The Elizabethan Age and Shakespeare's Worldview
The Elizabethan Age, spanning from 1558 to 1603 during Queen Elizabeth I's reign, was a period of peace and prosperity often referred to as the golden age. This era provided the backdrop for Shakespeare's works and significantly influenced his worldview.
Definition: The Elizabethan Age was a time of cultural flourishing in England, marked by advancements in literature, theater, and exploration.
Shakespeare's plays often reflected the societal norms and beliefs of his time. The Elizabethan worldview was characterized by:
- A rigid hierarchical order that was considered unchangeable
- The importance of obedience to the established system
- A belief that tragedy results from disrupting the hierarchical structure
Example: In "Romeo and Juliet," the tragic ending is partly a result of the lovers defying societal norms and family expectations.
The Elizabethan society was strictly stratified, with social classes determining one's occupation and marriage prospects. Women were expected to obey men, reflecting the patriarchal structure of the time.
Highlight: Shakespeare's portrayal of strong, complex female characters often challenged the gender norms of his era.
An interesting aspect of Elizabethan thought was the Doctrine of the Four Elements, which proposed that human personalities were formed by a combination of earth (melancholy), water (phlegmatic), air (sanguine), and fire (choleric).
Vocabulary: Sanguine refers to a cheerful, optimistic personality, while choleric describes a quick-tempered or irritable disposition.
Shakespeare's works, including his plays and sonnets, were deeply influenced by these societal beliefs and structures. His sonnets, typically addressed to a beloved person and consisting of 14 lines, often explored themes of love, beauty, and the passage of time within the context of Elizabethan society.
