The Later Renaissance

This survey of later Renaissance literature focuses on the period's continental currents with concentrated attention on the Iberian Peninsula, tracing how fifteenth-century inheritances and Italian influence shaped a learned, often imitative Spanish poetry and a vigorous national drama. It charts the rise and techniques of the classic school, discusses prominent poets and epic experiments, and treats Portuguese output as largely derivative. It analyzes the growth, forms, and themes of the Spanish stage from religious beginnings to secular comedies and plays of honour, noting dominant figures and stylistic movements. It also remarks on the comparatively limited literary activity in Germany and the nascent work in Dutch and Scandinavian regions.