Early 17th Century English Literature Themes

Johnson's grandeur reflects a high moral and social ideal, while Donne's sensuous tone evokes intimate personal experiences and emotions.

'Paradise Lost' is significant as it provides England with its own heroic epic, embodying Puritan ideals and showcasing Milton's epic narrative style.

The Restoration marked a shift to a parliamentary monarchy where the king became a symbolic figure, and real political power resided in Parliament.

<p>Early Puritan literature primarily explored didactic themes, focusing on moral instruction and political commentary amidst a turbulent social landscape.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>'Pilgrim's Progress' influenced the novel genre by introducing allegorical elements and a journey motif, setting the groundwork for character-driven narratives.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The loss of trust in man as a rational being contributed to the expiration of Renaissance optimism.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>These styles are characterized by pessimism, the cult of death, transience, and nihilism.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Hamlet holding the skull symbolizes the awareness of mortality and the impermanence of existence.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Ben Jonson was more famous, contributing to the continuation of Renaissance ideals.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Metaphysical poetry seeks to rationally explore questions beyond human reality, connecting physicality with spiritual spheres.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Charles I's belief in the divine rights of kings led to conflicts with Parliament and escalating tensions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Cavalier poets represented the aristocracy and created works reflecting courtly life and loyalty to the monarchy.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The Commonwealth period led to the emergence of more politically charged and devout literary works.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Morality plays feature characters representing abstract qualities like virtues and vices, focusing on human psychology and moral lessons, while farce ridicules human faults through humor.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The Reformation resulted in the banning of religious plays, prompting a shift towards secular themes in theatre.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Censorship limited the range of playwrights and helped elevate Shakespeare by reducing competition and ensuring his works received royal approval.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The Master of Revels, particularly Edmund Tilney, monitored and approved theatrical content to ensure its appropriateness for public performance.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Restrictions led to fewer actor companies and ensured that existing companies adhered strictly to content guidelines favored by the royalty.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The courtyard inn represented the precursor to the first permanent theatres, providing a structured environment for performances.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The Elizabethan period is seen as the climax of English theatre, characterized by professional theatre companies and iconic playwrights like Shakespeare.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Censorship limited playwrights' creative freedom, compelling them to navigate restrictions while still conveying meaningful narratives.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Education, example, and government.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>They asserted that all people are equal and entitled to the same rights, challenging old regimes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>He was supported by young authors eager for social change.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>He emphasized the importance of expressing genuine emotions in poetry.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>They respected naturalness and saw poetry as a reflection of both nature and common life.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>His mental and physical health struggles contributed to the complexity of his themes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Wordsworth focused on simple, accessible themes, while Coleridge explored mysterious and supernatural elements.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It advocated for poetry in ordinary language that was accessible to common people.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>He reflected on individualism and historical events, often involving solitary characters.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It was due to his essay on atheism, highlighting his non-conformist beliefs.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The Oxford Movement believed that if religion was universally accepted, crime and poverty would disappear.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Darwin's theory of evolution suggested that man was not created in six days, introducing the idea of 'survival of the fittest' which contrasted with religious narratives.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The rise of the middle classes led to the abandonment of agricultural land by upper classes, which in turn fostered new social aspirations and changes in lifestyle.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Victorian literature acted as a mirror of reality, using critical realism to illustrate and critique social issues such as class exploitation and moral hypocrisy.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The central theme of 'Oliver Twist' includes the exploration of child labor, poverty, and the social indifference faced by the working class.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Thackeray often elicited laughter by exposing the hypocrisy and immoral values of the middle and upper classes, contrasting with Dickens' emphasis on pathos.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>'Dickensian features' refer to the characteristics found in Dickens' works that focus on London's working class, including themes of poverty and social cruelty.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Victorian moral values placed strong emphasis on traditional family structures, often promoting a notion where the husband held the upper hand in familial dynamics.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p><em>Robinson Crusoe</em> portrays the protagonist as resourceful and optimistic, embodying the search for faith and the ideal of rational thought during the Enlightenment.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Romanticism emphasizes emotion, mysticism, and spirituality over reason and logic, reflecting a shift towards valuing personal experience and creativity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The innocent heroine often suffers at the hands of a passionate, deviant man, symbolizing innocence trapped in a corrupted world.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Gothic settings frequently feature remote, solitary places like castles or ruins, often accompanied by macabre and gloomy atmospheres.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Gothic novels aim to evoke discomfort, horror, and chilling terror through themes of pain, suffering, and eroticism.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The 'Sublime' in Romantic literature refers to experiences that provoke awe and terror, emphasizing uncontrollable natural forces over human reason.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Gothic characters are often driven by passion and perverse impulses, contrasting with the rational, educated gentleman valued in Enlightenment thought.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Samuel Richardson popularized the epistolary format through compilations of letters, showcasing intimate and personal storytelling.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Gothic literature provides early insight into irrational and perverse impulses under the surface of civilized society, often critiquing male dominance.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Mary Shelley, known for <em>Frankenstein</em>, and Bram Stoker, famous for <em>Dracula</em>, exemplify 19th-century Gothic literature.</p> Signup and view all the answers