Literary Latitude

Keywords
Shakespeare, Dramas, Renaissance Period, Course Plan, Poetry, Historical and Social Factors, Human Consciousness, Tradition, Modernity, Renaissance, Victorian Period, Humanism, Religious Conflicts, Greco-Roman Literature, Bible translation, Reformation, Masculine Humanism, Scientific Discoveries, England’s History, Engines, England, English history, Mass, Printing Press, Education, Scientific Evolution, Earth’s Shape, National Identity, Enlightenment, World Wars, Holocaust, Knowledge, Scientific Understanding

Summary

Discussion on Course Plan

– Discussing the course plan for a literature class.
– Will cover poetry from Shakespeare to the Romantic period, and from the Victorian era to the Modern era.

Understanding Poetry
– To understand a poem, it’s important to know the background of the poet and the poem’s composition.
– Literature is often universal and timeless in its appeal.
– Shakespeare’s works, written 400 years ago, remain relevant today.

Understanding Shakespeare’s Dramas

– Shakespeare’s dramas can be understood in the context of the present period.
– Adaptations of Shakespeare’s plays are popular in various forms such as films and theatrical performances.
– To fully comprehend Shakespeare’s intentions, it is essential to study the era in which he lived.

Impact of Historical and Social Factors on Human Consciousness

– Authors focus on present issues, such as political, social, and philosophical changes.
– These changes influence people’s perceptions, thinking, and way of life, both positively and negatively.

Tradition and Modernity

– Tradition and modernity are two opposing forces that exist in every society.
– Tradition is the desire to maintain the status quo, while modernity is the desire for change.
– Modernity is not necessarily contemporary, but can be understood in a historical context.

Understanding the Concept of Modernity

– Modernity is a relative term that can be applied to any time period in relation to the people living in it.
– The Victorian and Renaissance periods were considered modern for the people of these respective eras.
– Critics agree that the early modern period began with the Renaissance.

Renaissance and Humanism

– Dark Ages was a period of corruption and superstition in Christianity.
– Renaissance reformers challenged theological dominance and sought to restore human values through humanism.
– Humanism was inspired by the desire to restore human values and promote learning.

Humanism and its Association with Greek and Roman Literature

– Humanism emphasizes human values over theological ones and promotes the study of Greek and Roman literature.
– During the pre-Christian era, Greek and Roman literature focused on human-centered themes and pagan beliefs.
– Humanists read Greek and Roman literature in their original languages or in translations to gain insights into classical culture and values.

Humanism in Greco-Roman Literature

– In Greco-Roman literature, gods were portrayed as human-like, and humans were treated as equally virtuous.
– Unlike other religions, humans could even kill gods in Greco-Roman mythology.
– This emphasis on human importance and value laid the foundation for humanism in classical literature.

Humanism and its Evolution

– Humanism emerged during the Reformation period, emphasizing human values and connecting to Greek and Roman representations of humans.
– It grew and encountered various issues, including intolerance and Anglicanism.
– The concept of humanism led to reformist ideas and changes in Christian beliefs, particularly addressing corruption.

Religious Conflicts in Europe

– Holy Roman Empire feared rejection of Christian values and sought control.
– Conflict between kings and popes ensued, impacting European monarchies.
– King Henry VIII of England sought to break free from Roman Catholic rule and marry a Protestant girl.

Religious Conflict in England

– King Henry VIII declared the “divine rights of the king” and disconnected from the Holy Roman Empire.
– He claimed that the king was the representative of God on Earth, leading to a separation between religion and state.
– This conflict sparked a shift in perspectives, with people rejecting Catholic values and embracing Protestant, liberal values in England.

Rewriting of English History

– English version of history was rewritten during Queen Elizabeth’s time by Rafael  and Hollinshed.
– Disconnection from the larger continent or empire necessitated the reinvention of history and mythology.
– Chronicles of England, Scotland, and Ireland was written, focusing on English histories and icons.

England’s Rise to Naval Dominance

– England challenged Spain’s dominance by defeating the Spanish Armada in 1588.
– This victory established England as the leading naval power and shifted the balance of power in Europe.
– Queen Elizabeth’s reign marked the beginning of England’s golden age of exploration and colonization.

England’s Unique History and Scientific Advancements

– England’s history differs from Europe due to its focus on establishing its own identity and merchant class.
– England’s history involves political domination, exploitation, colonialism, and a distinct identity.
– Scientific changes during the Renaissance period were becoming more and more scientific in coming centuries.

