英国文学简史Literature of the Renaissance重点整理.doc

Unit 2 Literature of the Renaissance Religious Reformation The reason: A natural corollary of popular disaffection with depravity and corruption of Catholic church and the holy clerics as well as the desire and anger on the part of more enlightened minds for reform and improvement. Starting in Germany by Martin Luther, echoed positively throughout many European areas The Protestants: the Lutherians, the Calvinists, … The major doctrines: the purity of church and the simplification of judgment by God through faith with no mediation from church or priest The contribution: emancipation of man’s mind from religious tyranny and fanaticism; affirmation of the considerable progress of man’ epistemology; facilitation of individual expression and critical thinking Renaissance giants of West Europe Basic knowledge: 14th century in Italy The revival or rebirth of Greek and Roman learning: art, literature, philosophy, thinking, … New view of life, new outlook on the world, new attitude toward living Renaissance age Medieval age the exaltation of man and absorption in earthly life The interest in God and life after death The dominance of Materialistic philosophy and scientific thought The popularity of religious mysticism and fanaticism and superstition as well as church dogmas Exploration of the infinite capabilities of man to conquer all sectors of the universe; the appearance of individual expression and critical thinking Man’s servitude under the omnipotence and omniscience of God; total submission and acceptance in face of the church and other forms of external power and control ; the universe is mysterious and unknown to man Humanists: aggressive, ambitious, adventurous, confident, acquisitive, dynamic; … Medieval mind: submissive, conservative, superstitious, restrictive, … Italy Petrarch Boccaccio Ariosto Tasso France Montaigne Rabelais Germany Holland MartinLuther Erasmus Spain Cervantes England Thomas More Marlowe