Many have argued about just what defined the Renaissance, be it the artwork, the rulers, or the community of the era itself, but nothing compares to effect of literature on the European Renaissance. Literature ingrained itself into the period by expanding the populous view and their ability to access information, creating a more creative and educated public. This, consequently, kick-started multiple inventions, pieces of art, and research that would change how we viewed the world forever. Johann Gutenberg is presumed to be the inventor of the printing press, starting the first printing company in the late 1430’s. Before the press, all books and other writings had been done by hand, resulting in script being expensive, inconsistent, and prone …show more content…
William, in total, wrote more than thirty plays and one hundred and fifty four sonnets, resulting in him being recognized as one of the most influential writers of history, but despite this, not much is known about the man. From what historians have gathered, his father had a high enough standing in the socioeconomic chain to afford a “well-rounded, humanistic education,” (Milne 682 - 704) for William, meaning he had plentiful access to information and most types of literature. Because Shakespeare was able to access such information, it not only allowed him to write masterpieces that would be shared for multiple millennium, but it also enabled him to travel all about Europe (an educated man like himself made enough money to do so). Another author who found themselves embedded within the literature boom was Elizabeth Carey, a woman who, amidst her husband’s abusive family controlling her livelihood, was the first female playwright to write a play in english. When her husband, Sir Henry Carey, went off to fight in Spain, Elizabeth moved in with his family who enforced the rule of “No Reading” upon her. Therefore, she wrote instead. The Tragedy of Mariam was completed at this time, earning her her title of the first woman to write a play in English and inspired others to pursue literature and language, even if the world seems to be set up against …show more content…
So, the question stands, how important was education, and what does it have to do with literature? Once literature had become commonplace, education (along with its standards) saw an incline as well, students were now required to know both Latin and Greek if they wished to enter a university. “Before the Renaissance, some people had thought of history as shaped by divine forces,” (Scribner 29-36), this statement is a perfect example of what literature did for the renaissance. Instead of tales and other inconsistencies being passed down, people were now able to access history books in the masses and were able to learn not only from their own mistakes, but the mistakes of others as
To begin, Johannes Gutenberg was born 1395, in Mainz, Germany. He started experimenting with printing by 1438. He obtained backing in 1450 from the financier Johann Fust, whose impatience and other factors led to Gutenberg's loss of his establishment to Fust in 1455. Gutenberg's masterpiece, and the first book ever printed from movable type, is the “Forty-Two-Line” Bible, completed no later than 1455" (http://www.biography.com)". The first most important consequence of the printing press is that it chang...
The European Renaissance occurring from 1450 to 1650, marked a change that led to many developments in art, religion, literature and the economy. The impact of the Renaissance changed the thinking and life. The society saw a rise in creativity, in ambition and in politics. During the Renaissance (the rebirth) achievement in art especially rose, though depending on where the Renaissance was, it was a different experience all around. Renaissance art in Italy and southern Europe had more of a grecian theme, while northern Renaissance focused more on life and mythology.
Before the invention of the printing press, any writing done, whether it was a book, or drawing, or copies of the Bible had to be completed painstakingly by the hand. Every letter, every word, every sentence, had to be written down by hand. It took almost over an entire year to write a single book. In addition to the large amount of time spent, people often made mistakes delaying the publishing of the book. The effects of these scarce, handwritten copies were that education and learning was very limited. Desperate for fame and money, German Johannes Gutenberg changed all of that. In 1450, Gutenberg created the first ever printing press, built and improved existing printing methods. Soon, by the 1500’s printing shops were located everywhere in the major cities of Europe. People had a better way of spreading ideas and findings of new lands during the Age of Exploration, the period of time when Europeans began exploring the world by sea in search of new discoveries, trade routes, and goods found in other countries. The Age of Exploration was affected by the printing press more than the Protestant Reformation was, because it helped publicize recent findings, inspiring and
The first printing press was created to make books (Mostly bibles in the day) cheaper and more accessible. At this time only nobles and scribes new how to read and write. In result of this press, written pieces became commonplace making the common people needing to know how to read and write. This literacy spread and spread as the printing press became more common and caused the majority of the world’s people to be as literate as it is today which helped to revolutionize the work
The Renaissance period also changed through literature. This new change in literature was important because it taught people to read,write and with learning how to read and write gave people the needed components to do for themselves, different ways to think and use knowledge to better themselves.. Many more people got more chances to read and write instead of the select few. This gave people more opportunity at jobs, gave the servants a more chance for freedom.(Doc.b)
Therefore there can be no doubt that knowledge of the works of Shakespeare is needed for any education of English literature to be considered complete and well rounded.
Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press in 1456, introducing a faster and easier way to produce new books. Many of the first books printed were Bibles or contained religious ideas, which resulted in the rising suspicion of witches and witchcraft. Other books widely produced were on magic, astrology, and alchemey and rose supsicions even further
The title page offers an immediate insight into the patriarchal constraints placed on women in early modern England. Although The Tragedy of Mariam is the first known English play to be authored by a woman, the fact that Cary is unable to give her full name is indicative of the limitations on women writers of the period. This semi-anonymous authorship...
Across the Universe of Time: Shakespeare’s influence on 21st century society. It is harder to imagine a more universal writer than William Shakespeare. Rarely, if ever, is one of his many plays not being performed anywhere in the world and similarly rare is the tertiary English student who has not examined his work at length. His plays, sonnets and poems are common fodder for high school English departments across the globe.
The Renaissance has been a diverse period and had people who held dear to the art and literature, which have developed over the period. Starting with literature, was well known and popular in forms of plays, which have been presented out to people in that era and even today. One of the writers that have been noticed and presented in different styles in our time is William Shakespeare. William was known for writing most of the popular plays in the 1600’s and for interpreting language which was known for being ‘Shakespearean Language’. These languages in his plays are used from the renaissance era and are more likely seen with in the other writer’s stories as well. Though William was not the only one, there are others before him that has studied
The social lives of people were greatly influenced by advancements in education during the Renaissance. More people then ever before were send to schools and educated. Schools for girls were built, and they were taught sewing, reading, writing, and dancing. Some of these schools even had teachers for singing and playing instruments. Upper class women were taught language, philosophy, theology and mathematics. But their education only prepared them for social life at home. Women lost political power, access to property and their role in shaping society.
Arguably the greatest playwright of his time, perhaps in all of history, William Shakespeare's literary works have had a tremendous impact (see Appendix 2). Reaching into the pop culture of the modern world through movies and quotes used in everyday conversation, Shakespeare's influence is astounding (see Appendix 1). One rarely stops to think, however, about events that had an impact on Shakespeare's life, particularly his writing. The outbreak of the plague, social disparity, political unrest, just a few of the historical happenings that impacted Shakespeare's plays, including Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, Othello, and Henry IV
William Shakespeare was an English writer who was regarded as one of the best writer during the Elizabethan era. Shakespeare is known for many of his poems and plays that he wrote. Historically women weren’t regarded equally as men were. The education level that was offered during that time was different for men and woman. Woman weren’t getting further education unlike men were. Woman were homeschooled while men went to schools. During the Elizabethan era witches were being prosecuted and executed. William Shakespeare was influenced by the historical and cultural events that took place during the Elizabethan era and implemented it into his play called Macbeth. Major historical events that affected how the play Macbeth was written was witchcraft,
Throughout the United States and the entire world people are aware of Shakespeare; however, many people wonder why society wants their citizens to continue to read William Shakespeare’s plays and poems. Shakespeare continues to influence today’s environment and brings people together by speaking of a common author that most people know. All across the world, students must read at least one of Shakespeare’s works; which often develop those children who read his works into better writers. During the Elizabethan Era, William Shakespeare experienced an uneventful childhood and had a basic education; however, his life still seems to be shrouded with mystery and raises the argument that he was not only the most successful, but also the most mysterious playwright, actor, and poet from that time period.
William Shakespeare’s life has brought much curiosity to many. This is natural as he is considered to be the greatest figure of English Literature. William Shakespeare, in terms of his life and work, is the most written-about author in the history of Western civilization. His works include 38 plays, 154 sonnets, and 2 epic narrative poems, the First of which was published after his death in 1623 by two of Shakespeare's acting companions, John Heminges and Henry Condell. Since then, the works of Shakespeare have been studied, analyzed, and enjoyed as some of the finest work of art in the English language.