ELIZABETHAN PERIODELIZABETHAN PERIOD

1558-16031558-1603

Historical ContextHistorical Context The second half of the 15The second half of the 15thth century and the 16 century and the 16thth century century

were a turbulent age in English history.were a turbulent age in English history. In the 15In the 15thth century The Wars of the Roses, the rivalry century The Wars of the Roses, the rivalry

between two aristocratic houses, of York and of Lancaster, between two aristocratic houses, of York and of Lancaster, ended with the victory of the Lancaster family, when their ended with the victory of the Lancaster family, when their distant cousin, Henry Tudor, claimed the throne.distant cousin, Henry Tudor, claimed the throne.

He was crowned as Henry VII, starting the Tudor dynasty. He was crowned as Henry VII, starting the Tudor dynasty. Throughout the Tudor reign, England constantly fought with Throughout the Tudor reign, England constantly fought with its continental neighbors.its continental neighbors.

The old aristocracy lost most of its wealth and power in the The old aristocracy lost most of its wealth and power in the Wars of the Roses, so Henry VIII in the 16Wars of the Roses, so Henry VIII in the 16thth cent, began cent, began giving titles to people from the middle class, making the giving titles to people from the middle class, making the new aristocracy, faithful to the king above all else. new aristocracy, faithful to the king above all else.

The middle class was growing richer and more The middle class was growing richer and more powerful. The communications revolution, started powerful. The communications revolution, started with the printing press, resulted in the fact that in with the printing press, resulted in the fact that in 1600 nearly half of the population had some kind of 1600 nearly half of the population had some kind of minimal literacy.minimal literacy.

The spirit of the Renaissance began to show in The spirit of the Renaissance began to show in England. The rising middle class had access to England. The rising middle class had access to education, could read and write in their mother education, could read and write in their mother tongue, instead of Latin, and was becoming aware tongue, instead of Latin, and was becoming aware of endless possibilities for wealth and success that of endless possibilities for wealth and success that lay in trade and the New World.lay in trade and the New World.

In the 1530s, Henry VIII broke with Rome. So in the In the 1530s, Henry VIII broke with Rome. So in the 1616thth century, there happened 3 influential historical century, there happened 3 influential historical developments: the Renaissance, the Reformation, developments: the Renaissance, the Reformation, and the emergence of England as a maritime power.and the emergence of England as a maritime power.

Elizabethan AgeElizabethan Age

The reign of Elizabeth I was also aThe reign of Elizabeth I was also a turbulent period, but turbulent period, but she successfully coped with all the difficulties. she successfully coped with all the difficulties.

England was threatened by the superpowers of the age England was threatened by the superpowers of the age – France and Spain. – France and Spain.

Elizabeth was excommunicated by the Pope in 1570. Elizabeth was excommunicated by the Pope in 1570. She was in constant fear for her life. Nevertheless, She was in constant fear for her life. Nevertheless, English ships beat the Spanish Armada in 1588. English ships beat the Spanish Armada in 1588.

Elizabeth managed to maintain a relative peace Elizabeth managed to maintain a relative peace between the protestants and the Catholics. She tried to between the protestants and the Catholics. She tried to unite her people, by insisting that they are all English. unite her people, by insisting that they are all English.

This worked well most of the time, and the people This worked well most of the time, and the people developed a sense of national pride. developed a sense of national pride.

Elizabethan LiteratureElizabethan Literature

The Elizabethan era saw a great The Elizabethan era saw a great flourishing of literature, especially in the flourishing of literature, especially in the field of drama. field of drama.

The other major literary style was lyric The other major literary style was lyric poetry. Many of the most important poetry. Many of the most important dramatists of the period were also dramatists of the period were also excellent poets.excellent poets.

Elizabethan PoetryElizabethan Poetry

The Elizabethan Age blended with The Elizabethan Age blended with Renaissance spirit of optimism and Renaissance spirit of optimism and freedom.freedom.

The two poets who introduced The two poets who introduced novelties into lyric poetry before the novelties into lyric poetry before the Elizabethan Age were Elizabethan Age were Sir Thomas Sir Thomas WyattWyatt and and Henry Howard, Earl of Henry Howard, Earl of SurreySurrey..

Wyatt and SurreyWyatt and Surrey It was Sir Thomas Wyatt, a statesman and a It was Sir Thomas Wyatt, a statesman and a

courtier of Henry VIII, who first brought the courtier of Henry VIII, who first brought the sonnet to England. In the form of the sonnet he sonnet to England. In the form of the sonnet he mainly followed the Italian poet Petrarch.mainly followed the Italian poet Petrarch.

Surrey’s work is important because he wrote the Surrey’s work is important because he wrote the first blank verse in English. first blank verse in English.

Blank verse is a verse without rhymes, composed Blank verse is a verse without rhymes, composed in iambic pentameter. In practice, this meant that in iambic pentameter. In practice, this meant that each line consisted of 10 syllables, spoken with a each line consisted of 10 syllables, spoken with a stress on every second syllable. stress on every second syllable.

Dramatists Christopher Marlowe and especially Dramatists Christopher Marlowe and especially Shakespeare later used and significantly Shakespeare later used and significantly improved blank verse. improved blank verse.

ELIZABETHAN DRAMAELIZABETHAN DRAMA The Italian Renaissance had rediscovered the The Italian Renaissance had rediscovered the

ancient Greek and Roman theatre, and this was ancient Greek and Roman theatre, and this was instrumental in the development of the new instrumental in the development of the new drama, which was then beginning to evolve apart drama, which was then beginning to evolve apart from the old mystery and miracle plays of the from the old mystery and miracle plays of the Middle Ages. Middle Ages.

The Italians were particularly inspired by comic The Italians were particularly inspired by comic clichésclichés

Shakespeare’s ImportanceShakespeare’s Importance

Improvement of blank verseImprovement of blank verse Combination of traditional with freer Combination of traditional with freer

style.style. Development of charactersDevelopment of characters Wide range of themesWide range of themes