Elizabethan Era - An Age of Theatre, Exploration and Religious Reformation in England

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This age is also known as the Renaissance of England as during the reign of Queen Gloriana (Elizabeth), England flourished in scientific, industrial, philosophical and colonial advancements. This age is also renowned as the Golden Age for political peace.

Age of Theatres

During this age, theatres and dramas were widely performed in England, from casual Greek rip-offs to an illustration of social evils. The dramatic genre of literature was more effective, influential and popular at that time. Here are some renowned theatres in England:

1. The Red Lion Theatre
2. The Theatre
3. The Swan Theatre
4. The Rose Theatre
5. The Globe Theatre
6. The Curtain Theatre

 

Notable Dramatists in English Renaissance:

1. William Shakespeare: Famous for his Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet and The Sonnets
2. Christopher Marlowe: Famous for Jew of Malta and Queen of Carthage

An Age of Exploration

There were three main reasons behind Englanders to venture onto the wide oceans:

1. To find new continents and islands
2. To find new markets for their business
3. To enlarge the kingdom of England

Famous Explorers

1. Sir Francis Drake: The first to circle around the whole globe
2. Sir Walter Raleigh: To colonize North America in 1585

Class Division During Elizabethan Era

1. The class division was rigid and no one was able to switch his class
2. The Feudalism system was also at peak and helped the monarch to rule over the working class
3. Another class, the merchants slowly but gradually strengthen their position and has topped the Lords
4. The people had been judged by their nobility and class, not by their characters
5. The Chain of Beings:
   1. God
   2. Angels
   3. Humans
   4. Animals and Insects
   5. Plants and Trees

 

The Chain of Human Classes during the Elizabethan Era

1. Monarchy: Of Kings and Queens
2. Nobility: Of Lords, Dukes and Ladies
3. Gentry: Of Knights and Soldiers
4. Merchants: Of Businessmen
5. Yeomen: Middle-class people
6. Labours: Most lower class, workers in farms, industries and as servants

Government

The government during the Elizabethan era was comprised of three tiers:

1. Monarch
2. Privy Council: The advisers of the monarch
3. Parliament
   3.1 The House of Lords (was more powerful during Elizabethan Era)
   3.2 The House of Commons (is powerful today)

 

Religion

During the Elizabethan Era, a major shift of divide could be seen in religion. Before Queen Gloriana, British was "ruled" by the Pope of Roman Catholic Chruch. As soon as the fire of Renaissance caught up in England, the situation began to change gradually in favour of Protestant form of Christianity and the authority of Pope began to question. Queen Elizabeth I was also a patronage of the Protestant movement. She idealised the Church of England both as Catholic and Reformed but most importantly, she abolished the supremacy of Roman Catholic Church and proclaimed to honour the church as the central church for England.

 

Elizabethan vs Greek Dramas

 

1. Action in a drama was not performed but told by the characters
2. There were no or less spectacles as compared with Greek theatre
3. Just like Greek theatre, there were no female actors in Elizabethan Stage
4. Fancy Dresses: A major source of attraction. Usually, the dresses were used and then gifted by aristocratic class to the drama companies. No one was allowed to wear such costly cloths, in these dramas, these clothes were allowed to be worn and displayed to the masses