21
English English Renaissance Renaissance Writers Writers

English Renaissance Writers English Renaissance Writers

Embed Size (px)

Citation preview

Page 1: English Renaissance Writers English Renaissance Writers

English English RenaissanceRenaissance

WritersWriters

Page 2: English Renaissance Writers English Renaissance Writers

Christopher "Kit" Christopher "Kit" MarloweMarlowe (baptised 26 (baptised 26 February 1564 – 30 May February 1564 – 30 May 1593) was an English 1593) was an English dramatist, poet and dramatist, poet and translator of the Elizabethan translator of the Elizabethan era. The foremost era. The foremost Elizabethan tragedian next Elizabethan tragedian next to William Shakespeare, he to William Shakespeare, he is known for his magnificent is known for his magnificent blanblankk verse, his verse, his overreaching protagonists, overreaching protagonists, and his own mysterious and and his own mysterious and untimely death.untimely death.

Christopher MarloweChristopher Marlowe

Page 3: English Renaissance Writers English Renaissance Writers

Christopher Marlowe was Christopher Marlowe was christened at St. George's Church, christened at St. George's Church, Canterbury, on 26 February 1564. Canterbury, on 26 February 1564. He was born to a shoemaker in He was born to a shoemaker in Canterbury named John Marlowe Canterbury named John Marlowe and his wife Katherine. Marlowe and his wife Katherine. Marlowe attended The King's School, attended The King's School, Canterbury (where a house is now Canterbury (where a house is now named after him) and Corpus named after him) and Corpus Christi College, Cambridge on a Christi College, Cambridge on a scholarship and received his scholarship and received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1584. Bachelor of Arts degree in 1584. In 1587 the university hesitated to In 1587 the university hesitated to award him his master's degree award him his master's degree because of a rumour that he had because of a rumour that he had converted to Roman Catholicism converted to Roman Catholicism and intended to go to the English and intended to go to the English college at Rheims to prepare for college at Rheims to prepare for the priesthood. the priesthood.

Page 4: English Renaissance Writers English Renaissance Writers

However, his degree was awarded on schedule when the Privy Council However, his degree was awarded on schedule when the Privy Council intervened on his behalf, commending him for his "faithful dealing" and intervened on his behalf, commending him for his "faithful dealing" and "good service" to the Queen. The nature of Marlowe's service was not "good service" to the Queen. The nature of Marlowe's service was not specified by the Council, but its letter to the Cambridge authorities has specified by the Council, but its letter to the Cambridge authorities has provoked much speculation, notably the theory that Marlowe was provoked much speculation, notably the theory that Marlowe was operating as a secret agent working for Sir Francis Walsingham's operating as a secret agent working for Sir Francis Walsingham's intelligence service. No direct evidence supports this theory, although the intelligence service. No direct evidence supports this theory, although the Council's letter is evidence that Marlowe had served the government in Council's letter is evidence that Marlowe had served the government in some capacity. some capacity.

Marlowe had a bad reputation among other writers. Government disliked Marlowe had a bad reputation among other writers. Government disliked him to. Christopher was eccussed accused of atheism and spying. On may him to. Christopher was eccussed accused of atheism and spying. On may 30, Marlowe was murdered. 30, Marlowe was murdered.

Page 5: English Renaissance Writers English Renaissance Writers

The Tragical History of The Tragical History of Doctor FaustusDoctor Faustus, based on , based on the German Faustbuch, was the German Faustbuch, was the first dramatised version the first dramatised version of the Faust legend of a of the Faust legend of a scholar's dealing with the scholar's dealing with the devil. While versions of devil. While versions of "The Devil's Pact" can be "The Devil's Pact" can be traced back to the 4th traced back to the 4th century, Marlowe deviates century, Marlowe deviates significantly by having his significantly by having his hero unable to "burn his hero unable to "burn his books" or have his contract books" or have his contract repudiated by a merciful repudiated by a merciful god at the end of the play. god at the end of the play. Marlowe's protagonist is Marlowe's protagonist is instead torn apart by instead torn apart by demons and dragged off demons and dragged off screaming to hell. screaming to hell.

