Literature-14th Century to Baroque

1304-1374, Italian poet, sonnets, wrote in the vernacular (Italian)

1340-1400, influenced by Italian writers, the Canterbury Tales, narrative frame, focus on detail in descriptions of characters

Documents the plague and its effects on society, Decameron a series of stories that provide entertainment, moral content, glimpses of late medieval life.

Boasted that he had read every book in Italy, synthesis of learning into basic truths, humanity is the pinnacle of God's creation

Pragmatist, the Prince gives instructions on how to get power, morality and its place in politics

Christian humanist, cynical, In Praise of Folly satirizes the Catholic Church and over-intellectualizing

Began the Reformation by publishing criticism of the Church, Enchridion gave instruction for religious teachers

Greatest writer in the English language. Plays show classical influences but also baroque fascination with the supernatural, invented new words, lots of puns and word games, iambic pentameter, written so everyone could understand

French baroque comedy, characters victims of their own vices

Spanish novelist, Don Quixote, satire of medieval tales of chivalry, blend of comedy and tragedy, multiple layers of meaning

Book of the City of Ladies, stories of famous women, patterned after Augustine's City of God

Defense of the Liberal Instruction of Women, 2 letters to male humanists and female critics, very attacking, passionate and thorough

The Courtier, dialogue in the style of Plato, ideals of chivalry, platonic love, handbook for wealthy aristocrats

The Autobiography, 1st person narrative, rambling, egotistical account of his sculpting process

French, wrote "Of Cannibals", a collection of essays in response to the slaughter of Protestants, contrasts holy war with cannibalism

English philosopher during the Baroque period, Leviathan, man is naturally bad, strong government is needed

English philosopher during Baroque period, very rational and ordered writing, man has innate understanding

English poet, generation after Shakespeare, intellectual poetry that draws on a variety of resources, themes mostly focused on death and love

Wrote Paradise Lost, an epic poem in blank verse