Let's Change Gears... Stuarts and To Penshurst

Stuarts Reign: This was not what Henry envisioned it to be....

Tudor dynasty ended in England in 1603. Henry VIII vision of long lasting royal bloodline has ended with his daughter Elizabeth who did not produce a heir to the throne of England. England has transformed during Elizabeth's reign. England now was the king of the seas and defender of the protestant faith. When James VI of Scotland, took the English Crown to be come James I, his son would eventually ruin England and lead them to a civil war in 1649.
James I reign was marked, with the creation of the King James Bible and the exploitations of the Americas and the establishment of Jamestown, Virginia.

James assumed the role as authoritative ruler, who had control of the government. James hated dealing Parliament and refused to call it into session many time during his reign. James kept England out of foreign conflicts in Europe and maintain peaceful terms with Spain. He also had to deal with continuing problem of religious conflict in England, between the Catholics and Protestants. The Gunpowder Plot was planned by devoted Catholic's aimed at bombing Parliament building while the nobles and the King were present. The plan was foiled in time and the Plotters were made examples to the public.

Charles I didn't fair too well either in the English system. Many of the people were upset at some to the policies and decisions he made. The people were fed along with Parliament. They decided to spark a civil war for regime change. In the end, Charles was arrested and executed ending the monarchy for the first time in English history and setting up Oliver Cromwell Parliamentary government, which proved to be no better than the monarchy. So Cromwell was overthrown and the monarchy was restored, Charles II took over as King of England.

To Penshurst:
Ben Jonson describes in great detail about this house and it's surroundings. This house is ideally what you would want a King to visit. Jonson goes on to how the garden is perfect and has lavish fruit growing ready to be picked. The animals in the yard and pond represent an ideal manor of the court. Jonson poem brings out a lot imagery to describe this manor of Penshurst.

Twelfth Night Acts 2-3

ACT 2:

Act 2 begins with Antonio and Sebastian, (Viola twin brother) Sebastian has recently survived a shipwreck at sea and is in a dire search to find out the whereabouts of his sister. He fears that she may have perished in the shipwreck. Antonio saved Sebastian from the shipwreck and vows to help him search for his missing sister, begin to travel to the Duke's residence.

Olivia shows no affection towards the Duke, Orsino. She begins to develop affection towards Cesario(Viola). Viola was given the ring by Malvolio, which belonged to Olivia. Viola has now realized that Olivia is coming on to Cesario. She has made things very complicated at the court. She may be in way over her head now, but she continues on to pose as Cesario.

Also later on in Act 2 we see, the beginning of the downfall of Malvolio's character. Sir Toby, Sir Andrew and Feste are being rather noisy and are enjoying a late night drink. Maria comes in telling the men to be quiet, because Olivia is trying to sleep. Malvolio steps in trying to get the men to be quiet, instead makes Maria upset and decides to play a cruel prank on him. She writes a letter in Olivia's hand writing, professing her love to him. The three catch wind of Maria's plan. Malvolio receives the letter, which he must wear yellow stockings to show his love for Olivia. Malvolio is now madly in love with Olivia, he is totally unaware of the setup that he is in for.

Viola now has to decide whether she is in over head and decide to end this charade. She has a talk with Orsino where she position to reveal her identity, but backs down.

ACT 3:
We see the continuing saga between Cesario and Olivia. Viola tries to distant herself from Olivia when she says: (Viola)
By innocence I swear, and by my youth,
I have one heart, one bosom, and one truth,
And that no women has, nor never none
Shall mistress be of it save I alone.
And so adieu, good madam. Never more
Will I my master;s tears to you deplore.(1112)
Viola feels bad for Olivia's predicament, She isn't sure how shes going to come clean from this ordeal now. Olivia is still determined to win Cesario's heart no matter what.

Sir Andrew urged on by Sir Toby and Fabian to challenge Cesario to a duel in order for him to win the affection of Olivia. Now everyone seems on trying to win Olivia affection...
Now Antonio and Sebastian reach the city, Antonio is very paranoid, because he has enemies in the city. Antonio gives Sebastian his purse, and he heads into a inn.

Now, Malvolio is commencing his downfall when appears before Lady Olivia in yellow stockings and begins to profess his love for her. Olivia says she did not write a letter to him and has been told a lie. Malvolio is devastated by the current situation.

Viola is now forced into the challenged duel by Sir Andrew, Antonio is walking and notices Viola(Cesario) thinking that it is Sebastian, wants to fight in his behalf. Before the fighting could begin, Antonio is arrested and cries toward Viola to give him his purse thinking that its Sebastian. Viola is confused by this and refuses Antonio request as hes being dragged away. Antonio is shocked and now feels betrayed by Sebastian.

It's already leading towards a chaotic ending. The ending will effect many of the characters.

William Shakespeare and Twelfth Night... Act 1 Sence Action!

William Shakespeare is probably the most recognized figure in the English Renaissance. Shakespeare was born around 1564 in Stratford-on-Avon. Today, historians are still unsure of William's early childhood and how he manged to develop some of the most important Renaissance pieces the world his seen. William Shakespeare is remembered by moving sonnets and entertaining playwrights, especially his tragedies. Shakespeare's influence today is remarkable, In just about every English class I've been we've atleast read a piece from Shakespeare.

