Renaissance and Reformations: An Introduction to Early Modern English Literature (Wiley Blackwell Introductions to Literature)

This volume offers a description of early modern habits of writing and reading, of publication and stage performance, and of political and religious writing. An introduction to early modern English literature for students and general readers. Considers the ways in which early modern writers construct the past, recover and adapt classical genres, write about people and places, and tackle religious and secular controversies. Illustrated with a profusion of excerpts from early modern texts. Writers represented include More, Erasmus, Spenser, Marlowe, Shakespeare, Donne, and Milton, as well as less well known authors. Designed For Both Students And General Readers, This Introduction To Renaissance And Reformation Literature Offers A Description Of Early Modern Habits Of Writing And Reading, Of Publication And Stage Performance. It Considers The Ways In Which Early Modern Writers Constructed The Past And Designed The Present, Wrote About People And Places, Recovered And Adapted Classical Genres, And Tackled Religious And Secular Controversies. All These Topics Are Illustrated With A Profusion Of Excerpts From Early Modern Texts, Including Works By More, Erasmus, Wyatt, Spenser, Philip And Mary Sidney, Marlowe, Kyd, Shakespeare, Campion, Daniel, Donne, Southwell, Dekker, Taylor 'the Water-poet', Aemilia Lanyer, Jonson, Chapman, Middleton, Mary Wroth, Ralegh, Greville, Wotton, Herbert And Milton. Throughout, Readers Are Reminded That The Consequences Of The English Reformations Were As Important As The Better Known Influences Of The Renaissance.--jacket. Introduction : New Worlds Of Words -- Speaking And Writing -- Reading, Publication, Performance -- Forms Ancient And Modern -- Defining The Past -- Designing The Present -- Fictive Persons And Places -- Godliness. Michael Hattaway. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 231-238) And Index. Illustrations 6 Acknowledgements 7 Introduction: New Worlds of Words 9 CHAPTER 1 Speaking and Writing 15 CHAPTER 2 Reading, Publication, Performance 46 CHAPTER 3 Forms Ancient and Modern 75 CHAPTER 4 Defining the Past 111 CHAPTER 5 Designing the Present 133 CHAPTER 6 Fictive Persons and Places 160 CHAPTER 7 Godliness 189 Notes 223 Bibliography 239 Index 247 John Florio, an Italian living in London, called his Italian-English dictionary of 1611 Queen Anna's New World of Words.