Elizabeth I, Renaissance, and English Literature

Who was Elizabeth I?

Henry VIII’s daughter and Queen of England who established a Protestant religious settlement.

What was Elizabeth I’s religious belief about her authority?

She believed her authority to rule came from God (divine authority).

What was the English Reformation?

England’s break from the pope’s authority and the establishment of the Church of England under royal authority.

What is Renaissance humanism?

A movement emphasizing the study of human life, classical Greek and Roman texts, and human potential.

How did Renaissance humanism change English education?

It encouraged the study of classical literature, rhetoric, and other subjects focused on human knowledge.

What were grammar schools?

Schools that taught mainly boys Latin, classical texts, memoization, and rhetoric.

What is rhetoric?

The art of speaking and writing effectively, especially to persuade an audience.

What were Inns of Court?

Institutions in England where students studied and trained in law.

How does Doctor Faustus connect to the Reformation?

It explores religious questions about sin, repentance, salvation, free will, and whether people are destined for damnation.

What is the difference between the Renaissance and the Reformation?

The Renaissance was a cultural movement emphasizing classical learning and human potential; the Reformation was a religious movement that challenged Catholic Church authority.

What were the two houses fighting in the War of the Roses?

The House of York and the House of Lancaster.

What were the Thirty-Nine Articles?

A statement of the Church of England’s religious beliefs, established during Elizabeth I’s reign.

What is the difference between Catholicism and Protestantism?

Catholics recognize the pope’s authority, while Protestant’s reject papal supremacy and generally emphasize the bible as the primary religious authority.

What is predestination?

The belief that God has already determined who will be saved. This is an important teaching of John Calvin.

Why is the Reformation important to Doctor Faustus?

The play explores religious questions about sin, salvation, repentance, and whether Faustus is destined for hell or can choose to repent.