British Literature Unit 2 Notes

began the Tudor dynasty by defeating Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485. He cemented his claim with marriage to Elizabeth of York (the opposing house).

Henry VII

(second Tudor King) he ruled with a despotic position, as he believed firmly in the divine right of kings. His marriage to Catherine of Aragon produced only a daughter, threatening England’s political stability. Broke with the Church of Rome when they denied him a divorce.

Henry VIII

(third Tudor King) was a minor when he ascended to the throne, and, through regents, steered England toward reformation

Edward VI

(fourth Tudor King) a devout Catholic who set out to reverse Edward’s reformation. She prosecuted Protestants for heresy and alienated even her supporters with her harsh policies. She died of cancer after only five years on the throne

Mary I

(fifth Tudor King) a Protestant, she quickly restored the Church of England. Under her leadership, England grew as a nation and enjoyed a cultural golden age.

Elizabeth I

• part of a broader Northern Renaissance that focused less on art and more on the movement’s intellectual side. 

• English universities changed their curriculum to reflect this; nobles traveled to southern Europe to gain experience with Renaissance learning and art

The English Renaissance

• a rational philosophy informed by science and inspired by art that supports the maximization of individual liberty

• focused on man and his environment, both social and natural

Humanism

often considered the Father of the Reformation because of the publication of his Ninety-Five Theses that helped galvanize the movement

Martin Luther

the forerunner of the Reformation

John Wycliffe

during whose reign did they require churches to use the Book of Common Prayer, a Protestant liturgy?

Edward VI

expanded her borders and developed wealthy new-world colonies. She led in trade and colonization and had the Pope’s favor

Spain

English privateers who harassed and plundered Spanish ships and ports. They also explored trade routes and claimed new-world territory for England.

Sir Francis Drake and John Hawkins

during what year did England defeat the Spanish Armada under the command of Sir Francis Drake.

1588

was the first Stuart ruler. He was originally the king of Scotland, but the childless Elizabeth named him as her successor on her deathbed. In Scotland, James was only the head of the nation; in England, he was the head of the country and Church of England

James I

the second Stuart king. Charles embraced the “divine right of kings,” believing that he had complete power granted by God to do whatever he wanted. At the end of his reign, a civil war began, and he was beheaded.

Charles I

made books more affordable

printing press

 what type of English began during the Renaissance

Modern English

• Increasing social mobility meant that people wanted to better themselves educationally 

• The printing press made books more affordable. 

• With more people possessing the ability to read, writers had a larger and broader audience. 

• Because literature contained many different strands from many different literary traditions, it had a popular appeal.

• centered more often on man and his internal and external life, and engaged more in newly-developed subjects. 

Renaissance Literature

five areas of rhetoric?

inventions, arrangement, style, memory, and delivery. 

refers to content that appeals to a reader’s logic, emotions, or respect for a particular authority in order to make the author’s case 

Rhetorical appeals

language that departs from standard or literal usage for meaning or effect

Figurative language

deviations from standard use of language usually in syntax, in order to create an effect

Rhetorical devices

indirect reference to ideas outside a work of literature, usually from history or another literary work with which authors assume audiences will be familiar

Allusions