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English 10: DATA SHEET
TIME PERIOD: THE ENGLISH RENAISSANCE
DATES: 1485 - 1660
Types of Lit/Major Texts
Sonnets
(Spenser, Shakespeare, and Petrarch)
Lyric poetry
(Elizabeth I and Sir Thomas Wyatt)
Pastorals
(Christopher Marlowe & Sir Walter
Raleigh)
Drama (Shakespeare)
* Comedies
* Tragedies
* Histories
Metaphysical Poetry
(Donne, Marvell, Milton)
King James Bible printed – first Bible in the English language.
Printing technology helps to stabilize the language.
EVENTS/POLITICAL SITUATION
CULTURE/THINKERS
 Known as the “rebirth” – shift from the medieval focus of religion and the afterlife to human life here on earth.
 Surge of creative energy questioning old truths and challenging authority –
Copernicus and Galileo.
 New emphasis on the individual and human potential.
 Period of English expansion into the New World
 Henry Tudor took the throne as Henry VII – built up commercial trade and financed expeditions to the New World.
 Henry VII died, leaving the throne to son, Henry VIII.
 Protestant Reformation leading English away from Roman influence – Henry VIII became head of the Church of England (Anglican Church) in 1534.
 1558 Elizabeth I took the throne, increasing the prosperity and international recognition of England.
sensitive to public opinion
tried to smooth Protestant and Catholic tensions
encouraged overseas ventures
 1603 Elizabeth died and James VI took over, causing the rise of the Stuarts – people became unhappy at home and began moving to North America.
 Stuarts emphasized absolute power of monarchy (kings), leading to opposition.
 1637 civil war began in England – Oliver Cromwell led the Puritan army to victory (defeat of the monarchy).
So What? Growing sense of nationalism, importance of individual, emphasis on creative works, contributions of Shakespeare