Final answer:
The English Renaissance was influenced by ancient Greek and Roman culture, with a significant focus on humanism and classical learning. This movement, starting in Italy, spread to England and had a profound effect on literature, particularly the theater, leading to a golden age of English drama.
Step-by-step explanation:
The English Renaissance (1485-1660) derived from a revival of the cultural, political, and intellectual ideas rooted in the classical antiquity of ancient Greece and Rome. This period, often referred to as a "rebirth" or Renaissance, marked the transition from medieval times to the early modern age. It began in Italy, notably from the city-states like Florence that prospered from trade, and influenced figures such as Petrarch, who advocated for a return to Classical Latin and the emulation of ancient styles in literature and rhetoric.
In England, the Renaissance had a significant influence on literature, particularly in theater. Playwrights like Shakespeare were inspired by ancient Greek and Roman texts. This blend of medieval and classical influences resulted in the prolific period of English theater during the late Tudor era, with lasting impacts on art, culture, and education.
The broader intellectual basis of the entire European Renaissance was heavily influenced by classical Greek philosophy, which emphasized humanism - a belief in the centrality of human experience and rationalism in understanding the world. Innovations in art, science, and politics during this time were propelled by a resurgence of classical learning and the availability of new technologies like metal movable type.