Renaissance Literature - An Anthology of Poetry and Prose 2e

This extensively revised anthology makes available the most important poetry and prose from the period between the accession of Henry VIII in 1509 and the English Revolution of 1640. Responding to the broadening of the canon in recent years, it balances the work of familiar Renaissance figures with important texts by women writers, supported by helpful introductions and annotations.§A new edition of this popular anthology, which includes many writings from women and from lesser-known writers, alongside established Renaissance figures§Includes work by prominent writers of the period, such as such as Spenser, Shakespeare, and Donne, alongside important texts by women, including Queen Elizabeth I, Lady Mary Wroth, and Elizabeth Cary§Brings together a variety of key works of the period, along with introductions and annotations to the texts, reflecting developments in critical and cultural theory and the latest Renaissance scholarship§Extensively revised, corrected, and expanded to increase the level of annotation, and to make the volume more user-friendly§Now includes a thematic table of contents and timeline, and a substantially expanded introduction to enable students to consider entries more easily in the social, cultural, and historical context of the periodResponding to the broadening of the canon in recent years, this accessible anthology makes available the most important poetry and prose from the period between the accession of Henry VIII in 1509 and the English Revolution of 1640. Arranged chronologically, generous selections from familiar Renaissance figures, such as More, Wyatt, Tyndale, Spenser, Sidney, Shakespeare, Bacon, and Donne, are complemented by a strong emphasis on women writers, including Queen Elizabeth, Aemilia Lanyer, Rachel Speght, Martha Moulsworth, Lady Mary Wroth, and Elizabeth Cary. A range of prose works, including biblical translations, illustrates the development of English prose over the period. The volume also offers a selection of carols, ballads, songs, and hymns.§Now available in a fully revised new edition, this anthology has been extensively corrected and expanded to increase the level of annotation, and to make the volume more user-friendly. This edition features a brand new introduction and timeline enabling students to consider entries more easily in the social, cultural and historical context of the period.