Page 6: English Renaissance Writers English Renaissance Writers

Literary CareerLiterary Career Dido, Queen of CarthageDido, Queen of Carthage was was

Marlowe's first drama. Marlowe's first drama.

Marlowe's first play performed on Marlowe's first play performed on stage in London stage was stage in London stage was TamburlaineTamburlaine (1587) about the (1587) about the conqueror Timur, who rises from conqueror Timur, who rises from shepherd to warrior. It is among the shepherd to warrior. It is among the first English plays in blank verse, and, first English plays in blank verse, and, with Thomas Kyd's with Thomas Kyd's The Spanish The Spanish TragedyTragedy, generally is considered the , generally is considered the beginning of the mature phase of the beginning of the mature phase of the Elizabethan theatre. Elizabethan theatre. TamburlaineTamburlaine was was a success, and was followed with a success, and was followed with Tamburlaine Part IITamburlaine Part II. The sequence of . The sequence of his plays is unknown; all deal with his plays is unknown; all deal with controversial themes.controversial themes.

The Jew of MaltaThe Jew of Malta, about a Maltese , about a Maltese Jew's barbarous revenge against the Jew's barbarous revenge against the city authorities, has a prologue city authorities, has a prologue delivered by a character representing delivered by a character representing Machiavelli. The play is known for its Machiavelli. The play is known for its unsympathetic portrayal of nearly all unsympathetic portrayal of nearly all its characters.its characters.

Page 7: English Renaissance Writers English Renaissance Writers

Dr Faustus is a textual problem for Dr Faustus is a textual problem for scholars as it was highly edited scholars as it was highly edited (and possibly censored) and (and possibly censored) and rewritten after Marlowe's death. rewritten after Marlowe's death. Two versions of the play exist: the Two versions of the play exist: the 1604 quarto, also known as the A 1604 quarto, also known as the A text, and the 1616 quarto or B text. text, and the 1616 quarto or B text. Many scholars believe that the A Many scholars believe that the A text is more representative of text is more representative of Marlowe's original because it Marlowe's original because it contains irregular character names contains irregular character names and idiosyncratic spelling: the and idiosyncratic spelling: the hallmarks of a text that used the hallmarks of a text that used the author's handwritten manuscript, or author's handwritten manuscript, or "foul papers", as a major source."foul papers", as a major source.

Page 8: English Renaissance Writers English Renaissance Writers

Marlowe also wrote poetry, Marlowe also wrote poetry, including a, possibly, unfinished including a, possibly, unfinished minor epic, Hero and Leander minor epic, Hero and Leander (published with a continuation by (published with a continuation by George Chapman in 1598), the George Chapman in 1598), the popular lyric popular lyric The Passionate The Passionate Shepherd to His LoveShepherd to His Love, and , and translations of Ovid's translations of Ovid's AmoresAmores and and the first book of Lucan's the first book of Lucan's PharsaliaPharsalia..

The three parts of The three parts of TamburlaineTamburlaine were published in 1590; all were published in 1590; all Marlowe's other works were Marlowe's other works were published posthumously. In 1599, published posthumously. In 1599, his translation of Ovid was his translation of Ovid was banned and copies publicly banned and copies publicly burned as part of Archbishop burned as part of Archbishop Whitgift's crackdown on Whitgift's crackdown on offensive material.offensive material.

Page 9: English Renaissance Writers English Renaissance Writers

Philip SidneyPhilip Sidney Sir Philip SidneySir Philip Sidney

(November 30, 1554 – (November 30, 1554 – October 17, 1586) became October 17, 1586) became one of the Elizabethan Age's one of the Elizabethan Age's most prominent figures. most prominent figures. Famous in his day in Famous in his day in England as a poet, courtier England as a poet, courtier and soldier, he remains and soldier, he remains known as the author of known as the author of Astrophel and StellaAstrophel and Stella (1581, (1581, pub. 1591), pub. 1591), The Defence of The Defence of PoetryPoetry (or (or An Apology for An Apology for PoetryPoetry, 1581, pub. 1595), , 1581, pub. 1595), and and The Countess of The Countess of Pembroke's ArcadiaPembroke's Arcadia (1580, (1580, pub. 1590).pub. 1590).

