Q. What are the key characteristics of Elizabethan drama? How did it evolve during the Renaissance period?
Elizabethan drama refers to the plays written and performed during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I (1558-1603). This period is often considered the golden age of English drama due to the significant development of theater and the emergence of great playwrights like William Shakespeare, Christopher Marlowe, and Ben Jonson.
Origins of Elizabethan Drama
The roots of Elizabethan drama lie in the medieval plays of England, which were largely religious. During the Middle Ages, mystery and morality plays were common, with performances based on biblical stories and moral lessons.
As England moved toward the Renaissance, these religious themes started to give way to more secular topics. The classical influences of Greek and Roman theater also began to shape English drama, introducing new ideas about structure, character, and storytelling.
The Growth of Theaters
One of the most important developments of the Elizabethan era was the growth of permanent theaters. Before this time, plays were often performed in inns, marketplaces, or temporary stages set up by traveling actors.
However, in 1576, the first permanent playhouse in London, called “The Theatre,” was built by actor-manager James Burbage. Soon after, other playhouses like the Curtain, the Rose, and the famous Globe Theater were established.
These theaters provided a dedicated space for performances, allowing playwrights to experiment with their work. The round, open-air design of many Elizabethan theaters, such as the Globe, created an atmosphere for actors and audiences alike.
Plays were performed during the day, with natural lighting, and the actors had to project their voices loudly to reach the audience, which could include both commoners and nobility.
Characteristics of Elizabethan Drama
Elizabethan drama, prevalent during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I in England (1558–1603), marked a golden age in English theatre. Here are some of its main characteristics:
- Complex Plot
- Round Characters
- Diverse Themes
- The Mix of Verse and Prose
- Soliloquies
- Comic Relief
- Dramatic Irony
- Sets and Costumes
- Supernatural Elements
1- Complex Plot
The complex plot is a hallmark of Elizabethan drama. It engages audiences with twists and turns that capture their attention.
For instance, in Shakespeare’s “Othello.” the play begins as a love story between Othello, a Moorish general, and Desdemona, his Venetian bride.
However, things quickly get more complicated as jealousy, betrayal, and trickery take over the story. Iago, Othello’s right-hand man, is behind all of it.
“Hamlet” is famous for its complicated story. The main plot is about Prince Hamlet seeking revenge against his uncle Claudius, who killed Hamlet’s father. Alongside this, there are other smaller stories, like Hamlet’s relationship with Ophelia and the political issues in Denmark.
2- Round Characters
One of the most striking features of Elizabethan drama is the complexity of its characters. They are often not simply good or bad but exist in shades of gray.
For example, in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth,” the titular character, Macbeth, begins as a hero. However, his intense desire for power and the influence of others make him do bad things like betraying and killing. Even though he does terrible things, Macbeth feels guilty and troubled, making him wicked and pitiable.
Similarly, in “Hamlet,” the protagonist is intellectual yet emotional, thoughtful yet impulsive. Hamlet’s complex nature stands out when he speaks aloud in his famous soliloquies.
To be or not to be.
These internal debates make him one of literature’s most psychologically complex characters.
In “Doctor Faustus,” the main character, Faustus, is very well-developed. He starts as a brilliant scholar who wants to learn more than traditional knowledge allows.
He makes a deal with the devil to gain magical powers, but as the play goes on, he becomes torn between enjoying his power and fearing the punishment that will come later.
Faustus is not a simple character; he shows different emotions like ambition, fear, and regret. This makes him relatable and interesting to the audience, who can see him as a real person with flaws.
3- Diverse Themes
Elizabethan drama is gripping because it discusses many topics related to human life and experiences.
For example, Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” plunges into the depths of romantic love and family rivalry. It tackles whether love can transcend societal constraints and familial disputes.
On the other hand, “Julius Caesar” delves into political intrigue with themes of power, betrayal, and the complexities of governance.
Another instance is Christopher Marlowe’s “Doctor Faustus,” which delves into the conflict between intellect and morality. It questions the limits of human knowledge and the consequences of unchecked ambition.
Volpone deals with many different ideas, such as greed, deception, and the love of money. The play is about Volpone, a wealthy man who tricks others into giving him gifts by pretending to be on his deathbed.
Through this story, Jonson shows how greed can make people act foolishly and harm others. The themes in Volpone make the audience think about the consequences of immoral behavior, both for the characters in the play and in real life.
Ben Jonson’s “Volpone” scrutinizes human greed and gullibility, using satire to critique societal values.
4- The Mix of Verse and Prose
In Elizabethan plays, the mix of poetic and everyday language makes the stories more lively and helps to show the feelings or backgrounds of the characters.
For instance, in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet,” most of the play is in iambic pentameter, a poetic form that gives the dialogue a rhythmic, elevated feel.
