“Not everyone welcomed the printed book and those who did also had fears about it”. Justify the statement by giving three arguments.
- Many were apprehensive of the effects that the easier access to the printed word and the wider circulation of books, could have on people’s minds.
- It was feared that if there was no control over what was printed and read then rebellious and irreligious thoughts might spread.
- If that happened the authority of ‘valuable’ literature would be destroyed.
- Expressed by religions authorities and monarchs, as well as many writers and artists, this anxiety was the basis of wide spread criticism of the new printed literature that had began to circulate.