MIDDLE ENGLISH (iii) THE AGE OF REVIVAL- (1400-1550) [FROM CHAUCER TO SPENSER]

 

MIDDLE ENGLISH

(iii) THE AGE OF REVIVAL- (1400-1550)    [FROM CHAUCER TO SPENSER]

The 15^th century opened with the Battle of Agincourt, 1415. Henry-V led his army with just 5000 soldiers and defeated France which has 20000 soldiers. With Treaty of Troyes, French accepted all his demands. During Henry -VI’s reign, who is a shadow of the king, French regained everything under the leadership of “Joan of Arc”. It saw the fall of Constantinople in 1453, as a result Greeks flee to Italy brought the new concept ‘Humanism’. They discovered and imitated the old classical models.

War of Roses (1455-85) between two royal families, The York (white Rose) and The Lancaster (Red Rose), ended after 30 years, establishing the Tudor Dynasty by Henry -VII.

“Act of Supremacy (1529)”by Henry-VIII, declared King as supreme head of church, freed England from Roman Catholic church and established Church of England. Science and Technological inventions questioned the authorities and men started voyages to discover truth.

Columbus discovered America in 1492 and Vasco de Gama discovered India in 1498.

Queen Mary, known as Blood Mary in history, burned nearly 300 Catholics.

What is Renaissance? Renaissance (Re=again, Naissance=birth) is rebirth of knowledge or enlightenment to human mind after darkness of the Middle Ages. Italy was the home of renaissance.

Lamartine said, “Man discovered himself and the universe”.

Taine said, “Man so long blinded, had suddenly opened his eyes and seen”.

Symonds said, “The renaissance is transition from the Middle Ages to modern world”

Three most renewed authors of Italian Language: 1)     Dante: greatest epic poet, known as father of Modern Italy. Wrote Divine Comedy in 3 parts; Infernio- hell; Purgatorio- Purgatory; Paradiso- Heaven. Each part has 33 cantos, in total 99 cantos 2)     Petrarch:  greatest lyric poet, known as father of Humanism. Wrote Canzoni ere, a collection of 100 poems, to his lady, Laura. 3)     Boccaccio: Greatest prose writer, Wrote Decameron, collection of 100 short stories narrated by 10 travelers fled from Florence to escape Black death. (7 women and 3 men)

 

What is Reformation? With question spirit of the renaissance, people started questioning the evils of the church, this led to repudiation of the church. John Wycliff is the first man to ask for reformations in church. This is the beginning of the spirit of the church between Protestant and Catholic. In Germany, Martin Luther fought against the sale of papal indulgences. In France, John Calvin, proposed Calvinism, a strict form of Protestantism. In Switzerland, Zwingli, take part in this reformation. In Netherlands, Erasmus wrote praise of folly, a satire on church and Greek New Testament. Tyndale produced first New Testament in English. Coverdale is the first person to print Bible in English.

The period of 150 years after Chaucer’s death is comparatively a blank, especially in poetry. Writers started imitating Chaucer’s verse style, but lacked his genius. More focus on Classical Learning, prevented the growth of native literature.

Roger Ascham, in his book Toxophilus = lover of a bow (school of shooting) expressed his dissatisfaction over the neglect of native languages. He says, “seems everything is done better in Greek, Latin that none can do better. In English, in a manner of so meanly, that no man can do worse”

In prose, it produced one great book – Malory’s Morte D’Arthur. The invention of printing was a significant event. John Gutenberg is the first European to use printing press in movable type in 1439. In 1476, William Caxton established first wooden printing house in London.

 

English Chaucerian’s:

Thomas Hoccleve: He is principally a satirist. Calls himself as “Stupid scholar of an excellent master”.

1.   La Mala Regale – partly autobiographical and a satiric poem against poverty.

2.   A Dialogue with a friend – he satirizes women in a harsh manner.

3.   Satire against church and Churchmen.

4.   The Regiment of Princess – Written for future king Henry-V, to advice proper conduct. It has 2000- line prologue includes between beggar and Hoccleve and an address to Chaucer.

