Reformation Movement, Reformation in English Literature

The movement of Reformation was an important event in the history of Europe. It was a religious movement to bring reforms in Church and Christianity but it exercised deep influence on English literature too. This movement was actually started by Martin Luther in 1517 when he started protesting against the corruption and evil practices of the Roman Catholic Church. This movement by Martin Luther aimed at creating a new religion that could be based upon the old scriptures. The primary aim of this movement was to eradicate the evils from the church.

Steps of Reformation:

1.   In France, Martin Luther openly protested against the orthodox rites, rituals, doctrines and practices of the Catholic Church in his times. This protest was further supported by many thinkers in Germany and then in England.

2.   Henry VIII, the king of England declared himself as the head of Church of England. He challenged the Pope’s authority. Hence, there was a shift of power from the Church to the king.

3.   The Bible which was available in Latin only was now translated into English. As a result, English Bibles were kept in the churches. Hence, Latin lost its importance.

4.   Queen Elizabeth who came on the throne of England in 1558 also supported this movement of reformation.

It was during the reign of King Henry VIII (1509-1547) that this reformation was turned into a political and a social event. The King was now considered the head of the church and the king took all powers from the Pops and other religious authorities. The king along with other social workers reformed the whole concept of religion and it was called a new religion which people started following. As a result, influence of this movement was felt over a wide area in England as well as in other parts of the continent. It influenced literature too.

Influence of Reformation on English Literature:

The English Reformation movement was a popular movement which colored the life and thoughts and literary works of Edmund Spenser, John Milton and John Bunyan during the 16^th and 17^th centuries.

Edmund Spenser:

Spenser was a child of Renaissance but the movement of Reformation too influenced his works to a great extent. In most of his works, Spenser spreads moral, religious messages among his readers. Milton rightly calls him as “our sage and serious poet.” Spenser wrote his epic poem ‘The Fairie Queene’ with a serious aim of preaching. The forst book of ‘The Fairie Queene’ is a srong defence of the Church of England against the Roman Catholic orthodox religion. It spreads the message of reformation of the church among the people.

John Milton:

Like Spenser, John Milton too composed his literary works under the influence of Reformation and Renaissance. His poetry gives complete expression to spiritual enthusiasm of Reformation. His epic poem ‘Paradise Lost’ is a nice example of his influence of Reformation where he uses his art and learning in the service of religion and moral virtues. The theme of this poem is based on the Bible and it brings moral awareness among the Christians of the time.

John Bunyan:

Bunyan’s greatest prose literary work ‘Pilgrim’s Progress’ tells us about the journey of a Christian soul from this world to the Paradise. It teaches religious and moral values in simple prose. Written with great zeal of Reformation, his ‘Pilgrim’s Progress’ expresses his puritan ideals. This work of art is so popular in today’s times that it has been translated in more than 108 languages and is considered as the second Holy Book after the Bible by the Christian around the world.

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