Renaissance Period Summary | Renaissance Period Features

Renaissance Period, Renaissance Period Summary, Renaissance Period Features, Renaissance Period Writers, Renaissance Period Historical Events.

Name: Renaissance Period
Duration: 1500-1600

Renaissance Period Summary, Try.Fulfil

Renaissance Period - Historical events:

Some most significant historical events happened in this period. These are: Black Death, Rise of Florence, The Peace of Augsburg, Politics and Reformation etc.

Renaissance Period: Literary Features:

Re-birth or Re-generation,
Humanism,
Desire for thought and actions,
Desire for unlimited power and wealth,
Free thinking,
Nationalism,
Individualism,
Puritanism etc.

Renaissance Period Summary:

Renaissance is a Latin word meaning re-birth, revival, or re-awakening. The revival of Greek learning, classic literature or knowledge in England is known as Renaissance. It starts in Italy in 13^th century and over the 14^th and 15^th century and it spreads over the whole Europe. The Renaissance is the revival of classical learning, the awakening of the minds of men, the freedom of thought and action. Renaissance is a movement or feeling against old customs and medieval dogmatism. We know that, after the fall of the then Constantinople/Byzantine so many Greek scholars left the city and spread all over the Europe especially in England. They spread classic literature and knowledge which is known as the primary background of Renaissance.

It is generally accepted that the Renaissance period began with the beginning of 15^th century and continued till the Restoration in 1660. This period is divided into four ages by the names of the political figures:

The Renaissance Period is divided into 4 different ages:

Elizabethan Age
Jacobean Age
Commonwealth Age
Caroline Age

a) Elizabethan Age:

The duration of this age is from 1558-1603. Elizabethan age is named after Queen Elizabeth-1 who reigned over England 1558-1603. This age is often called the golden age of English literature.

Elizabethan Age: Major Writers:

William Shakespeare (1564-1616):

Shakespeare is the most influential English dramatist. He is famous for his keen observation about human psychology. Shakespeare was mostly called the Bard of Avon. He wrote 2 narrative poems and 154 sonnets. Similarly, Shakespeare is mostly known for his 37 dramas.

Some of Shakespeare’s notable dramas: Othello, Macbeth, King Lear, Merchant of Venice, As You Like It etc.

Edmund Spenser (1552-1599):

Edmund Spenser is the greatest poet of the Elizabethan Age. He is called the poet of poets because many later English poets followed his art of poetry. He was also called the ‘Prince of Poets’ in his time.

His famous writings are: The Faerie Queene, The Shepherd’s Calendar, Amoretti, Epithalamion etc.

Francis Bacon (1561-1626):

Francis Bacon is a scholar, philosopher. He is famous for his prose writing. He is called natural philosopher. He is also called the father of ‘English Essay’.

Some of his notable works are: The Wisdom of the Ancients, The New Atlantis etc.

b) Jacobean Age:

This age was named after King James-1, who reigned England from 1603-1626.The word ‘Jacobean’ is derived from ‘Jacobus’, the Latin version of James. Some historians like to call the last 5 years of this age as a part of another age which they call the Puritan Age. The poets of this age were famous for writing Metaphysical Poetry.

Jacobean Age: Major Writers:

John Donne (1572-1631):

John Donne was an English poet, scholar, soldier. He is the leader and founder of Metaphysical School. He is regarded the greatest love poet in the English Literature. He is one of the contemporaries of Christopher Marlowe and William Shakespeare.

His famous works: The Sun Rising, A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning, The Good Morrow, Batter my Heart etc.

Andrew Marvell (1621-1678):

Andrew Marvell is a famous metaphysical poet. In his metaphysical writing, he relates to John Donne and George Herbert. He was the follower of John Milton. He was a scholar at Holy Trinity Church.

His Famous works: To His Coy Mistress, Definition of Love, The Garden etc.

George Herbert (1593-1633):

George Herbert is a Welsh poet. He is a priest of the church in England. He is one of the metaphysical poet. He is regarded as ‘one of the foremost British devotional lyricist’. He is a religious poet.

His famous works: The Collar, Easter Wings etc.

c) Caroline Age:

This age was named after Charles (1625-1649), the ruler of England. Caroline is derived ‘Carolus’ which is Latin version of Charles. This age is also a part of Puritan Age.

Famous writers of Caroline age:

Robert Herrick (1591-1674):

Robert Herrick is a famous poet of Caroline Age. He was a clergyman. He is called ‘The Greatest Cavalier Poet’.

His Famous writings: To Daffodils, Delight in Disorder, The Night Piece of Julia etc.

Thomas Carew (1595-1640):

Thomas Carew was one of the Cavalier Poets. He was greatly guided by Ben Jonson and John Donne.

His famous works: To Saxham, To my friend G.N etc.

Richard Lovelace (1617-1657):

Richard Lovelace was an English Poet. He was a cavalier poet.

His famous works: To Lucasta, To Althea from Prison, Going to the Warres etc.