Act 1. Twelfth Night

Setting of the play takes us to place called Illyria. Duke Orsino enjoying himself at a party, but is seeking the affection of Lady Olivia. This conversation between Orsino and Curio (Orsino attendant) describing his love and pursuit of the Olivia, I thought was great.
Curio: Will you go hunt, my lord?
Orsino: What, Curio?
Curio: The hart.
Orsino: Why so I do, the noblest that I have.
O, when mine eyes did see Olivia first
Methought she purged the air of pestilence;
That instant was I turned into a hart,
And my desires, like fell and cruel hounds,
E'er since pursue me. (1080, 16-22)

Also this part does make a reference to Sir Thomas Wyatt's sonnet, Whoso list to hunt. Which to me seems to be a very influential piece to the later English Renaissance authors.
Were introduced, Viola who lost her brother to a shipwreck, but sense he may have survived. She is would like to serve with Olivia(she lost her brother too), but it cannot happen and the sea captain decides to help her make this happen with a disguise as a male servant to the duke.

Research Topic.... A Continuation

I would like to continue my research on the renaissance monarchs and why they are called the "Renaissance" or "new" monarchs. I'm about finished reading The Courtier, I think this will help me focus on how the royal courts my have functioned at the time of the Renaissance. In my research, I've found how these monarchs conducted government, waged wars, create policies, and how they have contributed to the Renaissance (through art, architecture, and literature). These "Renaissance" monarchs were very powerful, so their governments were very centralized and bureaucratic. How are these courts in relation in The Courtier maybe relate to the "Renaissance" Monarchs. I'll welcome any thoughts on the subject. Was this what you were looking for?

PS: Prof. Kilgore, did you receive my emails of my evaluation? I'm not sure if I was supposed to see a response from you via email. Just a little concerned thats all. Getting ready for the flight back from Minnesota.

List of sources:
1. Richardson, Glenn. Renaissance Monarchy. Oxford : Oxford University Press, 2002
--This book helped me understand, the personalities of each of the "Renaissance" monarchs. Also on how they shaped up each of their realms in Europe.
2. Guy, John. The Tudor Monarchy. New York : St. Martin's Press, 1997
--The book focused on the Tudor dynasty and it's policies and changes of their realm in England.
Articles:
1. Royal Historical Society: Presidential Address, Tudor Government: The Points of Contact. III. The Court, By G.R. Elton, 1976. (JSTOR Article)
--Background info on Tudor government and the Royal Court.
2. Folger Shakespeare Library: Searching for "Culture" in the English Renaissance, By David Harris Sacks, Shakespeare Quarterly, 1988. (JSTOR Article)
--Court Culture vs. English society...

Faerie Queene 1-4.... Sins

The more you read into Faerie Queene the more you can connect the pieces with the current state England is in. In the first four cantos we see imagery of the Catholic church being portrait as evil and corrupted. Also towards the end of the 4th cantos we get a good representation of the seven deadly sins. Heres the list of representations of the sins in the Faerie Queene.
1. Peacock = Pride
2. Idleness= Sloth
3. Crane = Gluttony
4. Goat = Lust
5. Camel = Greed
6. Envy = Wolf
7. Lion = Wrath
This book provides a lot of religious imagery. This epic is filled with side episodes, which I find difficult to connect. Like for instance, We go from slaying a half breed monster, to meeting Archimago and giving a false dream.

Early English Nationalism, but with a twist of fantasy...

The Renaissance brought back the revival of learning in a classical since. Also the Renaissance put the Catholic Church on the spot and exposed the institution that had been around since the early medieval time. Many Renaissance thinker's question the institution and it's practices. People like Luther and Erasmus pointed how corrupt these practices were for the Church, like the selling of indulgences, to buy you way into heaven and all your sins would be forgiven. This brought about a Reformation that effected central Europe and England (happened later in 1500's). Edmund Spencer isn't different from Erasmus from criticizing the Catholic Church. In Spencer's book, The Faerie Queene, he uses imagery of Error spewing books and papers, these books and papers were produced by the Catholics aiming at Queen Elizabeth's stance of Religious practices. Also another good source of imagery is the knight Redcrosse, you end up thinking about a red cross on the flag that symbolizes England.

Ralegh and The Book of Common Prayer...

Sir Walter Ralegh was important person in history. Also many questions raise up about whether or not Ralegh and Queen Elizabeth were romantically linked. Ralegh was rose up in the ranks through government through the court. Many might not know, that Ralegh was in charge of setting up the first colonization attempt in North America. Ralegh dislikes the Spanish and feels that their navies pose a potential threat to England's expansion and the monarchy. Like most of the historical figures of this time period were involved in the arts of the Renaissance, Ralegh was a successful poet to. Ralegh wrote a poem called "The Nymph's Reply to the Shepard" in response to Christopher Marlowe "The Passionate Shepherd" was a criticism. When English throne went to the Stuarts of Scotland, Ralegh was thrown in jail by James I with charges of treason, eventually Ralegh was executed.

The Book of Common Prayer was product of the early English Reformation, brought up by Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Cranmer. Looking at the actual text was amazing and hard to understand. This important document set the stages for binding Matrimony and Communion. I know both these order are especially important in today's standards among protestants. With these Order's, it helped strengthen the church institutions in England and built a strong support in the English Reformation.