Jacobean Drama

Content
Introduction
King James I
What Influenced Jacobean Drama?
Masques
Notable Playwrights
The Duchess of Malf
Conclusions
References

Introduction
This period is called Jacobean (also known as

Stuart) after Jacobus, the Latin translation of

James;
Elizabethan and Jacobean drama are often
combined together and referred to as
Renaissance Drama.

King James I
Succeeded the

lastTudormonarch of
England and
Ireland,Elizabeth I;
reigned from 1603 to
1625;
appointed forty-seven
learned men to produce
the Authorized Version of
the Bible.

What Influenced Jacobean Drama?

Changing apetites of the audience;
social and philosophical transition;
astronomical and scientific discoveries;
Senekas (4 B.C. 65 A.D.) works.

Masques (1)
Aform of courtly entertainment containing

music, dancing, singing and acting out a

story;
originated in Italy;
took place on festive occasions at the royal
court.

Masques (2)

Notable Playwrights (1)

Thomas Dekker: The Shoemakers Holiday

(1600);
Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher: Philaster
(1609), The Scornful Lady (1613);
Ben Jonson: Volpone or The Foxe (1605), The
Alchemist (1610);
Thomas Middleton: Changeling (1622), Women
Beware Women (1657);
Cyril Tourneur: The Revengers Tragedy (1607),
The Atheists Tragedy (1611);
John Webster: The White Devil (1612), The
Duchess of Malf (1612 1613).

Notable Playwrights (2)

John Webster (1580

1634)

The Duchess of Malf

Portrayal of a corrupt and

brutal life of the Italian

nobility;
the Duchess a truly
tragic female protagonist.

Conclusions
Drama shifted towards more realistic and dark

themes;
no Jacobean playwright managed to surpass
Shakespeare;
the Jacobean era saw a major decline in
theatre.

References
Burgess, A., English Literature, (1996). Essex: Longman

Publishing Group, 42, 86 87.

Jacobean Drama:
http://literarism.blogspot.lt/2011/02/jacobean-drama.html
Jacobean Era:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnMQOEcRv-c
Renaissance Drama:
http://www.baruch.cuny.edu/library/alumni/online_exhibits/
digital/2000/c_n_c/c_05_renaissance/renaissance_drama.htm
Shakespeares Masque Plays:
http://nosweatshakespeare.com/shakespeares-plays/play-ty
pes/masque-plays/
The Duchess of Malf Introduction:
http://www.shmoop.com/the-duchess-of-malfi/
The Revenger's Tragedy byThomas Middleton,Cyril
Tourneur:
http://www.gradesaver.com/the-revengers-tragedy/study-gu

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attention!