About This Chapter
PLACE English: Renaissance Literature - Chapter Summary
Although many different types of literature came out during the Renaissance, some of the most remembered pieces were plays, and questions about these plays and other works are certain to be on your PLACE English test. Refamiliarize yourself with the playwrights and poets of this age by going through each of these video lessons. At the end of this chapter, you should possess a more thorough understanding of the following:
- Major Renaissance works and authors
- Shakespeare's life and major works
- Analysis of Richard III, Romeo and Juliet, Julius Caesar, Othello, and The Tempest
- Interpreting Shakespearean sonnets
- Biography and writings by Ben Jonson and Christopher Marlowe
- Edmund Spenser's sonnets and The Faerie Queene
Watch these videos to discover each of the major authors' biographies and analyze the transcripts as you start memorizing which works were produced by which writers. As you get ready for the PLACE English test, some of your study sessions may be scheduled far apart. That's why we programmed our dashboard to keep your place, as it points out which videos you viewed recently. Plus, with our mobile friendly platform, you can study at any Wi-Fi location.
PLACE English: Renaissance Literature Chapter Objectives
Colorado uses the PLACE English test to verify if English teacher applicants possess the knowledge to earn a subject-specific certification. The structure of the test includes multiple-choice questions across five key sections. Out of all five sections, the literature section is the largest, since it requires individuals not only to understand terminology and critical analysis, but this section also asks about all of the major literary movements that have occurred since and even before the Middle Ages. Therefore, you will need a broad understanding of literature fresh in your mind come test day. This chapter can get you set up for understanding Renaissance literature, including major genre themes, political and social factors, and the names of the most noted authors along with their works.
1. Introduction to Renaissance Literature: Characterizing Authors and Works
Chances are, you've heard of the term 'Renaissance' before, but do you know what it means? Watch this video to learn about how this artistic movement forever altered England and the way we look at literature.
2. Introduction to Shakespeare: Life and Works
This video provides a crash course introduction to William Shakespeare's life, plays, and poetry. From 'Two Gentlemen of Verona' to 'The Tempest', we'll give you a timeline of his works and quick descriptions of what you need to know to identify them.
3. Richard III: Fact and Fiction in Shakespeare's History Plays
We'll tease apart the real and the invented in Shakespeare's Richard III and discuss Shakespeare's particular brand of historical fiction. We'll also go over the plot and characters, as well as some famous quotes from the work.
4. Romeo and Juliet: Shakespeare's Famous Star-Crossed Lovers
Great tragedies resonate throughout time. In this lesson, we'll go over the role of fate in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. We'll explore the story of his star-crossed lovers and explain some of his most famous quotes.
5. Julius Caesar: Shakespeare's Play vs. History
In this lesson, we'll examine Shakespeare's take on the life of Julius Caesar, which spawned such famous quotes as 'Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears!' and 'Et tu, Brute!' We'll also take a look at Brutus and Cassius, the conspirators who plotted Caesar's demise, as well as Mark Antony and Octavius, who remained loyal.
6. Othello: Racism and Shakespeare
In this video, we'll give an overview of the plot of Shakespeare's 'Othello.' We'll discuss the motivations of his wicked ensign, Iago, and address the racial issues brought to light by Shakespeare's writing.
7. The Tempest: Colonialism and Magic in Shakespeare
In Shakespeare's 'The Tempest,' a group of Italian nobility is shipwrecked on the island of Prospero, an exiled magician. In this lesson you'll learn how Prospero seeks to regain his right to the title Duke of Milan.
8. Shakespeare's Sonnets: Reading and Interpreting the Major Poems
In this video we'll learn about Shakespeare's sonnets, which contain some of his most famous poetry. Shakespeare addresses both a Fair Youth, speculated to be a young earl and patron, and a Dark Lady, whom he describes in frank and unromantic terms. We'll discuss the meter and rhyme scheme of the typical Shakespearean sonnet, as well as the structure of the overall work.
9. Introduction to Christopher Marlowe: Biography and Plays
English playwright Christopher Marlowe was a contemporary of Shakespeare with a short but potent body of work to his name. Learn all about his plays - and his fascinating character - from our video lesson!
10. Introduction to Edmund Spenser: The Faerie Queene and Sonnets
Edmund Spenser is one of the key figures in the English Renaissance, and he made his name mostly by writing about dragons and knights. Pretty cool, right? Watch this video to learn about this important author and his biggest work, The Faerie Queene.
11. Introduction to Ben Jonson: Poems, Plays and Shakespeare
To a great deal of people, for a great deal of time, English playwright and poet Ben Jonson was known merely as a rival (and inferior) to William Shakespeare. But there's more to the story than that! Watch our video lesson to get the skinny on Jonson's life and work.
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Other chapters within the PLACE English: Practice & Study Guide course
- PLACE English: Determining the Meaning of Words
- PLACE English: Elements & Language in Literature
- PLACE English: Literary Terms & Analysis
- PLACE English: Types & Features of Texts
- PLACE English: Literary Genres & Forms
- PLACE English: Instructional Reading Strategies
- PLACE English: Making Connections While Reading
- PLACE English: Context in Literary Works
- PLACE English: Medieval & Middle English Literature
- PLACE English: 17th & 18th Century English Literature
- PLACE English: Romantic Prose in English Literature
- PLACE English: Romantic Poetry
- PLACE English: Victorian Era Literature
- PLACE English: Ancient & Modern World Literature
- PLACE English: Native & Colonial American Literature
- PLACE English: Romantic American Literature
- PLACE English: Dark Romanticism in American Literature
- PLACE English: Transcendentalism in American Literature
- PLACE English: Realism in American Literature
- PLACE English: Modern American Authors
- PLACE English: Harlem Renaissance Writers
- PLACE English: Contemporary American Literature
- PLACE English: Young Adult Literary Works & Authors
- PLACE English: Form & Structure in Writing
- PLACE English: The Writing Process
- PLACE English: Writing Mechanics
- PLACE English: Source Citations & References
- PLACE English: Print & Media Sources of Information
- PLACE English: Communication Strategies
- PLACE English: Effective Communication & Types of Speech
- PLACE English: Visual Communication
- PLACE English: Communicating with Technology
- PLACE English: Evaluating Media
- Strategies for Teaching Writing & Vocabulary
- Strategies for Teaching Literature & Poetry Analysis
- General Teaching Strategies
- PLACE English Flashcards