Renaissance and Early 17th Century - Assignment Example

There were six Tudors who ruled over England. They are Henry VII- the first ruler, Henry VIII-the second ruler, Edward VI-the third ruler, Jane-the fourth ruler, Mary-the fifth ruler, and Elizabeth I-the sixth ruler. Henry VII (1457 –1509), the ruler of England, was the first monarch of the Tudor empire. Henry VIII (1491 –1547), the second Tudor king of England, was the son of Henry VII. Edward VI (1537 –1553), the third Tudor ruler of England and was a Protestant by faith. Jane (1536/1537 –1554), the Tudor Queen’s reign was the shortest era in the history of the Tudor dynasty in England.

In her later life, Jane became a strong supporter of Protestantism. Mary I (1516 –1558) restored England to Roman Catholicism and was a strong supporter of the English Church. Elizabeth I (1533 –1603) was the Queen of England until she passed away in 1603. Moreover, she was the last ruler of the Tudor Empire. Besides, her personal religious belief is ambiguous. The Tudor Rose is the traditional emblem of England, originated from the Tudor Dynasty. Renaissance, the cultural movement that originated in the 14th century deeply influenced the fore coming centuries.

‘Giotto di Bondone’ is considered as the father of the Italian Renaissance. The Renaissance started in the 14th Century and extended to the end of the 17th century. It started in Florence and spread to the other parts of Europe. Art: ‘Creation of Adam’ by Michelangelo. Architecture: The Dome of St Peters Basilica, Rome. Literature: works by Shakespeare.  The Protestant Reformation can be defined as the Christian reform movement which originated in Europe. The major players of this movement were Martin Luther, John Wycliffe, and Johannes Hus.

Martin Luther was the personality who commenced the Protestant Reformation. John Calvin was a French theologian and the originator of Calvinism. The Protestant Reformation came about as an effort to modify the Catholic Church. Pope Leo X was the Pope at the time of the Protestant Reformation. William Shakespeare, the world-renowned playwright was born in 1564 at Stratford-upon-Avon and passed away in 1616. M. C. Bradbrook opines that: “the situation at the heart of England.” (Bradbrook 4) Warwickshire, the birthplace of William Shakespeare is considered as the heart of England and more important than other places.

Shakespeare wrote 38 plays in number. The authorship debate on the works of Shakespeare includes the discussion on the authorship of the works. Some people believe that some of the works by Shakespeare are written by other writers. The work “To the Memory of My Beloved Master", a tribute to Shakespeare, was written by Ben Jonson. The four categories of Shakespearean plays are Histories, Comedies, Tragedies, and Problem plays. The Globe Theatre can be described as a theatre situated in London.

The Globe Theatre: (See appendix-1). This theatre is closely related to William Shakespeare because it was built by his company namely the ‘Lord Chamberlains Men’ in 1599. But it was destroyed by fire in 1613. The Prince is a political article by the world-renowned political theorist Machiavelli. The work deals with the political scenario of the western world. This work is in the form of advice to gain and sustain political power. According to Machiavelli, the rule of force is better than the preservation of law in a nation.

In the work, the author makes clear that one must undergo a number of actions to attain the ultimate power. The idea discussed in the work is less applicable in the modern world because it leads to despotism and complete anarchy.