The Elizabethan Era (1558-1608) marked a golden age in English history under Queen Elizabeth I, characterized by significant advancements in literature, poetry, and drama, as well as a relatively peaceful society. This era saw the flourishing of prominent literary figures, particularly in drama, with the Globe Theatre serving as a central hub for performances. However, challenges such as the Anglo-Spanish War and the queen's illness also impacted the period towards its end.

1. Elizabethan Era
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2. Introduction
Elizabethan Age(1558-1608)
Monarch of Queen Elizabeth I
Golden age in English history
Queen Elizabeth (1558 to 1603)
Production of great poetry & drama
Age of Shakespeare

3. Features
 Age of Humanism
 Nationalism
 An age of material advancement
 Experimentation
 New discoveries
 Printing & Education
 Revival of interest in Greek & Latin literature
 Literary creativity

4. Background
 Elizabethan age is the period btw Gothic
and Renaissance.
 It was an age of many developments.
 Queen Elizabeth l was England best
monarch.
 Many battles for power across Europe
occurred.
 The era was relatively peaceful.
 Battles btw monarchy and parliament had
also ceased.
 England at that time was great place to
live.
 Also called Renaissance of new idea and
thinking.
 Music and English poetry were coming out.
 Literature appreciated both by lower and
upper class.
 At end Elizabethan age also ran into some
problems.
 Spain persisted to start a war with England
btw 1585 and 1604.
 War called The Anglo-Spanish war .
 England economy drained.
 Elizabethan settled the compromise btw
Catholicism and extreme Protestants.
 Queen got ill from smallpox.
 Queen died in
 After queen death Treaty of London was
signed in favor of Spain.

5. Elizabethan Literature
Elizabethan literature refers reign of Queen Elizabeth I
One of the most splendid ages of English literature
Dominant literary form-Drama
Most important Elizabethan prose writers were John Lyly and Thomas
Nashe
Flowering of poetry
• the sonnet
• the Spenserian stanza
• dramatic blank verse
Major literary style lyric poetry
The Authorized Version of the Bible-Translation-Kings James’ Bible
Ben Johnson- Father of English literary criticism

6. University Wits
 Late 16th century
 Educated at the universities (Oxford or Cambridge)
 Prominent members
– Christopher Marlowe
– Robert Greene
– John Lyly
– George Peele
 Significant contribution to Elizabethan literature in various genres

7. Elizabethan Drama
 Drama was the most important literary form in Elizabethan era.
 3 forms of drama
1. The Tragedy
2. History Plays
3. Comedy
Playhouses
Dramas were performed at that time in the playhouses which were of three types:
1. Public Playhouses: for the common people
2. Private Playhouses: for the wealthier people
3. Famous Theatre: Globe Theatre

8. Globe Theatre
Built in 1599 by Cuthbert Burbage.
Shakespeare performed most of his plays there.
Capacity was between 2000-3000 spectators.
It was an open air theatre.
In 1642 the theatre was completely destroyed by fire.

9. Elizabethan Drama themes
1. Anti-Semitism:
Anti-Semitism is hostility and discrimination against Jews.
Christopher Marlowe’s “The Jew of Malta”
William Shakespeare's “The Merchant of Venice”
2. Revenge Tragedy:
The motive revenge became the main counter-motive in dramas,
especially tragedy e.g. In Shakespeare’s Hamlet
3. Super-natural Elements:
Society at that time was highly superstitious with people believing in
super-natural forces.

10. Conclusion
Intellectual thinking
Age of adventure and discovery
Time of;
Peace
prosperity
progress
Flowering of poetry
More wealthy nation
Nest of singing bird