Genre Studies- Unit- II Elizabethan Age

 Unit- II

Elizabethan Age

Queen Elizabeth (1558-603)

• She was the Last Tudor monarch; reigned 44 years. 

• She became  cult figure, represented the glory of England.

• She successfully defeated all plots against her.

• Great military victory over the Spaniards (1588)

• She led England to be one of the most powerful countries in the world.

• She was the Epitome of beauty and greatness.

London in the Elizabethan Age

• London was the center of culture and commerce beside the Thames.

• Growing population; dominant merchant class

• A large number of poets and dramatists.

• Drama was the most popular entertainment.

socio- political Scenario

• Despite Renaissance and Humanism, Elizabethan society wss still primitive in science and technology.

• Printing was a luxury

• Even local travel was arduous and limited.

Elizabethan Theatre: Beginnings

• Early 16th century travelling actors considered vagabonds and thieves. Later, licenses were given to nobles for for maintaining actors. This, acting troupes come into being.

• Acting troupes played in the courtyards of taverns called Inn-yards. Temporary stage erected.

• The first permanent theatre was James Burbage's " The Theatre"

Elizabethan Theatre: Structure

• Round, wooden, roofless building

• 3 galleries of seats

• The pit (no seats), where the "groundings" stood, cost a penny

• Main stage- 40 feet wide, 27 feet projection into the pit.

• Recessed inner stage( curtains and balcony)

• Music room

• Provisions for heaven and Hell.

Drama in the Elizabethan Age

• After defeating the Spanish Armaida, England became intensely patriotic, and this spirit reflected in the plays

• Queen Elizabeth was directly involved with the stage; and even decided which plays were to be acted.

• Playwrights were practical men, bent on making a living.

• Plays were written to be acted, not read.

• Once a playwright sold his manuscript, he had no right to it.

• There was increasing commercialization of the stage; the artists were pressurized to excel.

• By the Jacobean period, only members of the royal family were allowed to patronize artist.