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THE INFLUENCE OF THE RENAISSANCE ON ENGLISH LITERATURE
Jo'ramurodova Sevinch
student of group 2201,
Foreign Language and Literature (English),
Faculty of Foreign Languages, Narpay,
Samarkand State Institute of Foreign Languages
Tagayeva Umida
Scientific advisor:
Teacher, Faculty of Foreign Languages,
Samarkand State Institute of Foreign Languages, Narpay
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14619210
Abstract:
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”.
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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 –
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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 introduced all the
forms of drama. He wrote historical and romantic plays. His greatest
achievement was in the field of tragedy. Ben Jonson introduced a new kind of
drama known as comedy of humour. In his plays, the social evils and lust for
money are shown that found in the English society. The tragic plays of blood and
revenge were introduced by John Webster in this age.
Examples
Marlowe's Doctor Faustus, Tamburlaine, Jew of Malta and Edward II
Shakespeare's Macbeth, Othello, Hamlet, King Lear and A Mid Summer
Night's Dream
Ben Jonson's Alchemist, Everyman in His Humour and Volpone
These are a few examples of the dramas of the Renaissance age.
2) Impact on Poetry
In Poetry, the spirit of Renaissance can be seen in the works of Wyatt,
Surrey, Spenser, Sidney, Shakespeare and etc. this form became a fashionable
and handy tool for the great poets of this age. Sir Thomas Wyatt and the Earl of
Surrey were the pioneers of the new poetry in England. They both gave English
poetry a new sense of grace, dignity and harmony. They did their best to imitate
Italian Renaissance.
Wyatt has introduced the sonnet in English literature. Though in his
sonnets Wyatt did not employ regular iambic pentameters, yet he created a
sense of discipline among the poets of the era. According to David Daiches
Wyatt's sonnets represent one of the most interesting movements toward
metrical discipline, found in English literary history
Surrey's works are characterized by exquisite grace and tenderness. He was
a better craftsman. and gives greater harmony to his poetry. Surrey employed
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blank verse in English literature with the translation of the fourth book of The
Aeneid
Examples
Shakespeare's 154 sonnets
Sidney's Astrophel and Stella
Spenser's Amoretti
Milton's Paradise Lost
With these few poetry of Renaissance era, England becomes a nest of
singing birds.
Wyatt's sonnets represent one of the most interesting movements
toward metrical discipline, found in English literary history
Surrey's works are characterized by exquisite grace and tenderness. He
was a better craftsman and gives greater harmony to his poetry. Surrey
employed blank verse in English literature with the translation of the fourth
book of The Aeneid.
Examples
Shakespeare's 154 sonnets
Sidney's Astrophel and Stella
Spenser's Amoretti
Milton's Paradise Lost
3) Impact on Prose
Italian wind brought the seeds of the novel in English literature. The most
important prose writers who exhibit well the influence of the Renaissance on
English prose are Erasmus, Sir Thomas More, Lyly, and Sidney. In the 15th
century, the prose writings of Bacon are true spirit of the Renaissance. He is
called the father of English essays. His essays provided the best worldly wisdom
in the era of Renaissance.
Examples
Sir Thomas More's Utopia
Malory's Morte de Arthur
Erasmus' Praise and Foll
Browne's Religio Medici
Conclusion
The Renaissance makes a great effect on the development of English
literature. In 1564, the Italian Renaissance was over but the English Renaissance
had hardly begun. The age of Shakespeare was the era of Renaissance in
England. It was an important movement that illuminated the whole English
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literature. Classical language and learning were popularized. Paradise Lost is the
last great triumph of the Renaissance.
References:
1.
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/collections/154826/an-introduction-
to-the-english-renaissance
2.
https://gourmaha.ac.in › Re...PDF. RENAISSANCE & ENGLISH LITERATURE
3.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renaissance