The History of Bible Translation

– The Bible was originally written in Hebrew and Latin, which were not commonly spoken in England during the 16th century.
– People wanted the Bible to be translated into their own language so they could understand it better.
– Many people sacrificed their lives in order to translate the Bible into English.

The History of Bible Translation and its Impact

– William Tyndale faced persecution for translating the Bible into English, but his efforts led to the protection of Bible translations by King Henry VIII.
– The translation of the Bible played a crucial role in shaping national identity and reimagining the concept of nationhood during the Renaissance.
– This translation marked a significant moment in the exploration of nationalist history and the rewriting of national narratives.

Nationalist Identity and Scientific Discoveries

– Nationalist identity was based on logical grounds, historical facts, and literary and religious principles.
– Later, scientific discoveries challenged religious beliefs and explanations of the world.
– Thinkers and travelers explained this new philosophy and challenged traditional beliefs.

Changing Perception of Earth’s Shape

– People initially believed Earth to be flat.
– Voyagers proved Earth’s roundness by traveling from West to East.
– Theologists discouraged sea travel, leading to the misconception that those who returned were ghosts.

Scientific Evolution and its Impact on the Concept of Hell

– Scientific advancements around 500-600 years ago challenged the idea of hell.
– The knowledge of the world expanded, revealing new continents like America and Australia.
– The concept of hell gradually disappeared from the consciousness of educated individuals.

The Impact of the Printing Press on Literacy

– The invention of the printing press by William Caxton played a crucial role in promoting literacy.
– Before the printing press, literacy rates were low, with only about 10% (unknown source) of the population being educated.
– The printing press made books more accessible and affordable, leading to an increase in the number of educated individuals.

The Impact of the Printing Press on Education

– The invention of the printing press revolutionized book production, making education more accessible and affordable.
– This led to a rapid growth in scholarship, literacy, and scientific knowledge.
– The 17th and 18th centuries saw a flourishing of scientific and philosophical thought.

Enlightenment Period and its Impact on Thought

– Enlightenment period from mid-17th to 18th century emphasized scientific reasoning and empirical knowledge.
– Thinkers like Immanuel Kant, John Locke, William Godwin, and Voltaire contributed to this movement.
– Reasoning and questioning replaced blind acceptance of knowledge, leading to the development of logical reasoning.

Scientific Discoveries and Innovations

– Scientific inquiry and questioning lead to advancements and innovations.
– Examples include the invention of the telescope and the discovery that the Earth revolves around the Sun.
– John Locke contributed to the conceptualization of foundations.

The Role of Mass and Steam Engines in Scientific Discovery

– The universe is composed of mass, as demonstrated in the hypothesis of John Locke.

-By Newton’s theory of gravitation, Earth’s mass attracts objects to its center, causing them to stand on its surface.
– James Watt’s invention of the steam engine revolutionized technology and changed the course of history.

Impact of Engines on Industrial Revolution

– Engines revolutionized industrial establishments in the 18th century.
– They provided speed and power to machines, leading to the establishment of industries.
– The industrial revolution brought about expansion, capitalism, deforestation, and scientific advancements.

Scientific Understanding of Religion, Society and the World

– Scientific understanding of religion, society and the world has a lasting impact.
– Humanism, which began in the Renaissance period, continued and reached its peak in the 19th century.
– High humanism centered everything around man and was more gendered.

The Impact of Masculine Humanism on Society

– Humanism in the 19th century was predominantly masculine, leading to the emergence of feminism.
– This masculine humanism resulted in gender discrimination and the destruction of humanity.
– It promoted egoism, nationalism, and power-hungry tendencies.

World Wars and Technological Advancements

– World War I and II were driven by competition in technology, expansion of empires, and maintaining power in Europe.
– Advancements included deadly explosives, arms, fighter planes, machine guns, and atomic bombs.
– These wars had significant impacts, such as the attack on Pearl Harbor and the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Holocaust and the Limits of Human Understanding

– The Holocaust and the rise of Hitler exemplified the destruction caused by blurred vision and consciousness.
– Postmodernism challenges the Enlightenment idea that humans can understand everything, highlighting the limits of human reasoning and understanding.
– Humans are limited to knowing only what they are aware of and taught, and there are many things we are not aware of.