Overview

""Cross Currents in English Literature of the XVIIth Century"" is a seminal work of literary criticism that explores the profound intellectual and spiritual tensions defining one of England's most transformative eras. Based on a series of influential lectures, H.J.C. Grierson examines the conflict between the humanistic spirit of the Renaissance and the rigorous moral demands of the Reformation. The work identifies the ""cross currents"" that surged through the poetry and prose of the 1600s, focusing on the struggle between the secular allure of the ""world"" and the religious convictions of the age. Grierson provides a masterly analysis of major figures, including John Milton and John Donne, tracing how the political and theological upheavals of the Stuart period shaped their creative output. From the decline of Elizabethan optimism to the rise of Puritanism and the complexities of the Restoration, this book offers an essential framework for understanding the development of English thought and art. It remains a vital resource for scholars and readers interested in the historical and philosophical foundations of 17th-century literature, emphasizing the enduring value of these works as reflections of a culture in transition. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

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