This is a cultural movement and an artistic movement that spanned from the 16th century to the 17th century in England. This renaissance represents an extension of Europe’s general Renaissance, which historians have traced back to Tuscany from the fourteenth Century.
The word Renaissance can be viewed as a rebirth in the ancient Greek and Roman learning, which allowed people interested to learn about classical art from Greece or Rome. The English literature underwent a major change between the 16th-17th centuries. Many of the literary subjects changed from being religious to being about love and human pleasure. William Shakespeare was a famous writer during this time. He composed many poems as well as poets such Hamlet, Romeo and Joliet. The Renaissance was also a time of great writers, like John Milton and Christopher Marlowe. Milton is known for his famous tragedy, ‘paradise wasted’, while Marlowe wrote ‘Doctor Faustus. The end of the Renaissance saw a shift in the literary genres from Latin to English.
During this time, most literary works were concerned with social revolutions, criticisms of politics and society as well as satire. As the century ended, the focus of literary works shifted from political themes to romances, imaginations, and emotions. The 18th century saw the writing of many different types novels: sentimental, gothic and libertine. Samuel Johnson’s dictionary of English was a major part of literary history.
Jane Austen is the author of “Pride and Prejudice”, a romantic novel with dramatic elements.
Daniel Defoe was the author of a book called ‘Robison crusoe’ that focuses on the human brain and reasoning.
Romeo and JulietRomeo is the sixteen-year-old son of Montague.
Juliet: Capulet’s daughter and Lady Capulet’s thirteen year old daughter
Friar Lawrence is a Franciscan Friar, Romeo & Juliet’s friend
The Nurse, Tybalt and the Apothecary.
Shakespeare wrote Romeo-Juliet as a tragic romance. Romeo & Juliet, two characters who were originally supposed to be adversaries but fell in love. The two main characters, Romeo and Juliet, kill themselves as they can’t be apart from one another or stay away. The play is a Shakespearean tragic tale about a love triangle between two characters who fell in love the first time. However, their families were enemies and they couldn’t be together.
All plays revolve around Romeo & Juliet who fell in love during a party. Unfortunately, their families are hostile to one another and they’re sure that they won’t be getting married. Friar Lawrence is the friend of Romeo & Juliet, who secretly helps them get married. Romeo and Juliet’s Cousin had a fight before the wedding. Romeo ended up killing Juliet’s Cousin, forcing him to leave Juliet. Juliet and Romeo’s parents were forced to get married in Paris. Her parents didn’t know she was actually married. She refuses at first but accepts later because she made up her mind to tell her family that Juliet is dead when she really isn’t. This way, she can be with Romeo and Laurence forever. Romeo was unaware of the plan. Romeo thought Juliet had died, and visited her grave often. Romeo committed suicide, and Juliet discovered Romeo had died when she awoke. She then took her own life.
Romeo and Juliet, a tragic drama with many challenges for the characters, tells a story of love and a struggle to live together through marriage. Romeo, Juliet, and their families are divided by two hostile families. There are many wars and disputes between the two families.
References:
Jonathan Goldberg is the author of the original text. (1982). The Politics of Renaissance Literature. Review Essay
David Bevington is a scholar who has made significant contributions to the study of literature. He has written extensively on Shakespeare and other English Renaissance playwrights, and his works have been praised for their clarity and insight. (1986). Romeo and Juliet
William, Marcia. (Oct 15, 2013). The Oxford Companion to English Literature is a reference book that contains a comprehensive overview of literary history and culture in the English language. It contains information about authors, works, genres, and literary terms. Oxford University Press. P.545
