大学英文学第二课.ppt

Part III. Renaissance Renaissance in European history, refers to the period between 14th century to 17th century. “Renaissance” means “revival”, the revival of interest in Ancient Greek and Roman culture and getting rid of conservatism in feudalist Europe and introducing new ideas that express the interests of the rising bourgeoisie. It started in Italy and ended in England and Spain. Historical Background The breaking up of feudal relations and the establishing of the foundations of capitalism; The enclosure; the war of the Roses; the strengthening of the absolute monarchy; the rise of the bourgeoisie; the defeat of the Spanish Armada. New social and economic conditions brought about great changes in the development of science and art. So with the strengthening of new bourgeois national state, this period is marked by a flourishing of national culture known as the Renaissance. Two Striking Features of the Renaissance 1) A thirsting curiosity for the classical literature; 2) The keen interest in the activities of humanity( People ceased to look upon themselves as living only for God and a future world and turned to admiration for human beauty and human achievement) Renaissance marks the transition from medieval to modern world, from feudal to capitalist, from religious to secular society. In this period the European humanist thinkers and scholars made attempts to abolish old feudal ideas in medieval Europe (the church-centered culture which were characterized by God-centeredness, other worldliness and asceticism.) and to introduce new ideas of the rising bourgeoisie ( humanism, the man-centered culture in which man is the measure of all things.), and to carry out religious reformation. Humanism The Renaissance was marked by the spread of humanism, the keynote (the great spirit) of Renaissance. It sprang as a result of rediscovery and restudy of the Greek and Roman civilization which is based on the conception that the man is the measure of all things, the