Elizabethan Classics in Literature and Drama:
“Although there be none so ignorant that doth not know, neither any so impudent that will not confesse, friendship to be the jewell of humaine joye.”
John Lyly
Elizabethan Era refers to the period in England from 1558 – 1603, the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. This was the golden era of Elizabethan literature.
It was a period of the springing of new ideas, a new world of arts, creativity, and theatre. The period was characterized by some of the greatest English works and flourishing literature in the field of drama.
Literature
Elizabethan Classics: Of a galaxy of writers who immortalized the Elizabethan period, a few may be mentioned. William Shakespeare is the first and foremost in the list. Others were Christopher Marlowe, John Fletcher, Edmund Spenser, Roger Ascham, Thomas Nashe, Thomas Middleton, Richard Hooker, Ben Johnson, John Webster, Jon Donne, Philip Sydney and so on and so forth.
In almost all the fields including poetry, literature, and drama, the spirit of romance dominated. We could see both idealism and realism.
The period was also an era of experimentation in each and every field. The period also saw the beginning of prose fiction. The first of the works was Spenser’s ‘Shepherd’s Calendar’ published in 1579.
John Lyly who came from Oxford to London published his book entitled ‘Euphues and His Anatomie of Wit.’ Lyly was known for refining and beautifying the art of prose expression.
Elizabethan Poetry
The English sonnet also became popular. It was introduced in the 16th century by Thomas Wyatt. Poems by Thomas Campion also were appreciated. Poetry was generally characterized by elaboration and myths. The most important poets of this era include Edmund Spenser and Philip Sidney. Edmund Spenser developed lengthy pastoral verse.
Philip Sydney began a type of literary theory in his Apologie for Poetry (1595), in which he defined the role of the poet in society. The literature of Italy, Spain, and France were influenced by Elizabethan literature. The Italians were particularly inspired by Seneca, a major tragic playwright and philosopher, and Plautus.
Elizabethan Classics Drama
The four key unique features of Elizabethan theatre were
- Revenge
- Sensationalism
- Vengeance and
- Melodrama
The Elizabethan period witnessed a great flourishing of drama and theatrical plays. Some of the earlier plays were Gorboduc by Sackville & Norton and The Spanish Tragedy by Kyd (1590). Shakespeare was the undisputed poet and playwright of the time. Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, Othello, King Lear, Macbeth, Antony and Cleopatra, and The Tempest were some of his celebrated plays.
Others renowned for their contribution to Elizabethan theatre were Christopher Marlowe, Thomas Dekker, John Fletcher, and Francis Beaumont. Marlowe has a special place as far as Elizabethan theatre is concerned. He focused more on moral drama. He was also influenced by modern science.
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