Assignment : paper no : 105 History of English Literature From 1350 to 1900.
Assignment : 105- History of English Literature from 1350 to 1900.
This blog is part of an Assignment of sem 1 ,paper no :105, History of English Literature from 1350 to 1900,Assigned by Dr. Dilip Barad sir, Department of English ,MKBU.In this Assignment I am dealing with the topic of History of English Literature from 1350 to 1900.
Assignment : Paper no :105
History of English Literature from 1350 to 1900.
∆ Personal Information:
Name : Maya Batiya
Roll no : 32
Enrollment no :5108230003
Course : M.A.sem-1
Paper no :105
Paper code :22396
Paper name : History of English Literature from 1350 to 1900.
Topic : Characteristics of The Elizabethan age.
Submitted : Smt.S.B.Gardi, Department of English MKBU.
Email:mayajbatiya2003@gmail.com
# Characteristics of the Elizabethan age.
∆ Introduction :
Elizabethan age started with the end of the reigns of Edward and Mary, who had faced defeat and humiliation abroad and persecutions rebellion at home. The accession of the popular sovereign was like the sunrise after a long night and, in Milton's words, we suddenly see England, "a noble and puissant nation, rousing herself, like a strong man after sleep, and shaking her invincible locks." Elizabeth, with all her vanity and inconsistency, steadily loved England and England's greatness; and that she inspired all her people with the unbounded patriotism which exults in Shakespeare, and with the personal devotion which finds a voice in the Faery Queen. Under her administration the English national life progressed by gigantic leaps rather than by slow historical process, and English literature reached the very highest point of its development. It is possible to indicate only a few general characteristics of this great age which had a direct bearing upon its literature. Thus the political aspect of Elizabethan age seems very peaceful, sans turmoil and wars. It was this peaceful situation that helped English society to grow by leaps and bounds.
∆ CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ELIZABETHAN AGE :
Elizabethan age is characterized by the following characteristics:
∆ RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE:
• The most characteristic feature of the age was the comparative religious tolerance.
• The frightful excesses of the religious war known as the Thirty Years’ War on the Continent found no parallel in England.
• Upon her accession Elizabeth found the whole kingdom divided against itself; the North was largely Catholic, while the southern counties were as strongly Protestant.
• Scotland had followed the Reformation while Ireland remained true to its old religious traditions, both countries were openly rebellious.
• Elizabeth favored both religious parties, and Catholics and Protestants acted together as trusted counselors of a great sovereign.
• The defeat of the Spanish Armada established the Reformation as a fact in England,
• Reformation began, to settled the mind of man, freed from religious fears
One of the important characteristics of Elizabethan age was the religious tolerance. England was still divided between two religious groups the North was largely Catholic, while the southern counties were as strongly Protestant. But the court favored both the parties and the world saw with amazement Catholics and Protestants working together hand in hand. For the first time since the Reformation began, the fundamental question of religious toleration seemed to be settled, and the mind of man, freed from religious fears and persecutions, turned with a great creative impulse to other forms of activity. It is partly from this new freedom of the mind that the Age of Elizabeth received its great literary stimulus.
∆ SOCIAL CONTENTMENT :
It was an age of comparative social contentment, in strong contrast with the days of Langland. The rapid increase of manufacturing towns gave employment to thousands who had before been idle and discontented. Increasing trade brought enormous wealth to England, and this wealth was shared to this extent, at least, that for the first time some systematic care for the needy was attempted.
• It was an age of comparative social contentment, in strong contrast with the days of Langland.
• The rapid increase of manufacturing towns gave employment to thousand
• Increasing trade brought enormous wealth to England,
• The increase of wealth, the improvement in living, the opportunities for labor, the new social content–these also are factors which help to account for the new literary activity.
Social contentment in the Elizabethan Age varied across different segments of society. The era experienced economic growth, artistic flourishing, and the expansion of trade, contributing to a sense of prosperity for some. However, social discontent also existed, particularly among the lower classes facing economic hardships and challenges such as inflation and food shortages. The Poor Laws were implemented to address poverty, but not everyone experienced the same level of contentment. The Elizabethan society was characterized by a complex interplay of social, economic, and political factors that influenced the overall sense of well-being among its people.