However, the text often shifts into prose when Hamlet feigns madness or speaks to characters of lower social standing, like the Gravediggers. This change highlights Hamlet’s alleged “madness” and indicates a shift in the mood.
In “Much Ado About Nothing,” the noble characters usually talk poetically, using rhyming pairs of lines. On the other hand, funny characters like Dogberry use everyday speech.
The verse emphasizes the emotional significance of the conversation. Simultaneously, the everyday language actively establishes a more direct or casual tone.
Marlowe’s “Doctor Faustus” also employs verse, particularly in Faustus’ grand soliloquies, where he debates the morality of his choices and laments his impending damnation.
5- Soliloquies
Soliloquies are a defining feature of Elizabethan drama, windows into a character’s mind. They allow the audience to engage directly with a character’s thoughts, emotions, and motivations.
One of the most famous soliloquies is Hamlet’s “To be, or not to be,” where the troubled prince explores life and death. This soliloquy not only provides insight into Hamlet’s mental turmoil but also dives into existential questions that are universally relatable.
In “Macbeth,” the “Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow” soliloquy is another prime example. Here, Macbeth reflects on the futility and meaninglessness of life after learning about the death of his wife.
Through this speech, the audience gains a clearer understanding of Macbeth’s descent into despair. Another classic soliloquy in “Othello” is where Iago reveals his scheming nature with the line, “I hate the Moor.”
This soliloquy helps lay bare the villain’s motivations and sets the stage for the tragic events.
Soliloquies are powerful tools in Elizabethan drama. It reveals the characters’ internal landscapes.
6- Comic Relief
Comic relief in Elizabethan drama lightens the mood, especially in tragedies. It offers the audience a momentary escape from the tension or seriousness of the main plot. Shakespeare often used this technique masterfully.
For example, in “Macbeth,” the drunken Porter comes on stage just after the terrible killing of King Duncan. It provides a darkly funny scene that briefly lightens the mood. The Porter’s bumbling antics and wordplay contrast sharply with the grim events.
In “Romeo and Juliet,” the character of Mercutio brings levity and wit to a story primarily focused on tragic love. His famous “Queen Mab” speech, full of fanciful imagery, injects a playful, fantastical element into the narrative.
Similarly, in “Hamlet,” the Gravediggers provide comic relief with puns and banter, even as they dig Ophelia’s grave. Their appearance offsets the tragic undertones and gives audiences a moment to breathe.
7- Dramatic Irony
Dramatic irony is a vital element in Elizabethan drama. It creates tension by allowing the audience to know certain information while keeping it concealed from some characters.
One of the most famous examples is in “Romeo and Juliet,” where the audience knows that Juliet has taken a potion to appear dead, while Romeo does not.
His lack of this crucial information leads to the tragic ending, heightening the tension and tragedy for the viewer.
In “Othello,” dramatic irony runs rampant as Iago schemes against Othello. The audience is fully aware of Iago’s deceitful plans, making Othello’s trust in him all the more heartbreaking.
Another instance occurs in “Twelfth Night,” where Viola disguises herself as a man named Cesario. The audience knows her true identity, but other characters do not.
8- Sets and Costumes
Elizabethan drama often relied on minimal sets, which did not mean the productions were less captivating. The stage typically had little more than basic props. It makes the words and actions the main focus of the play.
For instance, the Globe Theatre, where many of Shakespeare’s plays were performed, had a very simplistic stage design. The focus was on the actors and the language, not elaborate sets or special effects.
However, what the stage lacked in decor, the productions often made up for in costumes. In Elizabethan drama, the elaborate and ornate costumes play a crucial role.
They not only help to establish the mood of the scene but also assist in illustrating the setting and delineating the characters. It gives the audience visual cues to understand the narrative more vividly.
In “Henry IV,” for example, the lavish outfits of the royal characters contrasted sharply with the more ragged clothing of Falstaff and his cronies. It visually emphasized the social hierarchy and setting.
9- Supernatural Elements
In Elizabethan drama, supernatural elements were a big hit. This trend connected with the audience’s interest in exploring the mysterious and unknown aspects of that period.
In Shakespeare’s “Macbeth,” the three witches play a pivotal role in the plot, foretelling Macbeth’s ascent to the throne and his eventual downfall.
Their eerie chants (“Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn and caldron bubble”) create an atmosphere of dark magic and impending doom.
In “Hamlet,” the ghost of Hamlet’s father appears to set the play’s events in motion. His presence raises questions about the afterlife and catalyzes Hamlet’s existential crisis.
Even in comedies like “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” supernatural beings like Oberon, Titania, and Puck interact with the human characters. It causes mischief and manipulates love through magical means.
In conclusion, Elizabethan drama blends complex characters, diverse themes, and inventive storytelling techniques. Whether through dramatic irony, supernatural elements, or elaborate costumes, these plays captivate audiences.
