History of English Literature-The Revival of Learning (1450-1550)


History / Events

Literature
1455-85 Wars of the Roses begin

1492 Columbus lands in West Indies

1535 Sir Thomas More, St John Fisher, Anne Boleyn, William Tyndale executed.

1549 Book of Common Prayer.

1476 Printing press started.
1412 Governail of Princes by Hoccleve.

1422 The Kingis Quair by James I

1470 Morte D' Arthur by Malory (1085)

1516 Utopia by More (Latin)
1551 Utopia by More (English)

1557 Tottel’s Miscellany by Wyatt.

1461-83
Edward IV
1483
Edward V
1483-85
Richard III
1485-1509
Henry VII
1509-47
Henry VIII
1547-53
Edward VI


AUTHORS

1422-1491
William Caxton
1452-1519
Leonardo de Vinci
1456-1513
William Dunbar
1469-1527
Machiavelli
1477-1535
Thomas More
1503-1542
Thomas Wyatt
1504-1556
Nicholas Udall
1513-1572
John Lyly
1474-1522
Gawain Douglas

1.      Who was credited for the introduction of the printing press in England and in which year?

Ans. Caxton was credited for the introduction of the printing press in England. The year was 1477.


2.      Who wrote Utopia? who translated it into English in which year?

Ans. Thomas Moore wrote Utopia (1516), the fantasy book and Ralph Robinson translated it into English in 1551.

3.      Name two Female characters featured in The Canterbury Tales.

Ans. The Canterbury Tales is a veritable picture gallery of the 14th century England. Among the women characters, dainty and aristocratic Madan Eglantine and her fellow nun represent the Church. Here is further the immortal Woman character – The wife of Bath.


Ans. Constantinople, the capital of Roman Empire fell to the Turks in 1453. The monks and philosophers at there fled to different parts of Europe with their scholastic learning. These created a new awakening of learning which is popularly called the Renaissance movement in Europe.
            The 1477 is important for the establishment of printing press in England by Caxton. The first printing book is Lydgate’s Temple of glass, The Sheep and The Goose.


Ans. Lollard simply means the poor priests. They are the supporters of reformist Wycliffe. Wycliffe challenges the authority of the Catholic Church and protests the rampant corruption in it. He starts a movement by the help of these Lollards to spread his teachings. He translated the Bible into simple English.  

6.   How did the Revival of Learning impact English literature during this time period?

Ans. The Revival of Learning had a significant impact on English literature during this time period, as it led to a renewed interest in classical literature and philosophy. This influenced English writers to incorporate classical themes and styles into their works, resulting in a shift away from medieval literature.

7.  Who were some notable English writers during this period, and what were their contributions to literature?

Ans. Some notable English writers during this period at later phase include William Shakespeare, Christopher Marlowe, Edmund Spenser, and Sir Thomas More. They made significant contributions to literature, such as Shakespeare's plays and sonnets, Marlowe's poetry and plays, Spenser's epic poem The Faerie Queene, and More's Utopia.

8.  What were some common themes in English literature during the Revival of Learning period, and how did they reflect the cultural and intellectual trends of the time?

Ans. Common themes in English literature during the Revival of Learning period included humanism, individualism, love, nature, and morality. These themes reflected the cultural and intellectual trends of the time, as the Renaissance brought a focus on human potential and the importance of the individual.

9. How did the introduction of the printing press impact the production and dissemination of literature during this period?

Ans. The introduction of the printing press had a significant impact on the production and dissemination of literature during this period. It allowed for the mass production of books, making literature more widely available to the general public.

10. How did the English language itself evolve and change during the Revival of Learning period, and what impact did this have on literature?

Ans. The English language underwent significant changes during the Revival of Learning period, as classical literature and the study of Latin and Greek influenced the language's vocabulary and grammar. This resulted in the development of Early Modern English, which is closer to the modern English we speak today.

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