Elizabethan Drama
History &
Features
The Elizabethan age (1558-1603) was the most flowering
period of English drama. Elizabethan Drama was written and performed publicly
in England throughout the reign of Queen Elizabeth. Under Queen Elizabeth’s
administration, English Literature reached the highest point of its
development.
‘University Wits’ were known as predecessors of
Elizabethan drama. They laid the foundation of Elizabethan drama in England.
‘University Wits’ was a group of young dramatist of the Early Elizabethan
period, who were the students of the universities of Cambridge and Oxford. They
are John Lyly, Christopher Marlowe, Thomas Kyd, Thomas Lodge, Thomas Nashe,
Robert Green and George Peele.
THEMES
OF ELIZABETHAN DRAMA:
1.
Anti-Jewish
Approach
2.
Revenge Tragedy
3.
Supernatural
Elements
4.
Comedy of Humours
1.
Anti-Jewish Approach:
Among the popular themes was anti-Jewish approach in
Elizabethan society which is reflected in the plays Christopher Marlowe’s ‘The
Jew of Malta’ and William Shakespeare ‘The Merchant of Venice’. The conflict
between the Jews and Christians had been on fore front in Elizabethan drama.
2.
Revenge Tragedy:
The theme of revenge found in Senacan tragedies was mostly
followed by the Elizabethan dramatists. Be it Thomas Kyd’s ‘The Spanish
Tragedy’ or Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’. The motive of revenge became the main
counter-motive in drama, especially tragedies.
3.
Supernatural Element:
Another theme that was prominent was the supernatural as
the society of the time was highly superstitious with people believing in
supernatural forms. Ghosts became the prime moving force in many tragedies.
Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’, ‘Macbeth’, ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ and Marlowe’s
‘Doctor Faustus’ are replete with supernatural appearances.
4.
Comedy of Humours:
A new theory of humor was introduced by Ben Jonson towards
the end of Elizabethan age. His plays were based on the humor which arouses out
of the imbalance of human body, namely, blood, phlegm, black bile, and yellow
bile. Ben Jon’s ‘Every Man is His Humor’ is the best example of comedy of
humor.
DRAMATIC DEVICES:
1.
Chorus was used profusely
to introduce the story and major characters in the beginning as well as at the
end of the play.
2.
Asides or private
conversations and soliloquies are used to engage
with the audience and have become quite popular.
3.
lambic
Pentameter with five two-syllable units or feet was the most popular
construction of the age.
4.
Blank
verse with iambic pentameter
was also used profusely in Elizabethan plays.
MAJOR
DRAMATISTS:
1.
William Shakespeare: Wrote 37 plays. Known by his Romantic comedies and
tragedies.
2.
Christopher Marlowe: Four important tragedies, ‘Doctor Faustus’, ‘Edward II’,
‘Tamburlaine’, ‘Jew of Malta’
3.
Ben Jonson: Wrote 18 plays. ‘Everyman in His Humour’, ‘Valpone’, ‘The
Silent Woman’, and ‘The Alchemist’
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