However, several key figures and movements contributed to the development of new audiences for vernacular literature:
Early Medieval Period:
* Monks and Scribes: In the early Middle Ages, they copied and disseminated religious texts in Latin, the language of scholarship. They began to translate these texts into vernacular languages, making them accessible to a wider audience, including those who were not educated in Latin.
Late Medieval and Renaissance:
* Printing Press: The invention of the printing press in the 15th century revolutionized the distribution of literature. Books became much cheaper and more readily available, allowing for a wider readership. This, in turn, led to the development of a new audience for vernacular literature, including those who were not part of the elite.
* Humanist Movement: This movement emphasized the study of classical literature and rhetoric in the vernacular, which helped to elevate the status of these languages and make them more acceptable for literary expression.
* Vernacular Literature: Authors such as Dante Alighieri, Geoffrey Chaucer, and William Langland, who wrote in Italian, English, and Middle English, respectively, helped to establish the vernacular as a viable literary language and contributed to the formation of a wider audience for their works.
The Reformation:
* Religious Reformers: Martin Luther, John Wycliffe, and other religious reformers translated the Bible into German and English, respectively, making it accessible to the common people and fostering religious literacy among a wider audience.
Beyond these key figures and movements, the development of a new audience for vernacular literature was also influenced by:
* Growing literacy rates: As more people learned to read and write, they became a potential audience for vernacular literature.
* The rise of a middle class: This class, with its increased wealth and leisure time, was able to afford and consume literature.
* The development of national identities: Vernacular languages became associated with national identity, which further encouraged the use of these languages in literature.
Overall, the formation of a new audience for works of literature in the vernacular was a complex process with many contributing factors.