Chapter 3 English Literature in the renaissance l A Historical Background l. The Overview of the literature (1485-1660) Printing press-readership-growth of middle class-trade- education for laypeople -centralization of power -intellectual life exploration -new impetus and direction of literature Humanism-study of the literature of classical antiquity and reformed education Literary style-modeled on the ancients The effect of humanism -the dissemination of the cultivated clear, and sensible attitude of its classically educated adherents 1. poetry The first tendency by sidney and spenser: ornate florid highly figured style The second tendency by Donne: metaphysical style complexity and ingenuity The third tendency by johnson reaction --Classically pure and restrained style The fourth tendency by milton central christian and biblical tradition a. the native tradition and classical examples b. the drama stands highest in popular estimation Marlowe Shakespeare-Jonson. 3. Prose a. translation of Bible b more C Ba Il. English poetry 1. Sir Thomas Wyatt and Henry howard courtly makers (1) Wyatt introducing sonnets (2)Howard: introducing sonnets and writing the first 2. Sir Philip Sidney-poet, critic, prose writer (1) Life7 Chapter 3 English Literature in the Renaissance I.A Historical Background II.The Overview of the Literature （1485-1660） Printing press—readership—growth of middle class—trade￾education for laypeople-centralization of power-intellectual life￾exploration-new impetus and direction of literature. Humanism-study of the literature of classical antiquity and reformed education. Literary style-modeled on the ancients. The effect of humanism-the dissemination of the cultivated, clear, and sensible attitude of its classically educated adherents. 1. poetry The first tendency by Sidney and Spenser: ornate, florid, highly figured style. The second tendency by Donne: metaphysical style— complexity and ingenuity. The third tendency by Johnson: reaction——Classically pure and restrained style. The fourth tendency by Milton: central Christian and Biblical tradition. 2. Drama a. the native tradition and classical examples. b. the drama stands highest in popular estimation: Marlowe – Shakespeare – Jonson. 3. Prose a. translation of Bible; b. More; c. Bacon. II.English poetry. 1. Sir Thomas Wyatt and Henry Howard （courtly makers） （1） Wyatt: introducing sonnets. （2） Howard: introducing sonnets and writing the first blank verse. 2. Sir Philip Sidney—poet, critic, prose writer （1） Life: