (over afterlife and religion) • Delighted in arts and literature and nature • Knowledge of human mind and achievement • Individual and human potential • Positive perspective on humanity

7. Reformation of Church • Attempt to “reform” church practices • Desired a break from the Roman Catholic church in Italy • Recognized corruption • Recognized stray from Bible teaching to ritual practices • Henry VIII prompted the split for personal reasons, but masses supported

8. Henry VIII • Catherine of Aragon • Daughter Mary • Prompted split from the Catholic Church • Formed own church—Anglican Church or Church of England • Divorced Catherine • Anne Boleyn • Long-time mistress, Catherine’s attendant • Daughter Elizabeth • Beheaded Anne for being unfaithful

9. Henry VIII • Jane Seymour • Son Edward • Jane died shortly after Edward’s birth • Anne of Cleves • Divorced • Catherine Howard • Beheaded • Catherine Parr • Survived

10. Henry’s Successors • Edward • 9 years old • Sick, ruled by name only • Mary • Devote Catholic • Tried to force Catholic faith • Known as “Bloody Mary” • Married to Philip II of Spain • No children • Died of tumors—cancer, perhaps

11. Henry’s Successors • Elizabeth I • Restored Anglican Church • Contemplated King Philip’s marriage proposal • (Philip had been married to Bloody Mary) • Beheaded cousin Mary Queen of Scots • 20 years of betrayal to take throne • Defeated Philip of Spain in the Spanish Armada • Supported and contributed to Renaissance • Really good at “riding the fence” to avoid conflict

12. Elizabeth’s Successors • James VI of Scotland • Mary Queen of Scot’s son • Elizabeth’s nephew • Total opposite of Elizabeth • Spender • Thick-tongued and goggle-eyed • Foreigner • Charles I • James’s son • Ruled by force (divine rule) • Refused to call Parliament for 11 years • Supported extravagant church rituals • Beheaded by people in 1649

13. Elizabeth’s Successors • Oliver Cromwell • Puritan leader • Shut down theaters • Made Sunday a “day of rest” • Richard Cromwell • Ineffective • Overthrown • Charles II • Returned from exile to rule in 1660 • Renaissance declined, Restoration began • Puritans leave England • America settled

14. Differences in Religious Beliefs