Renaissance Background

Important Issues for the Renaissance

Rise of the city-state in Italy
Solidification of aristocratic system; system of patronage

1. Courtly ideal of the middle class artist
2. Elizabeth as central of court patronage system
3. Platonic love metaphor for courtier/patron relationship.
4. Rise of merchant class and middle class mobility.
5. Renewed contact with eastern empire (under moslem control) and rediscovery of classical texts
6. Humanism--new emphasis on the SECULAR (vs. the sacred) seen in literature and art.
7. Protestant Reformation and religious conflict throughout Europe.
8. Professionalization of the Theater.
9. Politics: A Mirror for Magistrates. New interest in the role of kingship.
10. Nationalism/ Capitalism/ Individualism/ Originality (correspondent values).
11. Forms:

• Verse
  • Sonnet. Calendar. Lyric. Verse drama (closet drama).
  • Epithalamium.
  • Pastoral, epic.
• Prose
  • Political tracts and literary criticism (Sidney).
  • Drama
  • Pastoral, urban, tragedy, comedy, tragicomedy, history.
    

Mary Adams
828.227.3269