BRITISH CRITICISM DURING THE RENAISSANCE--Blamiers

BRITISH CRITICISM DURING THE RENAISSANCE--Blamiers

M. Phil English, Bharathiar University--Blamiers--Approaches--Unit I

The RENAISSANCE

BRITISH CRITICISM DURING THE RENAISSANCE

Summary by Dr. S. Sreekumar

Note: The summary is in FIVE parts

PART I

INTRODUCTION

The term ‘Renaissance’ stands for different things for different people. For the students of literature, the term signifies the rediscovery of the classics of Greece and Rome. Scholars edited, translated and commented on the classics during the Renaissance.  With the fall of Constantinople in 1453, scholars drifted to many European cities carrying the literary treasures with them.

With the Renaissance, Europe came into contact with Greek and Latin Classics. This led to an intellectual/cultural awakening in Europe.  Till the Renaissance human activity was centered in the divine scheme of creation and redemption. Classical writers had placed man in the centre of the universe and the ideals of ‘Humanism’ spread throughout Europe.

Classical styles and genres created new models of art. In this new type, poise and polish, balance and decorum became key factors.

BRITISH CRITICISM IN THE MIDDLE AGES--Blamiers

M. Phil English, Bharathiar University--Blamiers--Approaches--Unit I

The Middle Ages

BRITISH CRITICISM IN THE MIDDLE AGES

Summary by Dr. S. Sreekumar

Romans left Britain at the beginning of the fifth century. Subsequent invasion by the Angles and Saxons created two centuries of skirmishes, wars and other uncertainties leaving little chance for any cultural flowering. We have to wait till the 7^th century to see the establishment of order and sanity in civil life. In this century we see Ireland and England shining as the centres of Latin culture. A Benedictine Abbey was founded in 674 at Wearmouth and books were brought from Rome to the monastic library. One of the most celebrated of English scholars, Bede, spent his time in the cloisters. He was not only a Biblical scholar but also one very much interested in history and science.

Literary Criticism--Middle Ages

M. Phil English, Bharathiar University--Blamiers--Approaches--Unit I

The Middle Ages

The Middle Ages

In the closing decades of the 4^th century, Roman Empire came under repeated attacks by barbarian invaders like Goths, Huns and Vandals. Rome finally fell to Alaric, king of the Visigoths in 410 A.D.

The centuries between the fall of the Roman Empire and the Renaissance are called the Dark Ages. The Middle Ages [from 12^th century to the Renaissance] constitute a part of the Dark Ages.