English Literature – Before 1670

📜English Literature – Before 1670 Unit 4 – Elizabethan Drama

Elizabethan drama flourished during Queen Elizabeth I's reign, marking a golden age of English theater. This period saw the rise of iconic playwrights like Shakespeare, Marlowe, and Jonson, who crafted enduring works that explored universal themes and human nature. These dramatists revolutionized theatrical conventions, employing innovative language and staging techniques. Their plays, performed in open-air theaters, captivated audiences across social classes and continue to influence literature, language, and popular culture to this day.

Historical Context

  • Elizabethan era in England spanned from 1558 to 1603 during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I
  • Period of relative stability and prosperity following tumultuous years of religious and political upheaval
  • Renaissance ideals and humanism gained prominence emphasizing the importance of individual achievement and classical learning
  • Rise of the middle class and increased literacy rates contributed to a growing demand for entertainment and cultural activities
  • Closure of Catholic churches and monasteries led to the repurposing of these spaces for secular use including theatrical performances
  • Patronage system played a significant role in supporting the arts with wealthy individuals and the royal court sponsoring playwrights and acting companies
  • English victory over the Spanish Armada in 1588 boosted national pride and confidence fueling a surge in artistic and literary expression

Key Playwrights and Works

  • William Shakespeare (1564-1616) the most renowned playwright of the era known for his comedies (A Midsummer Night's Dream) tragedies (Hamlet, Macbeth) and histories (Henry IV, Richard III)
    • Introduced complex characters, universal themes, and innovative use of language
    • Collaborated with the Lord Chamberlain's Men later known as the King's Men
  • Christopher Marlowe (1564-1593) a contemporary of Shakespeare known for his blank verse and tragic heroes
    • Notable works include Doctor Faustus, The Jew of Malta, and Edward II
    • Pioneered the use of blank verse in dramatic writing
  • Ben Jonson (1572-1637) a prolific playwright and poet best known for his satirical comedies
    • Plays such as Volpone, The Alchemist, and Bartholomew Fair critique social vices and follies
    • Popularized the comedy of humours which focused on exaggerated character types
  • Thomas Kyd (1558-1594) credited with establishing the revenge tragedy genre
    • The Spanish Tragedy a highly influential work that inspired subsequent revenge plays
  • Thomas Dekker (c. 1572-1632) collaborated with other playwrights and wrote city comedies
    • The Shoemaker's Holiday portrays the lives of working-class Londoners

Theatrical Conventions

  • Plays were typically performed in open-air amphitheaters such as the Globe Theatre
  • Minimal use of stage sets and props with the audience relying on the actors' dialogue and actions to convey the story
  • Soliloquies and asides were common devices used to reveal a character's inner thoughts and emotions directly to the audience
  • Cross-dressing was a common practice with male actors playing both male and female roles as women were not allowed to perform on stage
  • Music and dance were often incorporated into performances to entertain the audience and enhance the mood
  • Use of a chorus or prologue to introduce the play and provide context or commentary
  • Plays were divided into five acts following the structure of classical Roman drama
  • Elaborate costumes were used to signify a character's social status, occupation, or nationality

Themes and Motifs

  • The nature of power and authority exploring the responsibilities and challenges of leadership (Henry IV, Macbeth)
  • The human condition and the search for meaning in a complex and often chaotic world (Hamlet)
  • Love in its various forms including romantic love, familial love, and the consequences of love (Romeo and Juliet, Twelfth Night)
    • The transformative power of love and its ability to transcend social barriers
    • The destructive nature of obsessive or unrequited love
  • The role of fate versus free will in shaping human destiny (Doctor Faustus, Oedipus Rex)
  • The corrupting influence of ambition and the dangers of unchecked power (Macbeth, Richard III)
  • The tension between appearance and reality and the deceptive nature of appearances (The Merchant of Venice, Othello)
  • The importance of honor, loyalty, and moral integrity in the face of adversity (Julius Caesar)
  • The cyclical nature of violence and revenge and its destructive consequences (The Spanish Tragedy, Hamlet)

Language and Style

  • Extensive use of blank verse, unrhymed iambic pentameter, which mimics natural speech patterns and allows for fluid expression of thoughts and emotions
  • Clever wordplay, puns, and double entendres to create humor, convey multiple meanings, and engage the audience
  • Vivid imagery and metaphorical language to evoke powerful emotions and paint mental pictures
  • Use of soliloquies to reveal a character's inner thoughts, conflicts, and motivations
  • Inclusion of prose alongside verse to distinguish between social classes or to signify a break from the main action
  • Rhetorical devices such as repetition, antithesis, and parallelism to emphasize key ideas and create memorable phrases
  • Adaptation of classical allusions and mythological references to add depth and resonance to the text
  • Development of distinct voices and speech patterns for individual characters to reflect their personalities and backgrounds

Social and Cultural Impact

  • Theater became a popular form of entertainment accessible to all social classes
  • Plays often reflected and commented on contemporary social, political, and religious issues
  • The theater served as a platform for public discourse and the exchange of ideas
  • Playwrights used their works to critique social injustices, corruption, and abuse of power
  • Plays contributed to the spread of Renaissance ideals, humanist thought, and the celebration of individual agency
  • The theater industry provided employment opportunities for actors, playwrights, musicians, and other professionals
  • Theatrical performances helped to shape public opinion and foster a sense of national identity
  • The popularity of theater led to the construction of permanent playhouses and the establishment of professional acting companies

Performance and Staging

  • Elizabethan theaters were typically open-air structures with a raised stage surrounded by three tiers of galleries
  • The stage was a large platform that extended into the audience, allowing for intimate interaction between actors and spectators
  • Minimal use of scenery and props, with the audience relying on the actors' descriptions and actions to create the setting
  • Use of trapdoors, balconies, and inner stages to create different levels and spaces for action
  • Performances took place during daylight hours, necessitating the use of natural lighting
  • Actors had to project their voices and use exaggerated gestures to convey emotions and actions to the large audience
  • Music and sound effects were created using a variety of instruments, including trumpets, drums, and bells
  • Elaborate costumes and makeup were used to signify characters' social status, occupation, and nationality

Legacy and Influence

  • Elizabethan drama laid the foundation for the development of modern theater and dramatic literature
  • Shakespeare's works have been translated into numerous languages and continue to be performed and adapted worldwide
  • The plays of the era have inspired countless adaptations, reinterpretations, and reimaginings across various media (film, television, opera, ballet)
    • West Side Story a modern retelling of Romeo and Juliet set in 1950s New York City
    • Akira Kurosawa's Throne of Blood a Japanese adaptation of Macbeth set in feudal Japan
  • Elizabethan playwrights introduced enduring character archetypes (the tragic hero, the wise fool, the star-crossed lovers) that have become staples of dramatic writing
  • The era's exploration of universal themes and the human condition continues to resonate with audiences across time and cultures
  • The works of Shakespeare and his contemporaries have shaped the English language itself with countless phrases and idioms entering common usage ("to be or not to be," "all the world's a stage," "the green-eyed monster")
  • Elizabethan drama has had a profound influence on literature, inspiring generations of writers and serving as a model for dramatic structure, characterization, and poetic language
  • The study of Elizabethan drama remains a cornerstone of English literature curricula and continues to attract scholars, performers, and enthusiasts worldwide


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© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.