Page 10: English Renaissance Writers English Renaissance Writers

Born at Penshurst, Kent, he was Born at Penshurst, Kent, he was the eldest son of Sir Henry Sidney the eldest son of Sir Henry Sidney and Lady Mary Dudley. Philip and Lady Mary Dudley. Philip was educated at Shrewsbury was educated at Shrewsbury School and Christ Church, School and Christ Church, Oxford. He was much travelled Oxford. He was much travelled and highly learned. In 1572, he and highly learned. In 1572, he travelled to France He spent the travelled to France He spent the next several years in mainland next several years in mainland Europe, moving through Europe, moving through Germany, Italy, Poland, and Germany, Italy, Poland, and Austria. On these travels, he met a Austria. On these travels, he met a number of prominent European number of prominent European intellectuals and politicians. intellectuals and politicians.

Page 11: English Renaissance Writers English Renaissance Writers

Returning to England in Returning to England in 1575, Sidney met Penelope 1575, Sidney met Penelope Devereaux, the future Devereaux, the future Penelope Blount; though Penelope Blount; though much younger, she would much younger, she would inspire his famous sonnet inspire his famous sonnet sequence of the 1580s, sequence of the 1580s, Astrophel and Stella.Astrophel and Stella. Her Her father, the Earl of Essex, is father, the Earl of Essex, is said to have planned to said to have planned to marry his daughter to marry his daughter to Sidney, but he died in 1576. Sidney, but he died in 1576. In England, Sidney In England, Sidney occupied himself with occupied himself with politics and art. He politics and art. He defended his father's defended his father's administration of Ireland in administration of Ireland in a lengthy document. Sidney a lengthy document. Sidney was knighted in 1583. was knighted in 1583.

Page 12: English Renaissance Writers English Renaissance Writers

In 1583, he married Frances, In 1583, he married Frances, teenage daughter of Sir Francis teenage daughter of Sir Francis Walsingham. The next year, he Walsingham. The next year, he met Giordano Bruno Sidney was a met Giordano Bruno Sidney was a keenly militant Protestant. He had keenly militant Protestant. He had persuaded John Casimir to persuaded John Casimir to consider proposals for a united consider proposals for a united Protestant effort against the Protestant effort against the Roman Catholic Church and Roman Catholic Church and Spain. In 1585, his enthusiasm for Spain. In 1585, his enthusiasm for the Protestant struggle was given the Protestant struggle was given a free rein when he was appointed a free rein when he was appointed governor of Flushing in the governor of Flushing in the Netherlands. Later that year, he Netherlands. Later that year, he joined Sir John Norris in the joined Sir John Norris in the Battle of Zutphen. During the Battle of Zutphen. During the siege, he was shot in the thigh and siege, he was shot in the thigh and died twenty-six days later. died twenty-six days later. Sidney's body was returned to Sidney's body was returned to London and interred in St. Paul's London and interred in St. Paul's Cathedral on 16 February 1587. Cathedral on 16 February 1587.

Page 13: English Renaissance Writers English Renaissance Writers

Already during his own Already during his own lifetime, but even more after lifetime, but even more after his death, he had become for his death, he had become for many English people the many English people the very epitome of a courtier: very epitome of a courtier: learned and politic, but at learned and politic, but at the same time generous, the same time generous, brave, and impulsive. Never brave, and impulsive. Never more than a marginal figure more than a marginal figure in the politics of his time, he in the politics of his time, he was memorialized as the was memorialized as the flower of English manhood flower of English manhood in Edmund Spenser's in Edmund Spenser's AstrophelAstrophel, one of the , one of the greatest English greatest English Renaissance elegies. In Renaissance elegies. In Zutphen, the Netherlands a Zutphen, the Netherlands a street has been named after street has been named after Sir Philip. Sir Philip.

