This document provides an overview of drama and major dramatists from the Renaissance period in England. It discusses the religious, social, and intellectual climate during the Age of Elizabeth from 1500-1620. Religiously, the kingdom was divided between Catholics and Protestants. Socially, trade was increasing and literary activity was developing. Intellectually, it was an age of dreams and adventure. The origins and types of religious drama are explained, including miracle plays, mystery plays, and morality plays. Key developments in drama are noted, such as it becoming more representative of human life. Important plays from this period include the first comedies and tragedies. Eleven major dramatists of the Elizabethan era are listed, including William

1. Hiteshbhai C. Parmar
Roll No. 13
Semester – M.A. Sem. 1
Year 2013 - 14
Topic:-
The origin and Development of
Drama and The Major Dramatist
of The Renaissance Literature
Submitted to: Dr. Dilipsinh Barad
Smt. S.B. Gardi Department of English
M.K.Bhavnagar University

2. The Age of Elizabeth (1500 - 1620)
(Age of Shakespeare)
(1) Religious Toleration
Kingdom Divided into two
parts,
North – catholic,
Southern – Protestant,
Defeat of Spanish Armada Reformation
(2) Social Contentment
Increasing trade, Rules and
Taxes, Employment to Labor,
Developed Literary activity

3. The Age of Elizabeth (1500 - 1620)
(Age of Shakespeare)
(3) Enthusiasm
It is age of Dream, adventure.
Mind search Farther than Eyes
(4) Drama
The age of Elizabeth was a time
of Intellectual Liberty

4. The Religious Theme
(1) Miracle Plays
- A religious Play, Deals with the life of saint and Miracle performed by
them. Origin in Bible in the lives of saint.
(2) Mystery Plays
- Deals with the theme of Bible, It represent the life of Christ or the Story
from the old Statements.

5. The Religious Theme
(3) Morality Plays
- Are allegorical plays, Presents Life, Death, Goodness, Love, Greed,
Repentance and other emotion.
(4) Interlude Plays
- Generally short entertainment play,

6. Theatre of The Age of Elizabeth

7. The Artistic Period of the Drama
-
Final stage of Development of Drama
It is different from The Mystery and Miracle plays. Because it represent
human life as it is.
-
First Comedy play – RALPH ROYSTER DOYSTER by Nicholas Udall – 1550
-
First Tragedy play – GORBODUC - by Thomas Sackville and Thomas Norton
– Written in 1561 , performed on stage in 1562

8. The Major Dramatist of Elizabethan Age
(1) William Shakespeare
- King John
- Romeo and Juliet
- merchant of Venice
- As u like it
-Julius Caesar
-Hamlet, Othello, Macbeth.
(2) Ben Jonson
- The alchemist
- The silent women
- The masque of Beauty
(3) Christopher Marlowe
- Tamburlaine
- Edward II
- Doctor Faustus,
-The Jew of Malta
(4)John Lyly
- Alexander
- Sapho and Phao
- The man on the moon

9. The Major Dramatist of Elizabethan Age
(5) George Peele
- Edward 1
- The Old Wives
- The love of king David
- Arraignment of Paris
(6) Robert Green
- The History of Orlando Frisco
- The History of James IV
(7) Thomas Lodge
- The wound of civil war
(8) Thomas Nashe
- The unfortunate traveler
(9) Thomas Kyd
- Spanish Tragedy
- Jeronimo
- Apology for actor

10. The Major Dramatist of Elizabethan Age
(10) John Webster
- The white Devil
- The Dunchees of Malfi
- The Devil’s law case
(11) Francis Beaumont
- A king and no king
- The night of Burning Pestle
(12) John Fletcher
- Philaster
- The Maids Tragedy