General Study Notes Quiz

Humanists of the Renaissance

• The humanists were scholars and writers who focused on classical literature and philosophy, emphasizing human potential and individual achievement.
• They believed in the importance of education, reason, and individual expression.

The Renaissance

• A key characteristic of the Renaissance in Italy was the rediscovery of classical learning and the pursuit of human excellence.
• Artists, writers, and scientists sought to emulate the achievements of ancient Greece and Rome.

Beginning of the Renaissance

• The Renaissance originated in Italy during the 14th century.

Renaissance in England

• The wave of Renaissance progress reached England in the late 15th and early 16th centuries.

Thomas More

• Thomas More was the first English humanist of the Renaissance.
• He was a lawyer, social philosopher, and author.
• He was a devout Catholic and served as Lord Chancellor of England.
• He was known for his integrity and his opposition to the Reformation.

English Writings of Thomas More

• More's English writings included "Utopia," a satirical social commentary about an ideal society.
• He was also a renowned writer of English prose.

More's Ideal Society

• More envisioned a future society based on communal living, equality, and Christian values.
• His work "Utopia" showcased his ideal world built on reason, justice, and harmony.

Machiavelli and Power

• The play "Henry IV, Part II" by William Shakespeare features a character named Machiavel who expresses a cynical view of power and morality.
• He argues that ambition often trumps ethical considerations in the pursuit of power.

Elizabethan Age

• The Elizabethan Age is known for its flourishing of English literature, theater, and exploration.
• The period is named after Queen Elizabeth I, who reigned from 1558 to 1603.

The Restoration Period

• The Restoration period occurred in the 17th century, specifically between 1660 and 1688.
• This era witnessed the restoration of the monarchy after the English Civil War.

The Great Vowel Shift

• A major phonetic change during the transition from Middle English to Early Modern English was known as the Great Vowel Shift.
• This shift affected the pronunciation of vowels in English, changing the sound of many words.

Anglo-Saxon Period

• The Anglo-Saxon period in English history begins around 449 AD and ends around 1066 AD.

Anglo-Saxon Origins

• The Anglo-Saxons originated in the Germanic regions of northern Europe, including present-day Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands.

Early English Literature

• The group of tribes associated with the early origins of English literature were the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes.

Renaissance Influence on Elizabethan Age

• The Renaissance had a profound influence on the Elizabethan Age, marked by a revival of classical learning, a focus on humanism, and a flourishing of art, literature, and intellectual pursuits.

English Literature during James I's Reign

• The period of English literature coinciding with the reign of James I is known as the Jacobean era, from 1603 to 1625.

Transition from Middle Ages to Modern Age

• The significant cultural movement marking the transition from the Middle Ages to the Modern Age is the Renaissance.

Middle English Period

• The Middle English Period in English literature spans from approximately 1150 to 1500.

Victorian Period

• The Victorian Period in English Literature falls between 1837 and 1901, encompassing the reign of Queen Victoria.

Twelfth Night Title

• The title "Twelfth Night" refers to the 12th night after Christmas, a time of celebration and revelry, often marked by masquerades and festive gatherings.
• It is a traditional feast day, celebrated in some cultures.
• The significance of the title is its connection to the play’s themes of mistaken identity, celebration, and the complexities of love and desire.

Shakespeare's Literary Technique

• A prominent literary technique featured in the works of William Shakespeare is dramatic irony, where the audience knows more than the characters in the play, creating suspense and humor.

Viola and Sebastian

• At the beginning of "Twelfth Night," Viola and Sebastian are separated during a shipwreck.
• Both believe the other is dead, leading to a series of mistaken identities and comedic complications.

Elizabethan Era Authors

• Christopher Marlowe, Edmund Spenser, and Ben Jonson are all associated with the Elizabethan era. John Milton was a prominent writer in the 17th century.

Interludes in Renaissance Drama

• Interludes in Renaissance drama served a significant purpose of entertaining audiences between courses at banquets and feasts.

Masques in Renaissance Drama

• Masques, performed during the Renaissance, were elaborate and spectacular productions involving elaborate costumes, music, dancing, and allegorical themes.
• They were often performed for royal audiences to celebrate special occasions.

