In order to explore the aspects of 16th and 17th century English Prose we must first understand that over the course of those two hundred years, an extraordinary amount of social upheaval and reformation took place. Several changes occurred politically, religiously, and socially. In order to follow the path of English prose, I shall illustrate the use of different pieces of literature during these changing times.

Prose, being a written form of language lacking rhyme and/or meter, was certainly not the prevalent form of literature moving into this time period. Keeping in mind that paper and printing had been invented only a century or so before, most writers used forms of verse and poetry. Still, even during the 16th century this remained the case for the most part although some changes were beginning to take place. The time period known as the Renaissance or in England as the Elizabethan period (due to the reign of Queen Elizabeth) was in progress, and the swing to a brighter, more personalized time took place. People began to turn away from seeking their sole purpose through religion and politics, and began to focus more on intellectual stingers such as philosophy, science, art, musi

http://www.wwnorton.com/nael/NTO/17thC/family/hutchins.htm.

'idolatrous' and 'papist' elements while Charles I's Archbishop of

Reformation in doctrine, worship, and church government to eradicate

their rights and power to a king or some other ruling power, who acts for them all. Another pair of butting works of literature refers to King Charles I. A book supposedly written by him was published promptly after his execution titled Eikon Basilike, meaning "The King's Image". In this manuscript Charles presents himself as a "holy martyr". (Norton Topics #1) In return Milton published a work known as Eikonoklastes which is interpreted as "The Image Breaker". He strongly protests the idea of Charles as an "idol" or martyr.

c, and writing. During all of this, conventions, or habitual patterns in literature began to change. Again, for the most part this affected the non-prose area of literature,

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