CLASSICAL INFLUENCES IN EUROPEAN LITERATURE
Classical influences had a significant impact on European literature throughout
history. Greek and Roman literature, in particular, have served as major sources of
inspiration for European writers.
Renaissance
o The creation of the printing press by Johannes Guttenberg in 1440 allowed
for macht of the literature during this time to be read by a much larger
audience,
o With the new wave of knowledge, many writers of this time period drew on
classical methods and styles from the ancient greats. These included
Aristotle, Homer, Plato, and Socrates. Some Romans that were modeled
were Cicero, Horace, Sallust, and Virgil.
o Politics were often an influence on Renaissance literature. Some
o Writers wrote directly about politics, and gave advice to rulers, seen by
Niccolo Machiavelli's famous work, The Prince. Another source of
inspiration was Christianity, which had immense influence during this time.
Important Renaissance Works
1.Miguel de Cervantes, Don Quixote 8.John Milton, Paradise Lost
2.William Shakespeare, Hamlet, Macbeth, 9.Christopher Marlowe, Doctor Faustus
Romeo and Juliet 10.The Prince-NICCOLO MACHINELLI
3.Niccolo Michiavelli, The Prince 11.GIOVANNI BOCCACCIO
4.Giovanni Boccaccio, The Decameron 12.THE DECAMERON MELICTED TALES
5.Petrarch, Canzoniere, Trionfi 13.Second Edition
6.Sir Francis Bacon, New Atlantis 14.HARVEY C. MANSFIELD
7.Sir Thomas More, Utopia
The Enlightenment Period
o This period in literature is marked by new emphasis on logic and
intellectualism
o Western put more attention to useful rather than abstract thought, and
pressed desires for improving the conditions of humanity through tolerance,
freedom, and equality.
o With the reason of reason and logic, many writers began to question the
established churches of the time, and a rise of deism was seen during this
time.
o The philsophes in France during this time were important to the period and
contributed many new thoughts characteristic of the Enlightenment.
Works of the Enlightenment
Montesquein, Spirit of the Laws
John Locke, An Essay Concerning Human Understanding
Classical influences had a significant impact on European literature throughout
history. Greek and Roman literature, in particular, have served as major sources of
inspiration for European writers.
Renaissance
o The creation of the printing press by Johannes Guttenberg in 1440 allowed
for macht of the literature during this time to be read by a much larger
audience,
o With the new wave of knowledge, many writers of this time period drew on
classical methods and styles from the ancient greats. These included
Aristotle, Homer, Plato, and Socrates. Some Romans that were modeled
were Cicero, Horace, Sallust, and Virgil.
o Politics were often an influence on Renaissance literature. Some
o Writers wrote directly about politics, and gave advice to rulers, seen by
Niccolo Machiavelli's famous work, The Prince. Another source of
inspiration was Christianity, which had immense influence during this time.
Important Renaissance Works
1.Miguel de Cervantes, Don Quixote 8.John Milton, Paradise Lost
2.William Shakespeare, Hamlet, Macbeth, 9.Christopher Marlowe, Doctor Faustus
Romeo and Juliet 10.The Prince-NICCOLO MACHINELLI
3.Niccolo Michiavelli, The Prince 11.GIOVANNI BOCCACCIO
4.Giovanni Boccaccio, The Decameron 12.THE DECAMERON MELICTED TALES
5.Petrarch, Canzoniere, Trionfi 13.Second Edition
6.Sir Francis Bacon, New Atlantis 14.HARVEY C. MANSFIELD
7.Sir Thomas More, Utopia
The Enlightenment Period
o This period in literature is marked by new emphasis on logic and
intellectualism
o Western put more attention to useful rather than abstract thought, and
pressed desires for improving the conditions of humanity through tolerance,
freedom, and equality.
o With the reason of reason and logic, many writers began to question the
established churches of the time, and a rise of deism was seen during this
time.
o The philsophes in France during this time were important to the period and
contributed many new thoughts characteristic of the Enlightenment.
Works of the Enlightenment
Montesquein, Spirit of the Laws
John Locke, An Essay Concerning Human Understanding
