Characteristics of the Elizabethan - Shakespearean Age

Introduction

The greatest age in the history of English Literature. Yes, you heard it right- I am talking about the great Elizabethan age; also known as:

·         The Golden Age of England

·         The Renaissance

·         The Shakespearean Age

·         The 1^st great age of Drama & the 2^nd great age of Poetry

Elizabethan age was remarkable for its religious tolerance, strong national spirit, patriotism, social content, intellectual progress & unbounded enthusiasm. Incredible thoughts, feelings & vigorous actions were the pillar of this age. It flowers extraordinary development of drama. Equally, it is an age of poetry. The Elizabethan period was the period of glory and triumph in the life and literature of the English people.

Literary Features of the Elizabethan Age

1.     Popularity of Poetry

Though the poetical production was not quite equal to the dramatic, Poetry enjoyed its hey-day during the Elizabethan age. It was nevertheless of great and original beauty. Poetic fervor had bagged the entire age.

Lyrics, songs, & sonnets were produced in huge amount. England became the nest of the singing birds. There were notable improvements in versification.

Spenser introduced pictorialism and melody into poetry. Elizabethan poetries were extraordinary because of its freshness, distinct variety, youth as well as romantic feeling. This age saw the flowering of poetry.

Era of Sonnet

Sonnet was popularized in this period. It was introduced by Thomas Wyatt early in the 16^th century. He introduced Petrarchan sonnet. Shakespeare made changes to the Italian model and introduced his own style, now known as the English Sonnet or Shakespearean Sonnet.

Shakespeare wrote over 100 sonnets that were different from Petrarchan sonnets.

2.     Prose

For the first time in the history of English literature, prose was of first-rate importance.

The heavy burden of the Latin was disappearing while English prose gained a tradition & universal application. Rapid development during this period was almost inevitable.

3.     Emergence of Renaissance

In the Elizabethan age, there were two potent forces- the Renaissance and the Reformation. Both the forces blended and co-operated each other. These two movements produced a great uplifting of the spirit.

The word “renaissance” is originated from the Latin word “nasci” which means “Be Born” Renaissance was the time of great improvement of art, literature, and learning in Europe. The Renaissance Age began in the 14^th century and extended till the 17^th century.

The Renaissance-inspired the aesthetic and intellect potential whereas the reformation aroused the spiritual nature.

4.     New Classicism

The new passion for classical learning was a rich and worthy enthusiasm. It became a danger to the language. In all branches of literature, Greek and Latin usages began to force themselves upon English, which was not totally beneficial. English language gave away its native sturdiness and allowed itself to be tempered and polished by the new influences.

5.     Development of Drama

Drama, during the Elizabethan age, made a rapid & glorious leap into maturity. The drama was perfectly molded in the hands of Shakespeare & Ben Jonson perfectly developed drama

Although, it had many early difficulties to overcome. Because of the disturbances caused by the actors, the theatres were closed between 1590 – 1593. In 1594, the problems were solved by the licensing of two troupes of players:

•  The Lord of Chamberlain’s (among whom was Shakespeare)
•  The Lord Admirals

Another early difficulty the drama had to face was its fondness for taking part in the quarrels of the time. For example “Marprelate Controversy” Owning to this meddling, the theatres were closed in 1589. Already, also a considerable amount of Puritan opposition was declaring itself.
The most important antidramatic book of that time was Gosson’s “School of Abuse” to which Sidney replied with his “Apology for Poetry”.

6.     Abundance of Output

During the Elizabethan Age, the historical situation encouraged a rich & healthy production of the literature of all kinds. A lot of interest was shown in literary subjects. Treaties and pamphlets were written freely uplifting the quality of the literary output. Much abuse; of a personal and scurrilous character that were indulged in literary questions became almost of national importance.

7.     New Romanticism
Elizabethan romantic quest is, for the magnificent & the beautiful. Elizabethan age is the first & the greatest period of romanticism.  All these kind of desires were amply fulfilled by this age.

According to Albert, 

“there was a daring & resolute spirit of adventure in literary as well as the other regions, & most important of these was an un-mistakable buoyancy & freshness in the strong wind of the spirit. It was the ardent youth of English Literature & the achievement was worthy of it.”

8.     Translations in Elizabethan Age

The Elizabethan age observed several important foreign books translation in the English language. By 1579, many of the great books of ancient & modern times had been translated into English, almost all of them by 1603; the end of Queen Elizabeth’s reign.

Just like the original works, the translations also gained popularity:

• Plutarch's Lives translation by Sir Thomas North
• Montaigne's Essais translation by John Florio

Poetical translations were also much popular

• E.g. Arthur Golding translated Metamorphoses
• Sir John Harrington translated Aristotle’s Orlando Furioso
•  Richard Carew translated Tasso’s Jerusalem Libertad

9.     Spirit of Independence

Even though the writers borrowed literature from abroad, this age depicted an unbound spirit of independence & creativeness. Shakespeare openly borrowed literature, but with his splendid creative imaginations, he transformed everything into gold. ‘Spenserian Stanza’ was introduced by Spenser.  We gained the impression of creativity & boldness from his works. Inventiveness and intrepidity was his masterstroke. In short, during this age, the writers’ outlook was broad & independent.

10.Scottish Literature

A curious minor feature of the age was the disappearance of the Scottish Literature after its brief but remarkable appearance in the previous age. At this point, it took to the ground and did not appear till late in the 18^th century.

CONCLUSION

“Such were some of the conditions which combined to create the spirit of Shakespeare’s age – An age in which men lived intensely, thought intensely and wrote intensely.”

-W.H Hudson-