CLASSICAL INFLUENCES IN EUROPEAN LITERATURE
Classical influences had a significant impact on European literature throughout
history. Greek and Roman literature, in particular, have served as major sources of
inspiration for European writers.
Renaissance
oThe creation of the printing press by Johannes Guttenberg in 1440 allowed
for macht of the literature during this time to be read by a much larger
audience,
oWith the new wave of knowledge, many writers of this time period drew on
classical methods and styles from the ancient greats. These included
Aristotle, Homer, Plato, and Socrates. Some Romans that were modeled
were Cicero, Horace, Sallust, and Virgil.
oPolitics were often an influence on Renaissance literature. Some
oWriters wrote directly about politics, and gave advice to rulers, seen by
Niccolo Machiavelli's famous work, The Prince. Another source of
inspiration was Christianity, which had immense influence during this time.
Important Renaissance Works
1.Miguel de Cervantes, Don Quixote
2.Willi am Shakespeare, Hamlet, Macbeth,
Romeo and Juliet
3.Niccolo Michiavelli, The Prince
4.Giovanni Boccaccio, The Decameron
5.Petrarch, Canzoniere, Trionfi
6.Sir Francis Bacon, New Atlanti s
7.Sir Thomas More, Utopia
8.John Milton, Paradise Lost
9.Chri stopher Marlowe, Doctor Faustus
10.The Prince-NICCOLO MACHINELLI
11.GIOVANNI BOCCACCIO
12.THE DECAMERON MELICTED TALES
13.Second Edition
14.HARVEY C. MANSFIELD
The Enlightenment Period
oThis period in literature is marked by new emphasis on logic and
intellectualism
oWestern put more attention to useful rather than abstract thought, and
pressed desires for improving the conditions of humanity through tolerance,
freedom, and equality.
oWith the reason of reason and logic, many writers began to question the
established churches of the time, and a rise of deism was seen during this
time.
oThe philsophes in France during this time were important to the period and
contributed many new thoughts characteristic of the Enlightenment.
Works of the Enlightenment
Montesquein, Spirit of the Laws
John Locke, An Essay Concerning Human Understanding