 

John Lydgate:

1.   The Story of Thebes- written to behest of the prince of Wales, later king Henry V.

2.   The Troy Book – Lydgate himself joins as pilgrim in Canterbury Tales and narrates a story.

3.   The Fall of Princess- Based on Boccaccio’s work. rise and fall of famous people

4.   London Lack Penny – his most interesting work, it describes the woes of poor men in London Street.

5.   Temple of Glass – an allegory.

 

John Skelton: Pope called him ‘Beastly Skelton’ because of his ragged and jagged verses. Erasmus called him as “The one light and Glory of British Letters.” He was tutor to King Henry VIII.

 

Skeltonic Meter: Repetition of two short beat lines with accents.

1.   Colin Clout – he severely satirized the vice of the clergy. satirized Wolsey.

2.   Why Come Ye not to Court? – he severely satirized Wolsey.

3.   Magnificence (1516): first extent political morality play.  Allegory in which prince Magnificence is first destroyed by his own ill-advised generosity and restored by good hope.

4.   Book of Philip Sparrow – it is a graceful poem on a girl whose pet bird has been killed by a cat.

 

Stephen Hawes: He followed Chaucer in his love of allegory. Both of his works are allegories.

1.   The Passetyme of Pleasure- written in rhyme royal. Main theme is education and pilgrimage of knight Grande Armoire. It influenced Spencer’s Faire Queen.

2.   The Example of Virtue.

 

Alexander Barclay: He is the first to introduce the Eclogue.

1.     Eclogues: first formal eclogues in English., pictures of rural life.

2.   Ship of Fools (1509) – about a ship of fools setting sail for the fool’s paradise, Naragonia.Author reviews different fools: a corrupt judge, a drunkard, untrained physician. It is an adaptation of popular German satire, “Das Naren Schiff” by Sebastian Grant.  It looks forward to Erasmus’ Praise of Folly.

 

George Ashby:

1.   Dicts and Sayings of various philosphers: first book to be printed by Caxton.

2.   Complaint of a prisoner in the fleet: his sufferings at prison, letter to king for mercy.

 

Scottish Chaucerian’s:

It is strange that Chaucer’s greatest disciples were Scots and not Englishmen.

 

REMEMBER THE CODE: ONE- SON- DUN-DUG - LIND

 

King James I:  wrote the Kings Quair (Kings Book) in the seven lined stanzas of Chaucer, which has since come to be called the rhyme-royal.

1.   King’s Quair (1430) – it represents King’s love-episode. He was imprisoned at the age of 11 by English and was kept as a prisoner for 19 years during his captivity, he fell in love with Lady Jane Beaufort, niece to Henry V, to whom he was married at a later stage.

 

Robert Henryson: He was a school-master. He was much greater than James; he is indeed the first major poet of Scotland.

1.   Testament of Cressida– (Testament = will) it is a sequel to Chaucer’sTroilus and Cressida, written in the same rhyme-royal stanza. His moralsense was shocked at the idea of the faithful Troilus killed and faithless Cressida living happily. So, he gave the story an ending with Cressida’s death. Diomede abandons Cressida, she becomes prostitute. Afflicted with leprosy. After hear death, as per testament, Troilus receives her ring recognizes her. He builds a tomb for her.

2.   The Wolf and the Lamb – he satirized the oppression of the poor in it. In this poem lamb signifies the poor and wolf stands for the rich.

3.   Robene and Makyne – pastoral ballad and most popular of his poems. Makyne, shepherdess woos Robin, the shepard but rejected her love.

4.   Aesop’s Fables: set of 13 moral stories.

 

William Dunbar: He ranks first in this group and has generally been acclaimed as the greatest poet of Scotland. He was a court poet and a sort of laureate of Scotland. He was known as “Burns of 15^th century”, “Chaucer of Scotland”, and “The Scottish Skelton”.