Page 14: English Renaissance Writers English Renaissance Writers

WorksWorks Astrophel and StellaAstrophel and Stella — The first of the — The first of the

famous English sonnet sequences, famous English sonnet sequences, Astrophil and StellaAstrophil and Stella was probably was probably composed in the early 1580s. The sonnets composed in the early 1580s. The sonnets were well-circulated in manuscript before were well-circulated in manuscript before the first (apparently pirated) edition was the first (apparently pirated) edition was printed in 1591; only in 1598 did an printed in 1591; only in 1598 did an authorised edition reach the press. The authorised edition reach the press. The sequence was a watershed in English sequence was a watershed in English Renaissance poetry. In it, Sidney partially Renaissance poetry. In it, Sidney partially nativised the key features of his Italian nativised the key features of his Italian model, Petrarch: variation of emotion from model, Petrarch: variation of emotion from poem to poem, with the attendant sense of poem to poem, with the attendant sense of an ongoing, but partly obscure, narrative; an ongoing, but partly obscure, narrative; the philosophical trappings; the musings on the philosophical trappings; the musings on the act of poetic creation itself. His the act of poetic creation itself. His experiments with rhyme scheme were no experiments with rhyme scheme were no less notable; they served to free the English less notable; they served to free the English sonnet from the strict rhyming sonnet from the strict rhyming requirements of the Italian form requirements of the Italian form

Page 15: English Renaissance Writers English Renaissance Writers

The Countess of Pembroke's ArcadiaThe Countess of Pembroke's Arcadia — The — The ArcadiaArcadia, by far Sidney's most , by far Sidney's most ambitious work, was as significant in ambitious work, was as significant in its own way as his sonnets. This book its own way as his sonnets. This book is delicated to Mary Sidney, his sister. is delicated to Mary Sidney, his sister. The work is a romance that combines The work is a romance that combines pastoral elements with a mood derived pastoral elements with a mood derived from the Hellenistic model of from the Hellenistic model of Heliodorus. In the work, that is, a Heliodorus. In the work, that is, a highly idealized version of the highly idealized version of the shepherd's life adjoins (not always shepherd's life adjoins (not always naturally) with stories of jousts, naturally) with stories of jousts, political treachery, kidnappings, battles, political treachery, kidnappings, battles, and rapes. As published in the sixteenth and rapes. As published in the sixteenth century, the narrative follows the Greek century, the narrative follows the Greek model: stories are nested within each model: stories are nested within each other, and different story-lines are other, and different story-lines are intertwined. intertwined.

Page 16: English Renaissance Writers English Renaissance Writers

The work enjoyed great popularity for The work enjoyed great popularity for more than a century after its publication. more than a century after its publication. William Shakespeare borrowed from it for William Shakespeare borrowed from it for the Gloucester subplot of the Gloucester subplot of King LearKing Lear; parts ; parts of it were also dramatized by John Day of it were also dramatized by John Day and James Shirley. According to a widely-and James Shirley. According to a widely-told story, King Charles I quoted lines told story, King Charles I quoted lines from the book as he mounted the scaffold from the book as he mounted the scaffold to be executed; Samuel Richardson named to be executed; Samuel Richardson named the heroine of his first novel after Sidney's the heroine of his first novel after Sidney's Pamela. Pamela. ArcadiaArcadia exists in two significantly exists in two significantly different versions. Sidney wrote an early different versions. Sidney wrote an early version during a stay at Mary Herbert's version during a stay at Mary Herbert's house; this version is narrated in a house; this version is narrated in a straightforward, sequential manner. Later, straightforward, sequential manner. Later, Sidney began to revise the work on a more Sidney began to revise the work on a more ambitious plan. He completed most of the ambitious plan. He completed most of the first three books, but the project was first three books, but the project was unfinished at the time of his death. After a unfinished at the time of his death. After a publication of the first three books (1590) publication of the first three books (1590) sparked interest, the extant version was sparked interest, the extant version was fleshed out with material from the first fleshed out with material from the first version (1593). version (1593).

Page 17: English Renaissance Writers English Renaissance Writers

'Defense of Poetry" (also known as 'Defense of Poetry" (also known as A Defence of PoesieA Defence of Poesie) — Sidney ) — Sidney wrote the wrote the DefenceDefence before 1583. It is before 1583. It is generally believed that he was at generally believed that he was at least partly motivated by Stephen least partly motivated by Stephen Gosson, a former playwright who Gosson, a former playwright who dedicated his attack on the English dedicated his attack on the English stage, stage, The School of AbuseThe School of Abuse, to , to Sidney in 1579, but Sidney Sidney in 1579, but Sidney primarily addresses more general primarily addresses more general objections to poetry, such as those objections to poetry, such as those of Plato. In his essay, Sidney of Plato. In his essay, Sidney integrates a number of classical and integrates a number of classical and Italian precepts on fiction. The Italian precepts on fiction. The essence of his defense is that poetry, essence of his defense is that poetry, by combining the liveliness of by combining the liveliness of history with the ethical focus of history with the ethical focus of philosophy, is more effective than philosophy, is more effective than either history or philosophy in either history or philosophy in rousing its readers to virtue. The rousing its readers to virtue. The work also offers important work also offers important comments on Edmund Spenser and comments on Edmund Spenser and the Elizabethan stage. the Elizabethan stage.

