17C - Religious Allegories of the Seventeenth Century Lesson

Certainly, British authors have used the classical Greek and Roman myths as inspiration for their compositions. The romantic poets were fascinated with ancient Egyptian culture. However, no work or culture compares to the impact that the Bible has had on English literature and culture. The publication in English of the King James Bible was a milestone in the development of the language that also witnessed the incredible creativity of Shakespeare.

For centuries, the Bible was the cornerstone of European culture--the ultimate reference for rulers and priests, the ultimate authorization for laws and religious practices, a treasury of images and subjects for art. Click here for more information on the background on the King James Bible and view the presentation below for an overview of the history of the Bible along with an overview of passages from the Bible that have influenced literature throughout the years.

The Bible as Literature

Reading Assignment

Now that you have learned about the King James Bible as literature, read excerpts from the following books and parables: Links to an external site.

Chapters from Genesis

Chapters from Revelations

Recall that parables teach lessons to readers. Read the following parables and attempt to determine the lesson in the text:

Read The Good Samaritan

Read The Sermon on the Mount

Read The Prodigal Son