THE INFLUENCE OF THE RENAISSANCE ON ENGLISH LITERATURE

Аннотация

This article provides information about the influence of the Renaissance on English literature. Key words: Renaissance, English, world, literature, modern The Renaissance brought about a new life and a new enthusiasm in the field of English literature and culture which had far reaching consequences. In this study material we would first talk about Renaissance in general and then would discuss how did the Renaissance influence English literature. The Renaissance is an event that drew a clear line between medieval and the modern world. The Renaissance brought innovation to English literature which was mainly concentrated on mystery plays that were religious in nature. Shakespeare's plays, written during the Renaissance, are the commentaries and a reflection of the Renaissance's emphasis on humanism. For example, Hamlet includes the theme of the father-son relationship, guilt and some others. The Renaissance resulted in a huge churning in the intellectual life of England and in other parts of Europe: 1. There was the spread of renaissance humanism. Humanists were those who taught and wrote in ‘studiahumanitatis’- grammar, poetry, rhetoric, history and moral philosophy. It was a programme designed to condition men both culturally and intellectually. It sought to elevate man to realise his potential in both practical and cultural matter. 2. There was a shift from theo-centric world-view to an anthropocentric world-view. Earlier life was viewed as a preparation for after life. From ‘there’ and ‘then’ there is a shift to ‘here’ and ‘now’. Man has immense potential by which he can achieve and lot and that’s not bad at all. This glorification of human potential is captured very well in Hamlet’s soliloquy, “what a piece of work is man”. 90 ACADEMIC RESEARCH IN MODERN SCIENCE International scientific-online conference 3. There was the spread of materialism and worldly pursuits became a legitimate endeavour. 4. Love of beauty and an aesthetic and secular view of life came into being. Beauty provided a glimpse of a transcendental existence. Humanism was in fact an aesthetic movement. 5. There was the spread of New Learning provided by Oxford and Cambridge, the spread of a new view of the cosmos after the Copernican revolution, and the discovery of new world after the grand explorations of the world. Origin of Renaissance. Renaissance is derived from the Italian Renescentia means rebirth. The French historian Jules Michelet used Renaissance for the first time. Italy was the cradle of Renaissance. It began in Italy in the 14th century, spread to England by 16th century, and ended in the mid- seventeenth century. And also, the term Humanism sprang from it. Meaning of Renaissance The Renaissance means rebirth. The French historian Jules Michelet used the word for the first time. Renaissance means – The discovery of the world and the discovery of man, by man In other words, it was a psychological revolution which took place in Furo Renaissance is sometimes known as the revival of learning. The Renaissance is a period of history and a European cultural movement covering the 15th and 16th centuries. It marked the transition from the Middle Ages to modernity and was characterized by an effort to revive and surpass the ideas and achievements of classical antiquity. Associated with great social change in most fields and disciplines, including art, architecture, politics, literature, exploration and science, the Renaissance was first centered in the Republic of Florence, then spread to the rest of Italy and later throughout Europe. The term rinascita ("rebirth") first appeared in Lives of the Artists (c. 1550) by Giorgio Vasari, while the corresponding French word renaissance was adopted into English as the term for this period during the 1830s. The Effect of Renaissance on English Literature The impact of the Renaissance on English Literature is an increased willingness of writers to satirize existing works. The most significant impact of the Renaissance on English literature was seen in the changes of perception of human beings. For example, the words of Williams – 91 ACADEMIC RESEARCH IN MODERN SCIENCE International scientific-online conference Now he looked inward into his own soul, Seeking the meaning of experience in term of his free individuality. The Renaissance brought about a new spirit in English literature in all its aspects. The thirst for classical learning also gave a new impetus to literature. All the forms of literature were developed during this period: 1. Impact on Drama The Renaissance scored its first clear impact on English drama in the middle of the sixteenth century. During the Renaissance, drama become more secularized and reached crowning glory in the hands of University Wits such as Marlowe, Shakespeare and Ben Jonson. Among the University Wits, Marlowe has been called "The true child of the Renaissance." The heroes in his plays show an infinite desire for knowledge, wealth and power. Shakespeare introdu