Page 18: English Renaissance Writers English Renaissance Writers

James ShirleyJames Shirley James ShirleyJames Shirley (or (or SherleySherley) )

(September 1596 – October 1666) (September 1596 – October 1666) was an English dramatist.was an English dramatist.

He belonged to the great period of He belonged to the great period of English dramatic literature, but, in English dramatic literature, but, in Lamb's words, he "claims a place Lamb's words, he "claims a place among the worthies of this period, among the worthies of this period, not so much for any transcendent not so much for any transcendent genius in himself, as that he was the genius in himself, as that he was the last of a great race, all of whom last of a great race, all of whom spoke nearly the same language spoke nearly the same language and had a set of moral feelings and and had a set of moral feelings and notions in common." His career of notions in common." His career of play writing extended from 1625 to play writing extended from 1625 to the suppression of stage plays by the suppression of stage plays by Parliament in 1642.Parliament in 1642.

Page 19: English Renaissance Writers English Renaissance Writers

George ChapmanGeorge Chapman

George ChapmanGeorge Chapman (c. 1559 – 12 (c. 1559 – 12 May 1634) was an English May 1634) was an English dramatist, translator, and poet. dramatist, translator, and poet. He was a classical scholar, and He was a classical scholar, and his work shows the influence of his work shows the influence of Stoicism. Chapman has been Stoicism. Chapman has been identified as the Rival Poet of identified as the Rival Poet of Shakespeare's Sonnets by William Shakespeare's Sonnets by William Minto, and as an anticipator of the Minto, and as an anticipator of the Metaphysical Poets. Chapman is Metaphysical Poets. Chapman is best remembered for his best remembered for his translations of Homer's translations of Homer's Iliad,Iliad, Odyssey,Odyssey, and and Batrachomyomachia.Batrachomyomachia.

Page 20: English Renaissance Writers English Renaissance Writers

John FletcherJohn Fletcher

John FletcherJohn Fletcher (1579 – 1625) was a (1579 – 1625) was a Jacobean playwright. Following Jacobean playwright. Following William Shakespeare as house William Shakespeare as house playwright for the King's Men, he was playwright for the King's Men, he was among the most prolific and influential among the most prolific and influential dramatists of his day; both during his dramatists of his day; both during his lifetime and in the early Restoration, lifetime and in the early Restoration, his fame rivaled Shakespeare's. his fame rivaled Shakespeare's. Though his reputation has been Though his reputation has been eclipsed since, Fletcher remains an eclipsed since, Fletcher remains an important transitional figure between important transitional figure between the Elizabethan popular tradition and the Elizabethan popular tradition and the popular drama of the Restoration.the popular drama of the Restoration.

Page 21: English Renaissance Writers English Renaissance Writers

Thomas MiddletonThomas Middleton

Thomas MiddletonThomas Middleton (18 April 1580 (18 April 1580 – 1627) was an English Jacobean – 1627) was an English Jacobean playwright and poet. Middleton playwright and poet. Middleton stands with John Fletcher and Ben stands with John Fletcher and Ben Jonson as among the most Jonson as among the most successful and prolific of successful and prolific of playwrights who wrote their best playwrights who wrote their best plays during the Jacobean period. plays during the Jacobean period. He was one of the few He was one of the few Renaissance dramatists to Renaissance dramatists to achieve equal success in comedy achieve equal success in comedy and tragedy. Also a prolific writer and tragedy. Also a prolific writer of masques and pageants, he of masques and pageants, he remains one of the most remains one of the most noteworthy and distinctive of noteworthy and distinctive of Jacobean dramatists.Jacobean dramatists.