∆ ENTHUSIASM :
The Elizabethan Age was marked by a notable enthusiasm for various aspects of life. This period saw a flourishing of arts and literature, exemplified by the works of William Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe. The Renaissance spirit influenced intellectual pursuits, with a growing interest in science, exploration, and humanism. Elizabethan England experienced a surge in maritime exploration, exemplified by figures like Sir Francis Drake and the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588. Despite economic challenges and social disparities, there was a sense of national pride and enthusiasm for cultural and intellectual achievements during this vibrant era.
• It is an age of dreams, of adventure, of unbounded enthusiasm springing from the new lands of fabulous riches revealed by English explorers.
• Drake sails around the world, shaping the mighty course which English colonizers shall follow through the centuries;
young philosopher Bacon is saying confidently, “I have taken all knowledge for my province.”
• The mind must search farther than the eye; with new, rich lands opened to the sight, the imagination must create new forms to people the new worlds.
• Hakluyt’s famous Collection of Voyages, and Purchas, His Pilgrimage, were even more stimulating to the English imaginatin.
• her poets are creating literary works that are young forever.
Marston writes: “Why, man, all their dripping pans are pure gold. The prisoners they take are fettered in gold; and as for rubies and diamonds, they goe forth on holydayes and gather ‘hem by the seashore to hang on their children’s coates.”
• Cabot, Drake, Frobisher, Gilbert, Raleigh, Willoughby, Hawkins,–a score of explorers reveal a new earth to men’s eyes, and instantly literature creates a new heaven to match it.
∆ THE DRAMA :
To sum up, the Age of Elizabeth was a time of intellectual liberty, of growing intelligence and comfort among all classes, of unbounded patriotism, and of peace at home and abroad. For a parallel we must go back to the Age of Pericles in Athens, or of Augustus in Rome, or go forward a little to the magnificent court of Louis XIV, when Corneille, Racine, and Molière brought the drama in France to the point where Marlowe, Shakespeare, and Jonson had left it in England half a century earlier. Such an age of great thought and great action, appealing to the eyes as well as to the imagination and intellect, finds but one adequate literary expression; neither poetry nor the story can express the whole man,--his thought, feeling, action, and the resulting character; hence in the Age of Elizabeth literature turned instinctively to the drama and brought it rapidly to the highest stage of its development. The famous dramatists that wrote during this era were the University wits including Lyly, Green, Peele, Kyd, Nash, however it was at the hands of Marlowe and Shakespeare that Drama reached to its heights which English Drama achieved neither before Elizabethan age nor after Elizabethan age. There were many forms of drama that flourished during this age, like Comedy and Tragedy at the hands of Shakespeare, Comedy of Humors at the hands of Ben Johnson, Revenge Tragedy at the hands of Kyd and Webster, and Mellow drama by Webster.
The Italian Renaissance had rediscovered the ancient Greek and Roman theatre, and the new drama was begin to evolve apart from the old mystery and miracle plays of the Middle Ages.
Drama in the Elizabethan Age reached its zenith, marked by the works of renowned playwrights like William Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe. The period, often referred to as the Elizabethan or English Renaissance, witnessed the construction of iconic theaters like The Globe. The plays of Shakespeare, such as "Hamlet," "Othello," and "Romeo and Juliet," are celebrated for their profound exploration of human nature and societal complexities.
Christopher Marlowe's contributions, including "Doctor Faustus" and "Tamburlaine," showcased a distinctive style and thematic richness. The Elizabethan drama also embraced historical plays, comedies, and tragedies, reflecting the cultural and political milieu of the time. The popularity of theater became a significant aspect of Elizabethan society, contributing to the era's lasting impact on literature and the arts.
∆ Conclusion :
In conclusion, the Elizabethan Age was a period of remarkable cultural, artistic, and intellectual flourishing. Marked by the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, this era witnessed the peak of Renaissance influences in England. Key characteristics include the prolific output of Elizabethan drama, exemplified by the works of Shakespeare and Marlowe, reflecting a profound exploration of human nature and societal complexities. The era also saw a surge in maritime exploration, economic growth, and a sense of national pride. However, social disparities persisted, and the religious landscape was marked by tensions. Overall, the Elizabethan Age left an enduring legacy, shaping the course of literature, arts, and exploration in English history.
∆ References :
“1550-1630.” THE WORLD OF LITERATURE, khandyeducation.weebly.com/1550-1630.html. Accessed 26 Nov. 2023.
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