1.   Thistle and the Rose (1503) – is an allegory in rhyme-royal celebrating the marriage of James (the Thistle) with Margaret (the Rose).

2.   The Golden Targe – it is an allegory of love. Victory of Love over golden targe (or shield) of reason.

3.   Two Married Women and a Widow – the inspiration for this poem is Chaucer’sWife of Bath. In it he satirized the drinking habit of women. The remarks of these three women on their husbands and matrimony would make even the Wife of Bath Blush.

4.   Friars of Berwick – also reminiscent of Chaucer, is a scandalous tale of intrigue involving a high-ranking friar and a farmer’s wife.

5.   The Flying of Dunbar and Kennedy – Kennedy was a contemporary poet. In this poem they hurl abuses at each other.

6.   Dance of the Seven Deadly Sins – it describes a procession of the sins personified before Satan in hell.

7.   Lament for the Makers (Poets) – it is an elegy on dead poets.

Maker is Scottish term for poet.  Poiein is Greek term for the poet.  Vates is Roman term for poet.

8.   Tidings from the Sessions – it is an attack on the law courts.

9.   Satire on Edinburgh – it is a satire against the dirty conditions of the city.

10.    The Visitations of St. Francis – it is a satire on Churchmen.

 

Sir David Lyndsay: He is the last of the great Scottish poets of 15^th century.

1.   Squire Meldrum- poetic biography

 

Gavin Douglas: He was high-born, well-educated and a Bishop.

1.   Place of Honor – it is reminiscent of Chaucer’sHouse of Fameis an allegory.

2.   Conscience: famous poem

3.   King Hart – a childish allegory of life, the Hart being the heart of life, which is attended by the 5 senses.

4.   Aeneid – his fame rests on this translation. He translated 12 books of it. (Virgil wrote it originally)

 

Henry or Blind Harry: He was a successor to Barbour.

1.     Wallace – he attempted a patriotic theme in it.

 

15^th CENTURY PROSE

In prose many remarkable works were produced. Caxton loved poetry and printed Chaucer’s works as well as those of Lydgate, Gower and Malory’s Morte D’Arthur, the greatest book of the 15^thcentury.

Reginald Peacock

1.   Repressor of Overmuch Blaming of the Clergy – a defense of orthodoxy against the attacks of Wycliffe and his followers (Lollards).

Sir John Fortesque

1.   Governance of England: Famous law book in English, differentiated absolute and limited monarchy.

 

William Caxton: He was the first English printer, was also a prose writer.

1.   The Recall of the History of Troye

2.   The Game and Play of the Chess

 

Hugh Latimer: burnt by Mary

1.   Two Volumes of Sermons

 

Sir Thomas More: English lawyer, scholar and writer, became MP at the age of 21. Opposed the act of supremacy (1534). King Henry VIII remarked, “A beardless boy has disappointed the king’s purpose!”. He was arrested and beheaded, and his last words are “The king’s good servant but God’s first”

1.   Utopia (1516) – Its full title is: ‘The discourses of Raphael Hytholday of the best state of commonwealth.’ Written in Latin, translated into English by “Ralph Robinson”. this presents the picture of an imaginative ideal state on the socialistic pattern. Partly inspired from Plato’s Republic. (Note: Republic is Autocratic, Utopia is Democratic).  “It is the first monument of Modern socialism” and “True prologue to the Renaissance”.  It is a satire on Europe’s political corruption, religious hypocrisy, social evils of the society.

 

Utopia: Eu- Topia (good place in Greek). Ideal society without crime and poverty. Word coined by Thomas More. Ex: Republic by Plato, Utopia by Thomas More, Erewhon by Samuel Butler, Atlantis by Bacon, News from Nowhere by William Morris, Gulliver Travels by Swift (Utopian/Dystopian)   Dystopia: Dys-Topia (bad place in Greek). Antonym of Utopia. Community or society which is undesirable/frightening. Generally, set in future with war and crimes. Word Coined by J.S.Mill. Ex: Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, 1984 by George Orwell, Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, A clock work orange (1962) by Anthony Burges, The Handmaid Tale (1985) by Margaret Atwood.

