Assignment Paper 105
This blog task is part of assignment of Paper 105 : History of English Literature - From 1350 to 1900
■ Personal Information:
Name : Nishtha Desai
Batch : M.A Sem 1 ( 2024-26)
Enrollment number : 5108240024
E- mail Address :
nishthadesai355@gmail.com
Roll number : 23
■ Assignment Details :
Topic : Features of the Elizabethan age and Poets of the Elizabethan era
Paper & Subject code: Paper 105 : History of English Literature - From 1350 to 1900
Submitted to: SMT. Department of English, Bhavnagar
Date of Submission: 20 November, 2024
■ Table of Contens :
● Introduction
● Brief Introduction of the Elizabethan age
● Features of the Elizabethan age
● Poets of the Elizabethan age
● Conclusion
■ Introduction :
The Elizabethan age is one of the richest periods in the history of England. The Elizabethan age is also called ‘The Age of Shakespeare,’ ‘Age of Queen Elizabeth’ and ‘The Era of Renaissance.’ This age is also known as ‘The Golden Age of Literature.’ It extends from the accession of Queen Elizabeth in 1558 to the death of Queen Elizabeth in 1603.
It was an era of peace, of economic prosperity, of stability, of liberty, and of great explorations. It was an age of contemplation as well as action, an era which was productive to various genres of literature, especially drama. This age witnessed the rise and growth of the feelings of patriotism and nationalism among the people of England and brought about an unprecedented progress in almost all the branches of its diversified life.
● Brief Introduction of the Elizabethan age :
❖ The reigning period (1558-1603) of Queen Elizabeth I is known as Elizabethan Age but the literary influence of this period was so great that even the reigning period(1603-1625) of James I is also sometimes included in the broad umbrella of Elizabethan Age.
❖ After the reigns of Edward and Mary, Elizabeth came to power in 1558.
❖ The accession of Elizabeth to the English throne was like a fresh morning after a long dark night in the history of England.
❖ In Milton’s words, England became “a noble and puissant nation, rousing herself, like a strong man after sleep, and shaking her invincible locks.”
❖ This is also called the golden age of English literature because it reached the zenith of its development in this age. As it was an age in which ‘men lived intensely, thought intensely, and wrote intensely’.
❖ Literature is the popularly defined as the mirror of society. As English national life progressed by gigantic leaps under the command of Queen
Elizabeth, such was the case with English literature also.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. The great Elizabethan age; also known as:
· The Golden Age of England
· The Renaissance
· The Shakespearean Age
· The 1st great age of Drama & the 2nd great age of Poetry.
■ 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 16th 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 poten 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 14th century and extended till the 17th century.
The Renaissance-inspired the aesthetic and intellect potential whereas the reformation aroused the spiritual nature.
● 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 18th century.
"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
■ Pioneers of Elizabethan Poetry :
Poets took inspiration from Italian forms and genres such as the love sonnet, the pastoral, and the allegorical epic in the Elizabethan Age. In the following section read about the most important and noteworthy poets such as Edmund Spenser and John Donne along with other poets of the Elizabethan Age.
● Edmund Spenser :
Edmund Spenser, a notable Elizabethan poet, is best known for his epic poem “The Faerie Queene.” This influential work has left an indelible mark on English verse, showcasing intricate allegorical narratives that captivated readers. His contribution to the development of English verse solidifies his position as one of the greatest poets in the English language.
Spenser’s “The Faerie Queene” stands as a testament to his prowess in crafting complex and engaging allegorical tales. Through this work, he established himself as a literary figure whose impact extended far beyond the Elizabethan era. His influence continues to resonate through subsequent generations of poets and writers who draw inspiration from his innovative narrative style.
● Sir Philip Sidney :
Sir Philip Sidney occupies a prominent place among notable Elizabethan poets due to his renowned sonnet sequence “Astrophil and Stella.” This collection not only exemplifies his poetic talent but also showcases his significant contributions to the English sonnet tradition. Furthermore, Sidney’s involvement in Elizabethan literary circles further cemented his status as an influential figure during this period.
