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    The Reformation began in Germany in the 16th century in response to corruption in the Catholic Church and spread throughout Europe. It led to the rise of Protestantism and dissatisfaction with Catholic beliefs and the Pope's unlimited power. Martin Luther led the movement and translated the Bible into German, sparking reforms. In England, the Reformation saw the English Church break from Rome under King Henry VIII and establish the King as its head, dispersing monks and priests and allowing freedom of religion. The Reformation had a notable impact on 16th century English literature, with writers like Spenser, Milton, and Bacon expressing reformation ideas and themes in their works.

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    It tells us the effect of reformation movement on English literature.

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    The Reformation began in Germany in the 16th century in response to corruption in the Catholic Church and spread throughout Europe. It led to the rise of Protestantism and dissatisfaction with Catholic beliefs and the Pope's unlimited power. Martin Luther led the movement and translated the Bible into German, sparking reforms. In England, the Reformation saw the English Church break from Rome under King Henry VIII and establish the King as its head, dispersing monks and priests and allowing freedom of religion. The Reformation had a notable impact on 16th century English literature, with writers like Spenser, Milton, and Bacon expressing reformation ideas and themes in their works.

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    5K views4 pages

    The Impact of Reformation in English Literature

    Uploaded by

    Muhammad Ammad ul Fahad Iqbal
    The Reformation began in Germany in the 16th century in response to corruption in the Catholic Church and spread throughout Europe. It led to the rise of Protestantism and dissatisfaction with Catholic beliefs and the Pope's unlimited power. Martin Luther led the movement and translated the Bible into German, sparking reforms. In England, the Reformation saw the English Church break from Rome under King Henry VIII and establish the King as its head, dispersing monks and priests and allowing freedom of religion. The Reformation had a notable impact on 16th century English literature, with writers like Spenser, Milton, and Bacon expressing reformation ideas and themes in their works.

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    of 4

    1

    The Impact of Reformation on English


    Literature

     Introduction

    The Reformation which began in Germany but spread quickly throughout Europe was
    initiated in response to the growing sense of corruption and administrative abuse in the
    Church. It spread to the creation and rise of the Protestantism. This contributed to the rise of
    the Reformation in the 16th century. The Reformation movement was the result of the
    dissatisfaction with the beliefs of the Catholic Church.

    The domination of Church was increasing day by day in sphere of life. The power of the
    Pope and priest had increased considerably. The Pope enjoyed his unlimited powers. Pope and
    the priest indulged in immoral activities and exerted money from the people. The hold of the
    Church over political institution was becoming unbearable. The movement started by people to
    evaluate the teaching of the Church came to be known as Reformation.

     Meaning of The Reformation

    Reformation means the movement for bringing about reforms in the Christian Church.
    From the historical point of view, Reformation is a very important revolution which led to the
    establishment of religions. The Reformation was a great 16th century religious revolution in the
    Christian Church which had political, social and literary effects.

     Cause of The Reformation


    2

    Dissatisfaction with the Catholic Church; Henry VIII’s desire to obtain a divorce and
    Catholic Church’s refusal to grant him; the political ambitions of the members of Henry’s court
    – are the several factors which contribute in the rise of the Reformation.

    One of the key policies of the Reformation was the dissolution of the monasteries from 1536 to
    1540, supposedly to put an end to the corruption of the religious establishment.

     Martin Luther: The Leader

    American novelist Lydia M. Child said –

    A Reformer is the one who sets forth cheerfully toward the


    sure defeat.

    Though rooted in a broad dissatisfaction with the Church, the birth of the Reformation
    can be traced to the protest of one man, the German monk Martin Luther. Martin Luther
    created a shock wave throughout Europe. He entered the Church as a priest and exposed the
    weakness of it. He translated the Bible into the German language. He placed his ideology before
    the public in the form with 95 points on 31st October 1517 AD. So, the Pope dismisses him from
    the Church. In response to this, Martin put a new ideology which later came to be known as
    Protestantism. Thus, the Protestant Church was born and Christians were divided into two main
    sects – the Catholics and the Protestants.

    A number of prominent leaders, priest and Christian scholars had joined in this
    movement for the religious reforms. This movement greatly influenced the religious, economic,
    social, political, cultural and literary aspects of the people of Europe. The movement of
    Reformation brought an end to the supremacy of Roman Catholic Church.

     Reformation in England
    3

    The Reformation in England was once a political, religious and social event. The English
    Reformation was a series of the events in 16th century England by which the Church of England
    broke away from the authority of the Pope and the Roman Catholic Church. It associated with
    the wider process of the European Protestant Reformation.

    The Reformation saw the breaking away of the English Church from the Greek in Rome
    and the emergence of King Henry VIII as its supreme head. During the reign of Henry people
    revolted against the Church. After the revolt, the supremacy of Cardinal Nolsy ended in
    England. Thereafter, National Church was established. The king was made supreme governing
    authority of the Church. The king dispersed the monks and priests from the Church. The action
    was welcomed by the people and the parliament. The National Church continued to exist in the
    reign of Edward VI and Queen Elizabeth I. Therefore, people were now free to practice religion
    according to their wishes.

     Impact of Reformation on Literature

    The Reformation was a great 16th century religious revolution in the Christian Church
    which had a notable literary effect. The Impact of Reformation was deeply felt in the literature
    of the 16th century. Sidney, Spenser and Bacon were the great supporters of the Reformation.
    Chaucer was the first great poet who discarded the Clergyman and exposed their evil deeds in
    his Canterbury Tales. Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus reveals true Reformation spirit. Milton
    combines the spirit of Reformation and Renaissance in his Paradise Lost. Bacon expressed
    Reformation in his prose.

    All the forms of literature were grown during this age of Reformation. Drama attained
    better heights during this period. Other forms of literature like Songs, Sonnets, Poetry, Lyric
    poetry and etc were written during the Reformation. And therefore, England known as The
    Nest of Singing Birds.

     Conclusion
    4

    The 16th century holds an important place in the history of England. There were two
    revolutions during this period that has changed the face of European History – The Renaissance
    and The Reformation which prepared the background for the emergence of the Modern
    Europe. Reformation ended with the separation of many European nations from the Church of
    Rome and became the basis for the founding of Protestantism. Yet George Gillespie remarks –

    Reformation ends not in Contemplation, but in action.

    In short, Reformation was the start of intellectual progress. It awoke sleeping man and filled the
    minds with pure Christianity. It abolished the corruption of the Clerics. And also, the political
    powers were given to the House of Commons.

    Study English Literature Online FREE at: hlg7.weebly.com

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