The Classical panegyric ode, disseminated and imitated throughout Europe during the Renaissance, was transformed in England around 1600, becoming the verse-form of choice to reflect and influence...Show moreThe Classical panegyric ode, disseminated and imitated throughout Europe during the Renaissance, was transformed in England around 1600, becoming the verse-form of choice to reflect and influence the politics of national, monarchical, ideological, religious, and personal issues until its demise around 1700. This essay will examine the classical roots of the ode, its transmission northwards during the Renaissance, the adaptations it underwent once imported into England, and how it was deployed as a vessel for political intervention throughout the century. Naturally, moments of great change and political uncertainty – a monarch’s death, a revolution, a counter-revolution, a foreign coup – are when politics come even more to the fore. These four moments of fundamental change form the framework of the overview, and by examining some representative odes from these four key periods of political change across the century, and linking those texts to the particular issues of the moment, this essay illustrates how the ode-form, once established, quickly became a standard vessel for this kind of poetic, opinion-driven expression. The ode-form, thus pressed into political service, developed recognisable and relatively predictable features during the first half of the century. This established ‘classical,’ mid-century form – adjusted, adapted and reshaped by Cowley, chiefly, but wholly retentive of the ‘spirit’ of the Classical poets – was then employed throughout the Restoration until the relative stability of the Glorious Revolution rendered it less necessary. In fact – so recognisable and entrenched had it become by then – the form itself was even undermined by one of its most prominent exponents, reflecting a general depoliticization towards the turn of the eighteenth century.Show less
In the seventeenth century ‘books of secrets’ became increasingly popular. This thesis discusses the origin of the 'books of secrets', their presence in Europe and in the Northern Netherlands...Show moreIn the seventeenth century ‘books of secrets’ became increasingly popular. This thesis discusses the origin of the 'books of secrets', their presence in Europe and in the Northern Netherlands specifically. These books, most popular in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, contain many recipes. Some are leaning more towards early-modern science, while others are clearly connected to magic. The books of secrets that were present in the Netherlands are both translations of works written elsewhere, as works created by Dutch authors.Show less
Delft, as an important town in the Dutch Republic, played an interesting role in the world of the book in the seventeenth century. This thesis focusses on the local influences on the printing...Show moreDelft, as an important town in the Dutch Republic, played an interesting role in the world of the book in the seventeenth century. This thesis focusses on the local influences on the printing industry in seventeenth-century Delft as demonstrated by the printer Jan Pietersz. Waelpot. By looking at the history of printing in Delft, the personal life and business of Jan Pietersz. Waelpot and his publications, the way local institutions, authors and interests influenced his business becomes clear.Show less
This thesis has examined the presence of English books in the libraries of three well-read Dutchmen in the seventeenth century: Balthasar Lydius, Johannes de Laet and Justus Turcq. Consequently,...Show moreThis thesis has examined the presence of English books in the libraries of three well-read Dutchmen in the seventeenth century: Balthasar Lydius, Johannes de Laet and Justus Turcq. Consequently, it has examined the influence of Anglo-Dutch relations on the contents of the libraries of Dutchmen in the Golden Age.Show less
Research master thesis | Arts and Culture (research) (MA)
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This thesis focused on several female collectors in the seventeenth century in the Low Countries and what their influence has been on for example the science of botany, garden design, and...Show moreThis thesis focused on several female collectors in the seventeenth century in the Low Countries and what their influence has been on for example the science of botany, garden design, and entomology. The main figures that are discussed are Maria Sybilla Merian, Magdalena Poulle, and Agnes Block.Show less
In 1625 an Anglo-Dutch fleet attacked the Spanish port of Cádiz. It was the main campaign of the 1624-1630 war between England and Spain. The event was widely recorded in different genres of...Show moreIn 1625 an Anglo-Dutch fleet attacked the Spanish port of Cádiz. It was the main campaign of the 1624-1630 war between England and Spain. The event was widely recorded in different genres of Spanish and English news. How did this news contribute to shaping images of the enemy around specific concepts, such as nation and religion? By addressing the construction of the other, the news also contributed to the formation of images of self-identity. While the Spanish news mainly appealed to the Catholic religion, the English news appealed to a sense of Englishness. The battle of Cádiz and the news produced around it opened a public discussion about the responsibility for it. The news reflected the political tensions within both states and these debates contributed to the definition of a public sphere of discussion.Show less
