Between Words: Popular Culture and the Rise of Print in Seventeenth Century England

Abstract

Seventeenth century England was forced to come to terms with events such as the Civil War and the regicide of King Charles I, in the midst of contending with the cultural changes brought upon by print culture, the effects of which appeared throughout all aspects of English society. These changes helped form a relationship between print and oral culture, one of negotiation among the producers and regulators of work and the society consuming the works. The discussion of this negotiation has led to varying conclusions concerning the true impact of printed materials on English society and culture, all of which tend to see the relationship in one of two ways: print\u27s undeniable and unprecedented influence on culture, or its function as supplement to oral and visual communication. The latter conclusion helped form the foundation of this study, which aims to further understand the negotiation between print and English society. The close analysis of recurring themes of the supernatural, specifically prophecy, witchcraft, regicide, and the natural world, will show unmistakable similarities between popular entertainment and written works. Through the examination of these themes, this thesis will illustrate the extent to which common imagery and wording appeared in newsbooks and what this says about oral communication and culture in early modern England

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