英国文学史4W.+Shakespeare.pptVIP

W. Shakespeare Historical background Summary The Elizabeth Age (1558-1603): England enjoyed peaceful development under the rule of Queen Elizabeth I, who maintained a balance of between the Protestants and the Catholics. In 1588, English navy defeated the Spanish Armada, which accelerated the awakening English people’s national consciousness; The enclosure movement: Many peasants were forced to leave the land and settled down in towns. The two opposite classes came into being, the capitalist and the laboring class. Reformation: It was a return to pure Christianity--cleansing the church of all the corruption. English Reformation was triggered by Henry VIII’s divorce and remarrying. Renaissance and Humanism (1) Renaissance: a French word, meaning “rebirth”. The art and science of ancient Greece and Rome were being rediscovered after long years of neglect. (2) English Renaissance had two impulses—humanist reverence for the classics and English pride and sense of national identity. (3) Humanism emphasized the dignity and potential of the individual and the worth of life in this world. The flourishing of drama The reason for the flourishing of drama; The structure of the Elizabethan theatre; “The University Wits”: Robert Greene; Thomas Kyd; Christopher Marlowe and Thomas Nashe. They were the predecessors to Shakespeare: Christopher Marlowe: The Tragic History of Doctor Faustus William Shakespeare (1564—1616) Menu Life Comments Works in different periods This is the birthplace of William Shakespeare in Stratford-on-Avon.  Shakespeare’s Burial Site-----He was buried in the Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon dramatist and poet Life  1564, Born in Stratford-on-Avon, Ca. 1588-1592, in London as actor and playwright; Ca. 1592-98, devotes himself mainly to chronicle histories and comedies; Ca. 1601-1609, period of the greatest tragedies and romantic comedies Ca. 1610, retires to Stratford; 1616, died. His works With his 38