Great figures and important periods of poetry from 1500-1700

THE PERIOD OF THE RENAISSANCE (1500-1600)

The Renaissance period in English literature is also known as the Elizabethan period or the Shakespearean era. Renaissance means the rebirth of knowledge, and in its broadest sense it is the gradual enlightenment of the human mind after the darkness of the Middle Ages. This time defended humanism, emphasizing man’s concern for himself as an object of contemplation. The Italian writers Dante, Boccaccio and Petrarca started this movement, which soon spread to other countries in Europe. Also, revealing the writer’s own self became interesting. Sensitivity to formal beauty and cultivation of the aesthetic sense lead to the exquisite lyrical poetry of the Elizabethan era.

The poetry of the Elizabethan era opens with Sir Thomas Wyatt and the Earl of Surrey. Another big name is Thomas Sackville. Thomas Sackville, unlike Wyatt and Surrey, is not a cheerful writer, but he is superior to them in poetic technique. Sir Philip Sidney and Spenser made their mark by unleashing their imaginations and providing fantastic images, which were characteristic of Elizabethan poetry. Though Shakespeare overshadows with his plays, his sonnets reach the mark of poetic excellence.

THE PURITAN AGE (1600-1660)

English literature of the seventeenth century can be divided into two periods: the Puritan Age and the Restoration Period. The seventeenth century can be explained as the decline of the Renaissance spirit. The break with the past was achieved and the modern spirit emerged in the broadest sense of the term. The 17th century until 1660 was dominated by Puritanism. Although the Renaissance brought culture with it, it was mostly sensual and pagan and needed some kind of sobriety and depth, which were brought by the Puritan movement. The Puritan movement defended the freedom of the people from the shackles of the despotic ruler, as well as the introduction of morality and high ideals into politics. Milton was the greatest poet of the Puritan era and stands out above all his contemporaries.

Puritan poetry also called Jacobean and Carolina can be divided into three parts;

1. Poetry of the Spenser school

2. Poetry of the metaphysical school

3. Poetry of the arrogant poets

(1) Spenser’s school

The Spenserians were followers of Spenser. These writers have written pastorals and allegories in Spenser’s flamboyant and fuzzy style. However, they didn’t move far enough to take us into the realm of romance, as Spenser’s masterpiece does. We also find shadows of Sidney and Shakespeare present in his work.

(2) The poets of the metaphysical school

They are called metaphysical poets not because they are so philosophical, but because their poetry is full of presumptions, exaggerations, display of knowledge, similes, and implausible metaphors. The leader of this school was John Donne with followers such as Herrick, Thomas Carew, Richard Crashaw, Henry Vaughan, and George Herbert.

(3) Horsemen poets

The arrogant poets followed Ben Johnson, who followed the classical method in his poetry and imitated Horace. His verse had classical dignity and good sense, but lacked grace and ease. Important figures of this time are Herrick, Lovelace and Suckling.

THE PERIOD OF RESTORATION (1660-1700)

In English literature, the period 1660-1700 is called the Restoration period, because the monarch Charles 2 returned to England from exile in France and became king.

Dryden was the prominent figure of this era, which is why it is also called the Dryden era. Carlos 2 and his followers, who had enjoyed a gay life in France during their exile, did their best to develop that kind of fluency in England as well. All restraints and restrictions were thrown to the winds. The restoration period began to imitate the French writers. The old Elizabethan spirit, with its patriotism, love of adventure, creative vigor, and puritanism with its moral disciplines and love of freedom, became a thing of the past. Realism and precision became the main qualities of this era. When writers painted the royal pictures of corrupt society and court, a crude and inferior type of literature was produced. Little by little the trend changed and both virtue and vice were juxtaposed. In this way, precision and frankness became the eminent qualities of this era.

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