The Renaissance : The Ideas Of The English Renaissance

Nyctophobia; the fear of the dark. However, it’s not exactly the fear of darkness itself, but rather, what could be lurking within it. Now, the Dark Ages weren’t actually “dark”, but it was a time of rapid decline in Europe in which historians don’t have much information. After the fall of the Roman Empire, Europe was thrown into a never ending battle of hardships. From the Black Plague to the loss of beloved heroes and heroines, the country really was left in the dark, until a flicker of hope emerged offering a new beginning: the Renaissance. The Renaissance lasted from the 14th to the 17th century and was an era of “rebirth” in European history. During this period, culture throughout Europe underwent a dramatic reformation where classic

No society remains immobile, even if some human beings resist changes. The advances in technology and the emergence of new beliefs allow people to have a broader imagination. Thus, numerous new interpretations of ancient works, whether they are plays, folktales, or poems, permeate around the world. These renditions re-tell the original stories in contexts that adjust to modern world. What was regarded serious in the past becomes mockery nowadays. William Shakespeare, one of the greatest English play writers, has a profound influence upon different societies globally since the fifteenth century, for his plays inspire many contemporary artists to present new scopes reflecting their societies. Considered as one of Shakespeare’s greatest

The Renaissance was an efflorescence of the arts and changes in many different areas such as political, social, economical, and cultural. It was the rebirth of art, literature, and learning in the 14th, 15th, and 16th centuries. It marked the transition from an agricultural to an urban society. The Renaissance ideals emphasized ideas of humanism and human achievement. Artists and writers used realistic techniques, such as perspective, and they believed man should be the subject of study, not God.

As theatre began shifting away from the political sphere in the Elizabethan period and focused more on comedic and tragic genres, playwrights were able to feature more intimate and domestic issues in their spectacles, but still regarded courtly settings as the appropriate setting

Plays were used for entertainment for many centuries. Starting with the Greek theaters, and lasting to this time in many different theaters, stages, and halls for the performance. One of the most proclaimed playwriters of his time is William Shakespeare. He could write his plays in such a way, everyone can have a different look on the characters and how the plot unfolds while they watched or read the plays. A great example is the play, “Hamlet” in which the main character Hamlet believes to go mad. Elizabethans used the term “mad” as losing one’s sanity. Many people believe in his madness, but there is prove it is a lie, when he talks to Ophelia causing her to believe he is crazy, how he uses it against the King and Polonius to hide his real intention of murder, and how he able to convince his mother

The move to the north occurred before 1497. But spread in the 15th century. The Renaissance moved northward into western and northern Europe of Italy. Northern industry had a lot of trade expands. The feudal and religious society weakened .

One can find many similarities between most of Shakespeare’s works, however, this may only be because of the shear amount of plays he had written. As we see today, much of Hollywood can be broken down to the same bare bones structure of story, and Shakespeare is no different. Although these similarities may be noticed only within the context of the theatrical arc – comedies full of love and pranks, tragedy ending with a pile of bodies - two plays stick out far above the rest in their likeness; Romeo and Juliet and Much Ado About Nothing. These shows, although very different, have an uncanny and alarming amount of similarities spread all throughout the acts. The strongest connections these plays have to each other lie within the characters and the themes and relationships included in the plot and they only differ in the way the story unfolds.

The Renaissance began in Florence, Italy around the 1500’s to about the 1700’s. Florence, Italy was the mecca of this rebirth because at the time Florence was extremely wealthy and the people of the city had political freedom and those new ideals of the Renaissance were not being condemned in Florence as they were other cities. This was a time where the arts and the logic of one’s own mind was valued rather than criticized, the antiquated medieval ideals no longer matched the needs of those who were living during the early Renaissance. Eventually, a term for this way of thinking arose and was called Humanism, and what humanism is, is an ideology where humans can lead themselves to create a prosperous life and instead of leaning on supernatural forces for answers. Humanists believe that humans have enough logic to create conclusions themselves. This brand-new way of thinking caused a lot of controversy because it did question God’s ability and the church’s power, but the ideas behind it are still heavily used today, even in the 21st century. Humanism in the early Renaissance is important because it called for thinking with reason, it allowed an appreciation for human body and mind, inspired authors and caused a shift in power.

