Human ecology
Two parts on a ground: representations of change in Elizabethan England
Two songs in Dowland's "First Booke of Songes"
(1597) particularly explore themes of uncertainty
and change in the context of a lover's thoughts about his mistress. The
first, "My thoughts are wing'd with hopes" is ascribed to George, Earl of
Cumberland (before 1597). The second, "Dear if you
change" (before 1597), is unascribed in my CD
notes and may have been written by Dowland or may be another's work, set to
music by Dowland. This practice was common at the time Crawford (1993, notes
to Dowland (1597))
It would be interesting to look at how the themes of uncertainty in the
works related to wider cultural issues in Elizabethan England. Some areas to
look at might include:
- The tension between the Catholic and Anglican Churches.
- The diversity of literary output at this time.
- International politics between England, France and Spain. The
beginnings of English sea-power.
- The search for philosophical languages. Eco
(1993). Classification and authority.
- The tension between the established Anglican Church and
Protestant sects.
- Ideas of reflexive modernity
(Beck 1986:1992) in relation to both the
instutionalisation of the Anglican Church and the reflexive aspects
of lover's words.
- Links to earlier English ideas, Langland, Lollardism and Wycliffe
- The 'authorised' King James Bible.
- Censorship and religious intolerance in the first half of the
17th Century. The Pilgrim fathers. The Levellers
- Return of Dowland's music. Joyce "A portrait of the artist as a
young man".
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Created 3/10/98
Modified 29/10/99