 

Features of Utopia: 6 hours of work, 8 hours of sleep, No luxuries/idleness, No lawyers (everyone must know law and plead their case), No private property(socialism), Religious tolerance (can follow any religion), elected government, No war (believes war is brutal thing), no gambling dice games, towns with good sanitation, broad roads and pure water supply, liberty, equality and fraternity,

2.   The Life of John Pico of Mirandola:

3.   History of Richard III – dialogue of comfort against Tribulations. The only noteworthy thing about the History is the Sinister picture of Richard III adopted and popularized by Shakespeare.

 

Thomas Malory:  He was a thief, rapist and charged with number of assaults, became knight and MP.

1.   Le Morte D’Arthur (1485) – first major Prose Fiction. The greatest prose work of the 15^th centuryit is the greatest book in prose between Chaucer and Spencer. The French Arthurian romances are drawn upon to create a prose romance of great length and detail. When all scholars are busy with Greek and Roman texts, he saved the legendary poetry of English. Malory gave new personality to most characters. It has sentences beginning with then, and then and so then. It inspired Tennyson’s Idylls of the King, T.H. White’s Once and Future King, and Roland Barthes Death of an Author.

 

2^ndLord Berners (John Bourchier)

1.   Froissart's Chronicles – French Translations

2.   Huon of Bordeaux - French Translations.

3.   Golden book of Marcus Aurelius: famous work. Its ornate prose led to Euphemism. Translated by Thomas North into English.

 

Thomas Wilson:

1.   The Art of Logic: students of logic prefer ancient tongues, but prefers vulgar tongue(local Language)

2.   The Art of Rhetoric- earliest critical work on literary criticism

 

Paston Family:

1.   The Paston Letters: These were published during 15^th century, gives us considerable insight into the domestic life of the time. They reveal the social and political conditions of the age.

Thomas Elyot

1.   The Boke called the Governor (1531) – well known work, dedicated to Henry- VIII. a treatise of moral and philosophical education for the governing class. Importance of Greek and Latin to be taught to noble children.

 

Sir John Cheke

1.     The Heart of Sedition

 

Roger Ascham: The most famous and was a tutor to Elizabeth.

1.     Toxophilus (school of Shooting)– he attempts to revive the old nation sport of archery for the physical training of youth. He condemns bookworms who would not vary their studies with physical recreation. He expressed his dissatisfaction over the neglect of native languages.  He says, “seems everything is done better in Greek, Latin that none can do better. In English, in a manner of so meanly, that no man can do worse”

2.     The School Master – he deals with the education problems and the best method of teaching Latin.

 

John Foxe

1.     Book of Martyrs – he recorded the heroic deeds and words of Protestant Martyrs. He recorded the dying speech of Latimer.

 

John Knox

1.   History of the Reformation in Scotland.

 

William Tyndale

1.     The Translation of the (New Testament) Bible (1525) – translated from Latin. Opposed by Henry-VIII but it paved the way for the authorized Version of the Bible. Influenced by Erasmus (Erasmus is the first to produce Greek New Testament)

2.     The Common Prayer Book.

 

William Coverdale: disciple of Tyndale

1.     First complete Bible (English) to be printed (1535):

 

Remember: Wycliffe (first bible in 1382);  Erasmus-Latin Bible;  Tyndale- Translation of Erasmus Bible;  Coverdale- complete Bible to be printed in English.;  King Henry VIII’s Great Bible- first authorized Bible;  King James-I Bible (1611)- complete translation by 50 scholars

 

Remember: WTC -- Wycliffe, Tyndale, Coverdale