Greek theatre and medieval drama were both very popular artistic events in their own periods of performance. However, from ancient Greece to the renaissance, time has set them apart in terms of methodology; their practitioners use a creative process based off of different mindsets. Therefore, the significant time lapse between the two genres has had an evident impact on the way theatre was perceived and presented. In comparing aspects such as religious motivations, conditions of violence and character development, the distinct theatrical natures of Greek theatre and medieval drama will be made apparent.

“The rebirth.” “The early modern period.” The Renaissance is alluded to by many names, referring to the great artistic renewal period beginning in the 14th century and ending in the 17th century. Occurring after the Medieval Period, it is often considered to be the bridge to modern day history as we know it. It was period of change, revival, and great augmentation for society. With the Middle Ages coming to an end and with the intellectual decline that had followed, scholars and thinkers alike began to study the ideals of ancient philosophers of the classical world, most prominently the Greeks and Romans, a time of great innovation and high human achievement, the likes of Humanism that hadn’t been seen for centuries.

Drama changed literature and theater into what it is today. I. History of Elizabethan Theater a. forming of theater 1. medieval church 2. mystery and morality b. actors 1. rogues and thieves 2. acting guilds II. Influences and people a. commanding actors 1. Shakespeare 2. Burbage b. other 1. wars of the roses (other historical influences) 2. laws restricting theater III. The theaters a. prices 1. seating 2. stage b. the theater and the globe 1. locations and characteristics 2. Burbage and other accomplishment Elizabethan Drama During the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, England underwent a dramatic change in priorities. The importance of art and literature became highly prevalent. The impact of the Elizabethan drama and

Shakespeare has a difficult task entertaining the rowdy Elizabethan audience, especially during the exposition of the play, which sets up the entire plot. The audience needs to be engaged and invested in the play, otherwise many of the Elizabethan audience would throw food and furniture on stage or vandalize the theatre in response. Shakespeare employs a variety of techniques throughout the exposition of the play in order to do this, by creating tension between characters, introducing scandalous plots and unresolved issues right at the beginning of the play leaving the audience waiting for an answer. This essay will explore Shakespeare’s techniques and methods of engaging his Elizabethan audience.

“In roughly built playhouses and cobblestone inn yards, an extraordinary development took place in England in the 1500s.” (Yancey, 8). At that time, an opportunity combined to produce literature achievement never before witnessed in the history of drama and theater. The renaissance, helped spark this movement by inspiring scientific and artistic creativity throughout the land. Models began writing dramas that portrayed life in both realistic and imaginative ways. This created work later captured the attention of the world that changed the English drama. The many aspects of Elizabethan theater helped to shape the acting and theater world forever.

Education which calls forth, trains, and develops those highest gifts of body and mind which ennoble men” (Wiesner 219). This quotation displays the importance of education for the Renaissance men. Their education is important because he must use it to serve and know God, and to serve the city/state (Wiesner 213). Most Renaissance men are courtiers, those who attend the royal court as a companion or adviser to the king or queen. Castiglione, a 16th century Italian aristocrat and author of The Courtier explain that a courtier must: “stand out from the rest as enterprising, bold and loyal to whomever he serves” (Wiesner 221). Keep in mind, the Renaissance man is a courtier, a refined upper class man; “average” men of Renaissance time period do not have the same characteristics as a Renaissance man. Most Renaissance men were born into their wealth or had a special talent like the artists of the day.

When looking back at the array of time periods discussed in modern history, some stick out more than others. One historical period that stands out in regards to the richness of the culture, as well as the progressions in civilization, is the Renaissance era. Culture was a huge part of the Renaissance era. The vast artistic styles in all aspects of life during this time made for such a cultural focus. The Renaissance era was called a rebirth of cultural awareness; theatre was a large part of this, including Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre.