English Renaissance
Renaissance and Reformation
Renaissance
Renaissance means “rebirth” (wedergeboorte/herleving)
In this time there was a renewed interest in the culture of ancient Greece and Rome.
This has its roots in the Middle Ages.
In 1453: the official start of renaissance. End of Byzantine (Turkish) Empire. → Greek
material came to the West.
In the early 16th century: new developments (e.g. printing press) therefore it was able
to affect society.
Why renewed?
Before the renaissance (in the Middle Ages) : classical culture was studied as product
of pagan civilizations (- heidense beschaving).
16th century: open mind
◦ : Casting off prejudices (vooroordelen) of medieval Christianity.
They look upon Greek and Roman culture as an ideal and example.
Humanists: Erasmus, Thomas More (they were close friends). They read the bible as
a classical text. Goal of humanists = studying the original text to bring the church
back to its source.
◦ Humanists then: reading the Bible as a classical text
◦ Humanist now: Human is the centre of the world
Thomas More: Utopia
Lived from 1478 until 1538.
Friend of Erasmus
He had a lot of jobs, for example: He was a lawyer and a monk and became Lord
Chancellor (became the money)
He was against Henry VIII, this cost him his life.
He wrote the book Utopia, it’s about Great-Brittain (described as an isle).
Henry broke with Rome, Thomas More thought this was bad, therefore Thomas was
killed.
1516 Utopia
Written by Thomas More, in Latin.
In 1551 an English edition was introduced.
The story is a description of ideal life.
An imaginary country was described. (Actually, he meant England to show that the
situation in England was very bad.)
Modeled on Plato's republic. (Shows that Thomas uses the ancients.)
Fundamental Changes (Middle Ages vs. Renaissance)
1. Collective to individual attitude.
2. Theocentric to anthropocentric outlook (humanism, worldliness).
3. Dogmatic belief to critical investigation.
1. Collective → Individual
Middle Ages: people were members of larger body.
, Example: guild, church, family.
16th century: man became more self-aware. This is expressed through:
a. Religion: reformation.
Emphasis on individual relation between God and the people
b. Capitalist system: private enterprise (particuliere ondernemingen)
c. Arts: growing self-confidence:
It’s about personal prestations, your name is in relation with your work.
d. Desire to develop talents: Ideal Renaissance Man.
Ideal renaissance man is a man who should be a poet, soldier, hunter, scholar and a
musician. Vitruvian man, made by Leonardo da Vinci (very talented man).
2. God-centered → Man-centered
Medieval world: role of the church was very important, but the church wasn't good
anymore.
Life on earth was seen as a preparation for death and judgment to come: Memento
Mori. → people didn't live very long due to diseases and bad conditions etc.
16th century: Humanism.
Idea of death: no longer prevented man from exploring and enjoying life: Carpe Diem.
But they still remembered death very much.
Explorations and inventions (don’t learn by heart!!)
1580: Francis Drake sails around the world.
1584: Walter Raleigh in Virginia. (It's named after Queen Elizabeth, whose nickname
was the Virgin Queen.)
1609: Kepler investigated the thought of elliptical movement of planets.
1642 – 1727: Isaac Newton.
All scientist were interested in language.
This was the age of science.
Commercial aims:
- Quick way to India
- Peaceful trade
- Find empty lands.
The Ambassadors (drawing)
Made by Hans Holbein the Younger.
Shows two ambassadors, one from the church in black clothes, and a rich, secular
one with an expensive coat.
There's a skull in the middle: Momento Mori.
They didn't forget death. Everyone had to die eventually.
They are standing on the cosmaty pavement, which is in Westminster Abbey.
Everything in the painting is symbolic.
There's a part with science stuff (globe, astronomy/astrology instruments, maps).
The clothing is a symbol for the textile industry.
Musical instruments (e.g. lute has a broken string = discord, which means
disharmony.)
Books: are new. Instead of manuscripts. This shows knowledge.
Martin Luther
He was a monk. He was one of the many clergy members who were critical towards
the church. But they didn't want to leave the church.
Renaissance and Reformation
Renaissance
Renaissance means “rebirth” (wedergeboorte/herleving)
In this time there was a renewed interest in the culture of ancient Greece and Rome.
This has its roots in the Middle Ages.
In 1453: the official start of renaissance. End of Byzantine (Turkish) Empire. → Greek
material came to the West.
In the early 16th century: new developments (e.g. printing press) therefore it was able
to affect society.
Why renewed?
Before the renaissance (in the Middle Ages) : classical culture was studied as product
of pagan civilizations (- heidense beschaving).
16th century: open mind
◦ : Casting off prejudices (vooroordelen) of medieval Christianity.
They look upon Greek and Roman culture as an ideal and example.
Humanists: Erasmus, Thomas More (they were close friends). They read the bible as
a classical text. Goal of humanists = studying the original text to bring the church
back to its source.
◦ Humanists then: reading the Bible as a classical text
◦ Humanist now: Human is the centre of the world
Thomas More: Utopia
Lived from 1478 until 1538.
Friend of Erasmus
He had a lot of jobs, for example: He was a lawyer and a monk and became Lord
Chancellor (became the money)
He was against Henry VIII, this cost him his life.
He wrote the book Utopia, it’s about Great-Brittain (described as an isle).
Henry broke with Rome, Thomas More thought this was bad, therefore Thomas was
killed.
1516 Utopia
Written by Thomas More, in Latin.
In 1551 an English edition was introduced.
The story is a description of ideal life.
An imaginary country was described. (Actually, he meant England to show that the
situation in England was very bad.)
Modeled on Plato's republic. (Shows that Thomas uses the ancients.)
Fundamental Changes (Middle Ages vs. Renaissance)
1. Collective to individual attitude.
2. Theocentric to anthropocentric outlook (humanism, worldliness).
3. Dogmatic belief to critical investigation.
1. Collective → Individual
Middle Ages: people were members of larger body.
, Example: guild, church, family.
16th century: man became more self-aware. This is expressed through:
a. Religion: reformation.
Emphasis on individual relation between God and the people
b. Capitalist system: private enterprise (particuliere ondernemingen)
c. Arts: growing self-confidence:
It’s about personal prestations, your name is in relation with your work.
d. Desire to develop talents: Ideal Renaissance Man.
Ideal renaissance man is a man who should be a poet, soldier, hunter, scholar and a
musician. Vitruvian man, made by Leonardo da Vinci (very talented man).
2. God-centered → Man-centered
Medieval world: role of the church was very important, but the church wasn't good
anymore.
Life on earth was seen as a preparation for death and judgment to come: Memento
Mori. → people didn't live very long due to diseases and bad conditions etc.
16th century: Humanism.
Idea of death: no longer prevented man from exploring and enjoying life: Carpe Diem.
But they still remembered death very much.
Explorations and inventions (don’t learn by heart!!)
1580: Francis Drake sails around the world.
1584: Walter Raleigh in Virginia. (It's named after Queen Elizabeth, whose nickname
was the Virgin Queen.)
1609: Kepler investigated the thought of elliptical movement of planets.
1642 – 1727: Isaac Newton.
All scientist were interested in language.
This was the age of science.
Commercial aims:
- Quick way to India
- Peaceful trade
- Find empty lands.
The Ambassadors (drawing)
Made by Hans Holbein the Younger.
Shows two ambassadors, one from the church in black clothes, and a rich, secular
one with an expensive coat.
There's a skull in the middle: Momento Mori.
They didn't forget death. Everyone had to die eventually.
They are standing on the cosmaty pavement, which is in Westminster Abbey.
Everything in the painting is symbolic.
There's a part with science stuff (globe, astronomy/astrology instruments, maps).
The clothing is a symbol for the textile industry.
Musical instruments (e.g. lute has a broken string = discord, which means
disharmony.)
Books: are new. Instead of manuscripts. This shows knowledge.
Martin Luther
He was a monk. He was one of the many clergy members who were critical towards
the church. But they didn't want to leave the church.
