📜English Literature – Before 1670 Unit 4 – Elizabethan Drama

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