At the end of the 15^th century, England was experiencing a profound change:

o   The Wars of the Roses come to an end in 1485.

o   In 1474 modern English, as a language, was born.

o   In 1492 Columbus discovered America.

o   The globe was circumnavigated and Copernicus had denied the Earth its central position within the universe.

So with all these discoveries of science and exploration, developments in art, philosophy and learning, the old order of ideas was weakened , society and individuals were both moving radically away from their medieval beliefs, the new society was based on trade and commerce.

The Renaissance in England was linked to the consolidation of the Tudor dynasty with the reign of Elizabeth I. She was the powerful monarch who provided stability to England, she was very important because she undertake the masculine responsibilities of power in a society in which the role of the woman was limited. England at that time was divided into Catholics, Protestants and, later, Puritans.

Religion was a very important issue. England’s religious life had suffered a change because of the Reformation of Henry VIII in 1533. So England became Protestant and independent with Henry VIII as Head of both Church and the State. Henry’s daughter, Mary I brought Catholicism back to England.

The Protestant England was separate from Europe, with a new religious faith and a new moral attitude.

Elisabeth had to face economics problems caused by the increase in population and price inflation. But during her reign there were also prosperity, an increase in foreign trade and exploration, the birth of scientific learning and literature culture. So it was one of the most interesting and important periods in English history.

The new faith, Protestantism, influenced literature, music, learning and culture that were inspired by Italian poets and scholars. Literature favored individual expression with the consequence that the individual’s task was to five that world new meaning. The central theme of Elizabethan literature was the clash between the individual and social order. Drama in Renaissance focused on man, his weaknesses and qualities. Literature reflected the new vitality of the language.

This was the golden age of drama which started with a group of playwrights called the “university wits” in which there were Shakespeare (1564-161) , his variety and depth was without precedents, he drew from all kind of sources, showed a deep knowledge of the human heart and portrayed life without imposing his personal perspective.

Poetry was more personal and private literature. The metaphysical poets were very innovative and talked of religion and love in a language that could be violent, direct and intellectually complex. Through their conceits, metaphors and paradoxes they examined the relationship between the individual, God and the universe.

This was the age of questions: a world which destroyed the old certainties, which had grown geographically larger with the trip to the New World. Change brings uncertainty and restlessness, but also vitality and creative tension. The ideal harmony of mind and body.