Ch 4: The English Renaissance: Help and Review
About This Chapter
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- Students who have fallen behind in understanding William Shakespeare and other writers of the Renaissance
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- Find videos in our course that cover what you need to learn or review.
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- Verify you're ready by completing the English Renaissance chapter exam.
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Students will review:
This chapter helps students review the concepts in an English Renaissance unit of a standard introductory humanities course. Topics covered include:
- Shakespeare's influence on English literature
- Shakespeare's life
- Themes from Hamlet
- Characters in Romeo and Juliet
- John Milton's life and poems
- Writers of the 17th and 18th centuries
1. Baron De Montesquieu: Ideas, Accomplishments & Facts
Much of the structure of the world we live in now has been influenced by the writings of the French political scholar Baron De Montesquieu. His upbringing allowed him to create writings and ideas, such as the separation of powers, that spread across the world and have stood the test of time.
2. Hamlet: Beyond the Famous Soliloquy
Hamlet is a play written by William Shakespeare and published in 1603, about a family drama that follows Hamlet's moral struggles after he learns his uncle Claudius murdered the king, Hamlet's father. Explore the plot and discover the characters and themes of the iconic tragedy beyond Hamlet's famous soliloquy.
3. Romeo and Juliet: Shakespeare's Famous Star-Crossed Lovers
'Romeo and Juliet' is a famous tragedy play written by William Shakespeare. The story follows two star-crossed lovers who desire to be together despite the ongoing feud between both families. Learn about the plot, characters, and the importance of love and fate in Shakespeare's tragedy play.
4. Macbeth: Themes and Quotes from the Scottish Play
The tragedy called 'Macbeth' also known as 'The Scottish Play' illustrates how ambition can destroy a family and ultimately a kingdom. Explore the characters, the plot, and the themes and quotes in this play and what they mean.
5. Introduction to Renaissance Literature: Characterizing Authors and Works
The English Renaissance is often considered by critics to be when Western literature, drama, and poetry came of age. Discover important literary figures of the English Renaissance, including playwrights William Shakespeare, Christopher Marlow, Ben Jonson; poets Edmund Spenser and John Donne; and essayists Philip Sidney (literary criticism) and Francis Bacon (science and conducting experiments).
6. Introduction to Shakespeare: Life and Works
William Shakespeare was a renowned English playwright, actor, and poet who composed several masterpieces of literature that continue to impact society. However, scholars know surprisingly little about his life. Learn what we do know about the life of William Shakespeare and the type of literature that he composed, and read a summary of his significant works.
7. Introduction to John Milton: Life and Major Poems
John Milton was a political figure and essayist who is also regarded as one of England's finest poets. Learn about Milton's life, including his political beliefs, and explore his involvement in Oliver Cromwell's Commonwealth. Review some of Milton's major poems, such as 'Paradise Lost,' and analyze Milton's writing style.
8. Introduction to 17th- and 18th-Century Literature: Major Authors and Works
The 200 years that spanned the 17th and 18th centuries saw an explosion of major authors, works, and styles in English literature. Discover the authors and major literary movements at end of the Renaissance (known as the Jacobean era); Caroline, Interregnum, and Restoration periods; and Neoclassism (or Augustan era).
9. Christopher Marlowe's Hero and Leander: Summary & Analysis
Examine the epic poem Hero and Leander by Christopher Marlowe. Review a summary of the poem, explore its mythical characters and themes, and analyze the poem's literary devices.
10. Pamphilia to Amphilanthus by Mary Wroth: Summary & Analysis
'Pamphilia to Amphilanthus' is a sonnet sequence by Mary Wroth that has 105 poems about a woman and her unfaithful lover. Study the summary and analysis of this sonnet sequence, and learn about Lady Mary Wroth.
11. Riders to the Sea: Summary, Symbolism, Theme & Analysis
J.M. Synge's ''Riders to the Sea'' is an intimate, one-act play about grief in a small Irish fishing village. Explore the play's setting and a summary of the plot, then analyze its language, themes, and symbolism.
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Other Chapters
Other chapters within the Introduction to Humanities: Help and Review course
- Literary Terms & Techniques: Help and Review
- Literary Time Periods: Help and Review
- Literature of the Middle Ages: Help and Review
- Literature of the Victorian Era: Help and Review
- British Romanticism: Help and Review
- British Literature of the 20th Century: Help and Review
- Literary Modernism: Help and Review
- Romantic Poetry: Help and Review
- World Literature - Drama: Help and Review
- Poetry of the Ancient and Modern Worlds: Help and Review
- Prominent American Novelists: Help and Review
- Philosophy and Nonfiction: Help and Review
- History of Visual Art: Help and Review
- History of Architecture: Help and Review
- Basic Elements of Music: Help and Review
- Overview of Opera and Orchestral Music: Help and Review
- Intro to Medieval Music: Help and Review
- Intro to Renaissance Music: Help and Review
- Intro to the Baroque Period in Music: Help and Review
- Music's Classical Period: Help and Review
- Music's Romantic Period: Help and Review
- Music of the Modern Era: Help and Review
- Overview of Jazz Music: Help and Review
- Intro to Musical Theater and Popular Music: Help and Review
- Intro to World Music: Help and Review
- Introduction to the Performing Arts: Help and Review
- Introduction to Morality
- Moral Belief Systems
- Ancient Greek Views on Ethics
- Theories of Natural & Moral Law
- Consequentialist & Non-Consequentialist Philosophies
- Morality Within Western Religion
- Issues of Morality in Life & Death
- Moral Issues in Economic Equality & Poverty
- Philosophical Theory & the Justice System
- Moral Issues in Peacetime & War
- Human Rights Ethics
- Moral Issues in Relationships & Sexuality
- Biomedical Ethics
- Morality in Business
- Environmental Ethics
- Historical Periods & Figures of the Fine Arts