puritanism the birth and development of a new religious movement
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PURITANISMPURITANISMThe birth and development of a new religious movement
ORIGINS AND DEVELOPMENT
Puritanism is a protestant movement within Church of England,which developed during XVI-XVII century.It was founded by some Marian after the accession of Elisabeth I,especially influenced by Calvinism
The movement was created against corruption of Catholic Church, especially its «superstitious symbles» as statues,stained-glass windows and sacerdotal vestment
It developed especially amoung the Middle Class and people anti-royalists
The moment of their utmost supremacy was when Puritans came to power (1642) as a result of the English Civil War
PURITANS AFTER THE CIVIL WAR After the won of the Civil
War (in 1642) by round-heads (anti-royalists), puritanism became a powerful force
Oliver Cromwell,a puritan, founded the Commonwealth (name based on the idea of puritanism, which believed in common richness) bringing moral and religious changes in England Oliver Cromwell
After Cromwell’s death (in1958) the monarchy was restored and Puritans lose their power
the period of Great Persecution of Puritans began and most of them took refuge in New England (USA)
The «Mayflower», ship used by Puritans to escape persecutions
MOVEMENT’S THOUGHTS The main aim was to purify the
church,especially morally
Desire to reach salvation
Consideration of the Bible as God’s true law
Belief in the Parable of the Talents
Puritans predicted austerity and they were against every kind of entertainment (reason why each theater was closed in 1642), because it was considered immoral
The Bible
PARABLE OF THE TALENTS
The Parable of Talents is one of the well known parables of Jesus
The main points are:
God gives talents to peopleEverybody has to bear themWho is not able to bear talents will commit a sin as poor people, who cannot exploit themWho is able to produce goods and wealth will advance in his/her social condition and he/she will reach God’s benediction (reason why the Middle Class was mainly Puritan)
JOHN MILTON (1608-1674)
The most famous puritan poet and the best known poet only after Shakespeare of English literature
Supporter of freedom and republicanism
He wrote poetry in Latin, Italian and English (he had a Classic education)
His most important works are Areopagitica and Paradise Lost
John Milton
PARADISE LOST (1667) Epic poem in blank verse with
Biblical references (e.g. Adam and Eve)
It was about fall of man,because of his desire to have knowledge
The main character is an hero, Satan, who disobeyed the God, because he wanted to be more powerful than him
The real aim is to celebrate God by making references to deeds of the hero (as each epic poem)
PURITANISM TODAY
As the result of persecution,Puritans left England and they extablished especially in the New World (USA)
Puritanism,based on increase of wealth, layed the foundations of consumerism in Usa, here’s why America became one of the most important world power.