SIW № 2.

Theme English Literature of the 15-th century - 1

academic hour
Pragma-professional, problem-based tasks (case studies)

1. Pre-Renaissance period: historic background

The Pre-Renaissance era, sometimes referred to as the Middle Ages or
the Medieval Period, spanned from the 5th to the 15th centuries CE.
Significant political, social, and cultural developments occurred
during this time period in Europe, including the fall of the Western
Roman Empire, the spread of Christianity, and the advent of
feudalism.
Early in the era, barbarian invasions from outside of Europe created
significant disruption and instability while dividing Europe into many
kingdoms and empires. But as time went on, other political systems
appeared, such as feudalism, a hierarchical form of social
organization centered on lord allegiance and land ownership.
The Church controlled intellectual life during this time, and education
mostly consisted of religious instruction. However, there were some
noteworthy contributions to philosophy, science, and the arts,
including Thomas Aquinas' writings, the evolution of the Gothic
architectural style, and the creation of the printing press.
2.  Pre-Renaissance literature
The term "pre-Renaissance literature" describes the literary creations
that took place in Europe between the fifth and the fifteenth centuries.
The majority of the literature during this time period was produced in
Latin and mostly dealt with religious subjects.
The epic poem, which frequently recounted tales of heroes and
legendary individuals, was one of the most important genres of
literature throughout the Pre-Renaissance era. The French epic The
Song of Roland and the Anglo-Saxon epic Beowulf are two of the
most well-known examples.
Sermons, homilies, and hagiographies (biographies of saints) were all
common forms of religious literature at this period. Numerous of
these writings were produced in Latin by monks and other religious
people with the intention of advancing Church doctrine.
A significant literary genre throughout the Pre-Renaissance era was
the allegory, which employed figurative people and objects to impart
religious or moral messages. The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri
is the most well-known example of this, using the poet's trip through
Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven as a metaphor for the journey of the
human soul towards God.
Poetry was also well-liked during this period, with genres like the
troubadour lyric and the chanson de geste (a sort of epic poetry)
gaining popularity across Europe, particularly in France.
3. Thomas More: life and works
English lawyer, philosopher, statesman, and novelist Thomas More
(1478–1535) is well known for his work "Utopia." More was raised in
London by a prominent lawyer and judge and completed his classical
education at Oxford University and St. Anthony's School.
Following graduation, More practiced law, entered politics, served as
a Member of Parliament, and finally rose to the position of courtier to
King Henry VIII. He had a reputation as a fierce supporter of the
Church because he was a fervent Catholic who fiercely fought the
Protestant Reformation.
"Utopia," More's most well-known piece, was released in 1516. The
fictional island civilization in the novel is based on the concepts of
common property, shared work, and religious tolerance. It is
described as a political and social satire. The title of the novel,
"Utopia," has subsequently come to represent an ideal society or
planet.
Other writings by More, besides "Utopia," include "The History of
King Richard III" and "A Dialogue of Comfort Against Tribulation,"
a work of Christian apologetics that he penned while held in the
Tower of London.
- More’s biography
Thomas More was born in London on February 7, 1478, to John
More, a lawyer and judge, and Agnes Graunger. He received his early
education at St. Anthony's School in London and later went on to
study at Oxford University, where he excelled in Greek and Latin.
In 1504, More married Jane Colt, and the couple had four children
together. However, Jane died in 1511, and More later married Alice
Middleton, a wealthy widow who had a daughter from a previous
marriage.
More's career in politics began in 1504 when he was elected to
Parliament as a representative for the borough of Great Yarmouth. He
would go on to serve in Parliament several more times and became
known for his eloquent speeches and his opposition to corruption in
government.
When Henry VIII declared himself the head of the Church of England
in 1534, More refused to acknowledge the king's authority and was
imprisoned in the Tower of London on charges of treason. He was
tried and convicted in 1535 and was executed by beheading on July 6
of that year.
- More’s writings
"Utopia" (1516): More's most famous work, "Utopia," is a political
satire that describes an imaginary island society based on principles of
communal property, shared labor, and religious tolerance. The book
has since become synonymous with an ideal society or world.
"The History of King Richard III" (1513-1518): More wrote this work
as a Tudor propaganda piece that portrayed Richard III, the last
Plantagenet king, as a cruel and ruthless tyrant who was responsible
for the murders of his two nephews, the Princes in the Tower.
There were also: "The Life of John Picus, Earl of Mirandola"
(1510), "De Tristitia Christi" (1522), "A Merry Jest" (c. 1520), "A
Dialogue of Comfort Against Tribulation" (1534).
4. Thomas More’s novel “Utopia” (plot analysis)
Thomas More published a book titled "Utopia" in 1516. The book is a
work of fiction about a utopian island community where everything is
wonderful. The book is structured as a conversation between the
author and Raphael Hythloday, a made-up figure who depicts the
island civilization of Utopia.
The book is split into two sections. Hythlodaydiscusses his journey to
the New World and his encounter with the island community of
Utopia in the first section. In the novel's second section, More and his
companions debate the virtues of Utopia and how its tenets may be
applied to English society.
The concept of an ideal society serves as the main topic of "Utopia."
More uses the book to criticize the social and political systems of his
own day and to put out an alternative, humanistic-values-based vision
of society. He envisions a society in which everyone is treated
equally, there is no poverty or inequality, and the public is involved in
political decision-making. The political satire "Utopia" by More
exposes the selfishness and corruption in his own society while
presenting a positive outlook for the future.