THE RENAISSANCE IN ENGLISH LITERATURE: A REBIRTH OF THOUGHT AND EXPRESSION
Keywords:
Renaissance, English literature, humanism, Shakespeare, Elizabethan age, classical influence, individualism.Abstract
The Renaissance, spanning roughly from the 14th to the 17th centuries, marked a pivotal period in European cultural and intellectual history. In England, this movement profoundly reshaped literature, transforming medieval traditions into a new human-centered worldview. English writers drew inspiration from classical antiquity, individualism, and scientific inquiry, producing works that emphasized human potential and emotional depth. This paper explores the key features of the English Renaissance, the influence of humanism, and the contributions of major literary figures such as William Shakespeare, Christopher Marlowe, Edmund Spenser, and Sir Philip Sidney. The study highlights how Renaissance literature bridged medieval and modern sensibilities, laying the foundation for modern English thought and artistic expression.
