English Literature: History of Jacobean age in English Literature - Characteristics of Jacobean Literature - Drama of Jacobean - Jacobean age Literature - Major Writers of the Jacobean Age and their Major Works

The name of this era belonged to James I who ruled England from 1603 and 1625. "Jacob" comes from the Latin form of James, "Jacobus." Some historians would want to label the final five years of this era a "Puritan Age" (1620-1660). They name it such because puritanism became the dominant force in England's life and literature between 1620 and 1660.

This period was also known as the transition period. The Jacobean period followed the Elizabethan era, before the Caroline era, and in particular, it indicates a prominent architectural style, visual arts, fine art, and literature. During this era painting and sculpture are accomplished behind architecture since there were neither fine experts. The leader of the early Jacobean artists was Isaac Oliver. Many of the Jacobic portraitists were foreign-born or foreign, like sculptors — for instance, Cornelius Johnson, Marcus Gheerhaerts the Younger, Paul van Somer, and Daniel Mytens. Their work was subsequently excellent for those of the Spanish artists' Peter Paul Rubens and Anthony Van Dyck who visited England during Charles I's rule.

Elizabeth was known and knowledgeable, whereas James was not famous at all. He was uneducated and couldn't talk to the people. His court was dishonorable and rubbish. The literature of the times shows the critical character.

Characteristics of Jacobean Literature

Economy and Society:

England and Wales had four million inhabitants at the beginning of the 17th century. The population doubled in excess of the previous century and grew over the following 50 years. Population growth led to social and economic issues, such as long-term inflation of prices.

Government and Society:

The 17th century was fully linked to the social hierarchy controlling local communities. Rank, position, and reputation were the foundation for serving the crown in the counties or in the courts for the local elect. Political philosophy stressed the hierarchy, patriarchy, and obedience of English society's natural order. The metaphor of body politics was the most frequent depiction of this political community.

Religious policy:

The Millenary Petition (1603) (The Millenary Petition was a list of Puritans' demands to James I in 1603 as he was going to London for the English crown) It started a discussion over James' religious development. The King called for the official conversation with the Reformers to several prominent bishops. The King's personal involvement in the debate was shown in the Hampton Court conference (1604).

Finance and Politics:

Scotland's yearly budget was a little under 50,000. James I, had severe financial difficulties inherited. Queen Elizabeth leftover 400,000 debts. James' strong likelihood that following the judges in Bate's case, the latter increased (1606). So, James age was facing the finance problems.

The main features of this era were:

During that time, the religious struggle that began in the Elizabethan age had resumed.
The impact of the Renaissance persisted.
Scotland has been placed under the King of England's authority.

Jacobean age Literature

Drama of Jacobean

Jacobean literature, including some of the renowned and tragic plays of Shakespeare, starts with the theatre. Ben Jonson, whose diverse and dramatic works follow classical patterns and were enhanced by a worldly, particularly English wit, was the prominent literary character of James' reign. His satiric plays, especially the famous Volpone (1606), all take a pessimistic description of human nature.

One of the reasons why the Jacobean theatre was immoral, was because it lost any connection with ordinary people. In Elizabeth's day, the playwrights and the audience had been pleased, but in James' day, the playwright drew from the ideas and exaggerated the Spanish theatre and found fascination and criminality in Italy and Italy. They updated the tragedy drama into the horror drama. However, Jacobean dramatist showed a unique ability in developing his ideas and complots. The jacobean theatre was primarily sponsored by the classes known as uncharacteristic morality.

Major Writers of the Jacobean Age and their Major Works

Shakespeare, who began in the Elizabethan era, authored at that time twelve major plays.

These are the following plays:

The Winter's Tale (1610)
The Tempest (1611)
Henry VIII (in part- 1613)
Coriolanus (1606)
Tinton of Athens (unfinished-1608)
Pericles (in part-1608)
Cymbeline (1609)
Measure for Measure (1604)
Othello (1604)
Macbeth (1605)
King Lear (1605)
Antony and Cleopatra (1606)

Although Shakespeare wrote his serious play in the Jacobean era, he is never a Jacobean, he is considered an Elizabethan playwright. The time he wrote (1590-1616) is often dubbed the Shakespearean Age.

Famous writers of the Jacobean age

Ben Jonson

He was known by another name Benjamin Jonson. He was an English playwright, writer, and literary critic Stuart was born in London. After William Shakespeare, during the reign of James I, he is considered the second most significant English playwright. He had begun in the Elizabethan era, in which he penned his renowned plays:

Famous works of Ben Jonson

The Silent Lady (1609)
Volpone (1606)
The Alchemist (1610)
Bartholomew Fair (1631)
Every Man in His Humour (1598)
The Devil is an Ass
The Staple of News
Every Man out of His Humour
The Poetaster
A Tale of a Tub

Francis Bacon:

He was a Shakespeare's Time statesman and philosopher, best known for his advancement of the scientific process and worldly wisdom. He also continued writing in the Jacobean age.

All the Essays of the Francis Bacon

Of Prophecies
Of Ambition
Of Masques and Triumphs
Of Nature in Men
Of Custom and Education
Of Fortune
Of Usury
Of Youth and Age
Of Beauty
Of Great Place
Of Boldness
Of Goodness and Goodness of Nature
Of Nobility
Of Regiment of Health
Of Suspicion
Of Discourse
Of Plantations
Of Riches
Of Truth
Of Death
Of Unity in Religion
Of Revenge
Of Adversity
Of Simulation and Dissimulation
Of Parents and Children
Of Marriage and Single Life
Of Envy
Of Love
Of Deformity
Of Building
Of Gardens
Of Negotiating
Of Followers and Friends
Of Suitors
Of Studies
Of Seditions and Troubles
Of Atheism
Of Superstition
Of Travel
Of Empire
Of Counsels
Of Delays
Of Cunning
Of Wisdom for a Man's Self
Of Innovations
Of Dispatch
Of Seeming Wise
Of Friendship
Of Expense
Of the True Greatness of Kingdoms and Estates

John Webster

He was an English Jacobean playwright renowned for his tragedy The White Devil and The Duchess of Malfi, which are generally considered classics of the early 17th-century English theatre.

Cyril Tourneur

He was an English military, ambassador, and playwright who authored The Atheist's Tragedy; and play The Revenger's Tragedy, which is often incorrectly and speciously credited to Thomas Middleton.

John Donne

He was born in London, England. Donne is generally regarded as the finest love lyric in the English language. He is particularly renowned for his religious poetry and treatises and for his sermons, which rate among the finest of the 17th century.

Famous works of John Donne

Holy Sonnets (1633)
No Man Is an Island (1624)
The Flea (1633)
A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning (1633)

Conclusion

Jacobean age was rich for Drama which was still remained the major mode of expression. The dramatists followed traditional principles of theatre. The Elizabethan idealization of love and passion nearly faded away. Poetry has taken a fresh and awesome direction.

Video Lecture: History of Jacobean age in English Literature

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Thursday 12 August 2021

History of Jacobean age in English Literature - Characteristics of Jacobean Literature - Drama of Jacobean - Jacobean age Literature - Major Writers of the Jacobean Age and their Major Works - Famous writers of the Jacobean age

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