Beginning of Professional Theater in London

• The event that marked the beginning of professional theater in London was the establishment of permanent theater companies in the latter half of the 16th century.

The Globe Theater

• A unique feature of the Globe theater, built in 1599, was its open-air design and its use of a thrust stage that extended out into the audience.

Globe Theater Performances

• Plays were typically performed in early theaters like the Globe during the day, without artificial lighting.
• The stage was often bare, relying heavily on the actors' voices, gestures, and the audience's imagination to bring the story to life.

Women in Renaissance Plays

• Boys typically acted the parts of women in Renaissance plays.

Interlude Characteristics

• Interludes, a type of short play popular during the Renaissance, often used comic situations and moral themes to entertain and teach.

Masque Context

• Masques were typically performed in lavish settings, like royal courts and palaces, for elite audiences.

Hamlet's Betrayal

• Hamlet's sense of betrayal and despair is triggered by his father's murder and the subsequent marriage of his mother to his uncle, Claudius, the murderer.

Shakespeare's Dark Comedies

• Shakespeare's dark comedies written during his later period, such as "Measure for Measure" and "All's Well That Ends Well," are characterized by their exploration of complex moral issues, social satire, and bittersweet endings.

Second Period Plays

• The play "The Merchant of Venice" is considered outside of Shakespeare's second period of writing, which primarily encompassed his great tragedies, from 1600 to 1608.

Shakespeare and Greek Tragedies

• In his tragedies, Shakespeare's representation of man differs from that of ancient Greek tragedies in his depiction of more complex and nuanced characters, grappling with internal conflicts and moral dilemmas.
• While Greek tragedies often focused on external forces driving the plot, Shakespeare explored the internal struggles of his characters, adding a psychological dimension to his portrayal of human nature.

Evil Forces in Shakespeare

• In Shakespeare's tragedies, evil forces are not always personified as figures like witches or demons. Instead, they often manifest within individual characters, driven by ambition, greed, or jealousy.
• This internalized representation of evil adds a layer of depth and complexity to his plays.

Shakespeare's Second Period Themes

• A predominant theme in Shakespeare's tragedies written during his second period is the nature of power, its corrupting influence, and its impact on individuals and society.

Shakespeare's Second Period Genres

• During his second period, Shakespeare predominantly focused on tragedies and historical plays.

Misconception about Evil

• A common misconception about Shakespeare's portrayal of evil in his tragedies is that it is always external or supernatural.
• In actuality, he explores the darker aspects of humanity, revealing how evil can originate from within individuals and society.

Twelfth Night Theme

• "Twelfth Night" primarily explores the complexities of love, desire, and mistaken identity.

Viola's Representation

• Viola embodies the themes of disguise, self-discovery, and the power of love.

Viola's Service

• While disguised as Cesario, Viola feels a mixture of emotions about her service to Orsino.
• She is both attracted to him and torn by her own feelings for him, recognizing the impossible nature of their situation.

Mistaken Identity Complication

• The mistaken identities of Viola and Sebastian lead to a series of hilarious misunderstandings and create the central conflict of the play.

Olivia's Refusal

• Olivia initially refuses to entertain any suitors because she is mourning the loss of her brother.
• She has withdrawn from the world and is not ready for a new relationship.

Olivia's Love for Cesario

• Olivia falls in love with Cesario, believing him to be a young man, because of his charm, intelligence, and "manly" qualities.
• However, these qualities are actually a reflection of Viola's own personality and her own feelings for Orsino.

Viola's Feelings for Orsino

• Viola navigates her feelings for Orsino with a mixture of attraction and a sense of frustration.
• Her disguise as Cesario allows her to express her feelings indirectly and to explore the limits of her love for a man who is seemingly unattainable.

Disguise in Twelfth Night

• Disguise plays a pivotal role in the development of the plot in "Twelfth Night." It creates humor, mistaken identities, and allows characters to explore different aspects of their personalities.
• Viola's disguise is a device that allows her to explore her feelings for Orsino and to navigate the complexities of social expectations.