Intro: Goodmorning everyone, today Dylan and I are going to be telling you about

the time period, the Renaissance and the English literature during this time.

The Renaissance
The Renaissance is a period in European history, making the transition between the
Middle Ages and the modern era. Lasting from the 15th century till 1660, but there are
also proponents of a ‘long Renaissance’ from the 14th till the 17th century. There are
important developments that happened in the Renaissance: Renewed interest,
Reformation and different ways of thinking. The Renaissance was a period of
European cultural, political, artistic and economic “rebirth”.

First of all, there was a renewed interest in the cultures of ancient Greece and Rome.
The writings and teachings of these cultures were already known and appreciated for
their wisdom. But due to the fact that in the Middle Ages almost everyone was
Christian, the views on certain subjects that were discussed in these works didn’t
align with the people’s views at the time and so they didn’t see these ancient works
as truthful. During the Renaissance this changed, and the Greek and Roman writers
became the examples of writers of that time.

the influence on the UK during the Renaissance was indirect but significant. The
ideas and cultural shifts spread through trade routes and interactions with scholars
and artists, influencing British art, architecture, literature, and science. During this
era, the foundation was established for upcoming intellectual and artistic
advancements in the United Kingdom.

Literature
The big changes that took place in the Renaissance effected the English literature.
First off books and manuscripts became more accessible to everyone, because of
the printing press invention, which made it easy to spread information.
There is also a change in the themes and genres of literature. Literature started
focusing less on religious themes and more on themes regarding human feelings
and interests. The aim was to awaken thoughts of logical thinking and the spirit to
investigate.

“Lazarillo de Tormes” Anonymous

Lazarillo de Tormes" is a Spanish Novell from the 16th century, often considered the
first picaresque novel. The story unfolds through the eyes of Lazarillo, a young boy
born poor, who becomes a street-smart. As Lazarillo moves through different social
classes, serving various masters, he encounters a series of challenging and often
funny situations.

"Lazarillo de Tormes" is noteworthy for its unique storytelling style and exploration of
societal issues. It provides a different perspective in literature by depicting the life of
an ordinary person, depart from the common chivalric romances of the time.