Early modern period (literature)
The Early Modern Period in literature, spanning from the late fourteenth century to the early nineteenth century, marks a significant transitional phase in European cultural history. It began with the decline of feudalism and saw the rise of more democratic governance, along with major scientific advancements, including the invention of the printing press. These societal shifts greatly influenced literary expression, leading to the popularization of the novel, exemplified by Miguel de Cervantes' "Don Quixote," often regarded as the first modern European novel. During this time, the theater flourished, producing renowned playwrights such as William Shakespeare, whose works remain central to English literature. Additionally, the period witnessed the creation of opera, with Jacopo Peri's "Dafne" marking the advent of this new artistic form. The revival of epic poetry was also notable, with significant contributions from poets like John Milton and Alexander Pope. Overall, the Early Modern Period was characterized by a rich interplay of political, cultural, and artistic developments that shaped the trajectory of European literature.
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Early modern period (literature)
The early modern period was a transitional period in both the political and literary landscapes of Europe. It began with the decline of feudalism in the fourteenth century and stretched until the French Revolutionary Wars during the late eighteenth century. During this period, many European powers developed a prominent scientific community and turned from authoritarian monarchies to democratic-style governments. The period also included numerous significant scientific advances, such as the invention of the printing press.
These sweeping political and cultural changes helped to inspire numerous literary developments. One of the most notable, the popularization of the novel, occurred during the early modern period. Miguel de Cervantes published Don Quixote, widely considered the first modern European novel, in 1605 and 1615. The early modern period also included the invention of the opera, the popularization of plays, and a revival of epic poetry.
Background
The early modern period refers to the transitional period between the late Middle Ages and the beginning of the modern era. For this reason, the precise years to which the period refers are a matter of debate between historians. Most historians agree that the early modern period stretches from the late fourteenth century to the early nineteenth century. This encompasses many smaller periods, such as the Enlightenment and the Renaissance.
During the early modern period, Europe experienced a significant shift in culture and governance. The period began as European states started to shift away from feudalism. Feudalism was a strictly authoritarian governmental style in which nobility swore loyalty to a ruling monarch and serfs were required to work on land that they did not own. Throughout much of this period, the various nations of Europe began to grant their people a greater say in the governmental process. They would develop the beginnings of the democratic process that most European states now observe.
The early modern period ended during the Age of Enlightenment, which spanned from the seventeenth century through the eighteenth century. During this period, Europeans shifted away from a faith-centric worldview, instead exploring reason and science as their primary motivators. Additionally, Britain’s colonies in the “New World” of North America banded together to rebel against their colonial leaders in Britain, forming the United States of America. The early modern period also included the French Revolutionary Wars of the late eighteenth century. These wars spread revolutionary ideals throughout Europe. They involved France forcibly overthrowing its traditional monarchy and developing into a more democratic government.
Largely because the early modern period included sweeping political and societal changes, it also included major changes in the art produced by the people of Europe. This transitional period contained many historically significant works of literary and visual art. It also included numerous scientific and technological advances, such as the creation and widespread adoption of the printing press.
Overview
Several major literary advances took place during the early modern period. One of the most notable was the popularization of the novel, now one of the most popular literary formats. A novel is an extended work of narrative fiction composed in prose. Though works that resemble the novel were published during the Middle Ages, most of those works were written in verse as a form of epic poetry. During the thirteenth century, medieval writers began to transition away from epic poetry and began publishing prose works.
The first modern European novel, Don Quixote, was published in 1605 and 1615 by Miguel de Cervantes. It follows a member of the lower nobility as he loses his mind, hallucinating and attempting to revive medieval chivalry in Spain. The novel is now considered a great work of literature and an example of the growing impact of the printing press. Without the printing press, Cervantes would have been unlikely to encounter the numerous works of medieval literature referenced and satirized in Don Quixote, such as the stories of King Arthur and his court.
In addition to the rise of the novel, the early modern period marked a significant increase in the popularity of plays throughout Europe. Many now-famous playwrights, such as Jean Racine and Christopher Marlowe, wrote during the latter half of the early modern period. However, the most notable playwright to contribute to this era was the British writer William Shakespeare. Considered by many to be the greatest writer in the history of the English language, Shakespeare published more than thirty-nine plays during his career. Many of these plays are still performed today. In addition to his work as a playwright, Shakespeare published various narrative poems and 154 sonnets, marking a significant contribution to Europe’s literary tradition.
The first opera, Dafne, was published by Italian composer Jacopo Peri in 1597. Only fragments of this work have survived to modern times. Peri followed Dafne with Euridice in 1600, which became the first complete, surviving opera to be published. Both Dafne and Euridicewere based on ancient Greek and Roman mythology. Unlike traditional theater, operas are typically composed as a collaboration between a composer and a librettist. Instead of using spoken words, all major roles in an opera are performed by singers.
Prior to the introduction of the opera, most musical productions were associated with religious authorities. Churches sponsored the creation of famous artistic works as a means to promote their religion to the common people. However, from its founding, opera was a secular musical and theatrical format. This set opera apart from many of the competing artistic forms of the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries.
The sixteenth and seventeenth centuries also included a notable revival in epic poetry. Several prominent European poets, including John Milton and Alexander Pope, composed historically significant long-form poems. These included Paradise Lost (1667) by Milton and Gerusalemme Liberate (1591) by Torquato Tasso.
Bibliography
“Early Modern History 1500–1700.” University of Oxford, www.history.ox.ac.uk/early-modern-history-1500-1700. Accessed 21 Nov. 2023.
“Early Modern Studies.” Central European University, history.ceu.edu/early-modern-studies/about. Accessed 21 Nov. 2023.
“Early Modern World.” Brown University Center for the Study of the Early Modern World, earlymodernworld.brown.edu/. Accessed 21 Nov. 2023.
Jirincova, Barbora. “The Early Modern Period in Europe: How Did the Middle Ages End?” The Collector, 5 Jul. 2023, www.thecollector.com/early-modern-period. Accessed 21 Nov. 2023.
“William Shakespeare: A Biography.” Fogler Shakespeare Library, www.folger.edu/explore/shakespeares-life/. Accessed 21 Nov. 2023.