Leo Ameika

7/27/18
Module 4 Assessment - Persuasive Essay

Lasting from the 14th to the 17th century, the Renaissance Period was defined by a
revival of Ancient Roman and Greek philosophy and literature. Renaissance society saw myriad
changes inspired by this revival, with new inventions like the printing press and new artistic
styles such as the use of perspective in paintings. One of the most lasting changes, however,
can be seen in Renaissance literature; playwrights and poets explored the new topics of
adventure, tragedy, and brotherhood. Overall, the defining theme of Renaissance literature is
power, as influenced by humanism and as evidenced by the works of William Shakespeare and
Christopher Marlowe.
Primarily, it is evident that the theme of power was central to Renaissance literature
because of the influence of humanism - the practice of directing one’s focus to worldly affairs
rather than divine ones and reveling in the autonomy of man. Just as the Romantic Period was
defined by an exploration of emotions and love, so was the Renaissance Period by an
exploration of the balance of power amongst men, between man and God, and even within man
himself.
The works of Shakespeare serve as quintessential examples of this Renaissance-era
investigation into the concept of power. His ​Macbeth​, for example, sees the titular character
attempting to practice self-determination in the face of supernatural prophecies. The play
engenders bewildering questions in its audience, each of which relates to power: can man
determine his own destiny? Or is he helpless in the hands of Fate? Macbeth is even seen
battling with his own ambitions and grappling with the power of temptation. In tragedies like the
Scottish play, a hero’s hamartia leads to his ultimate downfall; this is a testament to just how
powerful greed, pride, or anger can be.
Another literary classic that examines power as a theme is Christopher Marlowe’s ​Doctor
Faustus. F​ austus, in a bid to test his power against God’s, sells his soul to the devil. This is an
example of the challenging of religious authority that was a crux of the Renaissance. And a
prominent component of Protestant theology during the Reformation - a period of time when the
Catholic Church was questioned and breakaway religions were established - was one’s
personal relationship with God (Herbert). The Protestant Reformation was thus a movement to
regain power over one’s religious beliefs and practices, a movement that left its mark on
European literature with the recurring theme of power.
While some may argue that the literature of the Renaissance Period dealt more with love
or friendship, power is an all-encompassing theme. For example, ​Macbeth​ deals not only with
the power of man, but the power of love (seen when Lady Macbeth coerces her husband into
murdering King Duncan) and the power of friendship (seen when the other thanes of Scotland
unite to overthrow Macbeth). Overall, the theme of power is concomitant with the Renaissance,
as demonstrated by the movement of humanism and by the works of Shakespeare and
Marlowe. In fact, the balance of power has persisted as a theme ever since, posing questions
that we still don’t have definitive answers to and inspiring debates that may never end.
Leo Ameika
7/27/18
Module 4 Assessment - Persuasive Essay

Works Cited

Dr. J. R. Herbert, "What are the characteristics of English literature during the
renaissance?" ​eNotes,​ 14 Dec. 2014,
https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/what-characteristics-english-literature-during-284086.
Accessed 26 July 2018.

Shakespeare, William, et al. ​Macbeth​. BiblioLife, 2009.