Sidney’s impact on poetic conventions and courtly love themes reverberates throughout the realm of literature. His exploration of these themes has served as a source of inspiration for countless poets who followed in his footsteps, making him an enduring figure within the landscape of English poetry.
● George Gascoigne :
George Gascoigne is celebrated for pioneering the use of blank verse in English poetry, marking a pivotal moment in its evolution. Notably recognized for introducing innovative poetic forms, Gascoigne’s works such as “The Steele Glas” and “The Complaint of Phylomene” showcase his prowess in experimenting with diverse styles and structures.
Gascoigne’s influence on subsequent generations of poets cannot be overstated; it set a precedent for experimentation within Elizabethan poetry that would shape its trajectory for years to come. The lasting impact he made on poetic expression endures as part of his legacy within this rich literary era.
● Sir Thomas Wyatt (1503-1542)
He is attributed to one important work that appeared after his death. “Tottel’s Miscellany”, which appeared in 1557. Of the bunch, the most noteworthy are thirty-one sonnets, the first in English. Ten of them were translations of Petrarch. All were written in Petrarchan form, apart from the couplet ending, which Wyatt introduced.
● Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey (1516-1547):
Like Wyatt, his works were published posthumously. These were chiefly sonnets, the first of their kind, composed in English or Shakespearian mode, an arrangement of three quatrains followed by a couplet. His most famous work appeared in 1557, called “Certain Bolea of Virgil’s Aeneis” turned into English Meter.
● Thomas Sackville (1536-1608)
Two poems that are of merit, “The Induction” and “The Complaint of Henry Duke of Buckingham”, appeared in a miscellany called “Myrroure for Magistrates” (1563). He also collaborated with Norton in the early tragedy of Gorboduc.
● John Donne (1573-1631)
Along with Spenser, John Donne innovated and showcased his style of poetry which was different from the rest. He was the most independent of all Elizabethan poets. He revolted against the easy, fluent style, stock imagery, and pastoral conventions of the followers of Spenser. He relied heavily on the reality of thought and vividness of expression.
Dryden said, “He affects the metaphysics,” and the term Metaphysical has come to be applied to Donne ever since. His poems are all personal, forceful, and vigorous. Some of his major works include “The Good Morrow” (1633), “Of the Progres of the Soule” (1601), “Songs and Sonets”, “Aire and Angles”, “A Nocturnall upon S. Lucies Day”, “To His Coy Mistress” (1681), “A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning”, “Holy Sonnets” and many more.
● Samuel Daniel (1562-1619)
His poems include a sonnet series called “Delia” (1592), a romance called “The Complaynt of Rosamond” (1592), some long historical poems, such as “The Civil War” (1595), and a large number of masques, of which “The Queenes Wake” (1610) and “Hymen’s Triumph” (1615) are the most important. His best work appears in his sonnets, which, composed in the English manner, carry on the great tradition of Sidney, Spenser, and Shakespeare, “His Defence of Ryme” (1602) is a fine piece of English criticism.
● Conclusion :
The Elizabethan Age, often regarded as the golden age of English literature, was marked by the flourishing of drama, poetry, and prose. It was a period of immense creativity, influenced by the Renaissance spirit of humanism, exploration, and individual expression. The era saw the growth of English as a literary language, with themes often revolving around love, nature, politics, and the human experience.
Drama reached its pinnacle with playwrights like William Shakespeare, whose works combined poetic brilliance with deep insights into human nature. Other dramatists like Christopher Marlowe and Ben Jonson contributed significantly to the richness of Elizabethan theater. Poetry thrived through the sonnets and lyrical works of poets like Edmund Spenser, Philip Sidney, and William Shakespeare. Their works reflected classical influences, intricate styles, and a deep exploration of beauty, morality, and emotions.
This age is remembered for its artistic achievements and for laying the foundation of modern English literature, with a legacy that continues to inspire writers and readers worldwide.
■ My Reference Sources are:
https://litgram.in/elizabethan-poets-and-their-works/
https://www.adda247.com/teaching-jobs-exam/elizabethan-age-poet-authors-name/
Thank you...
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