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REBIRTH and RENEWAL of BRITISH DRAMA
1.BRIEF HISTORY OF RENAISSANCE AND RESTORATION PERIOD
1.1.British drama in Renaissance period
1.2. British drama in Restoration period
References
REBIRTH and RENEWAL of BRITISH DRAMA
Renaissance period in England appeared in 1558 when Queen Elizabeth I came to the throne and continued until the end of Jacobean period. Because the period prioritizes wisdom and human thought, plenty of phenomenons changed and developed. Restoration period, however, occured in 1660, when Charles I was hanged and Charles II succeded the throne, restoring the monarch. Additionally, there occured many changes in British drama. This study intends to analyse not only the brief history of both Renaissance and Restoration but also comparing them through the lens of distinctive British playwrights and plays.
1.BRIEF HISTORY OF RENAISSANCE AND RESTORATION PERIOD
Renaisance, firstly started in Italy in the 15th century and later spread all over the Europe, was one of the most precious periods that ended the darkness of Middle Age people pulled in, and taught people to think intelligently and opened the doors of science, art and philosophy. Thus, it was the period when Europe’s ignorance and reactionism ended. Renaissance in England occured with Elizabeth I coming to the throne also called ‘the Golden Age’. Once Renaissance is mentioned, the power of art and artist comes to the minds. The rejuvenation made in that period not only affected art but also social events, economy, political, religious and cultural thoughts. While people turned their backs to the energy-exploiting and ugly sides of scholastic thought, they began to turn their faces to the rational and positive thoughts of Renaissance. One of the most striking periods in history, Renaissance, after its movements, was announced as the only and the most important guide for rational thoughts. Restoration period, however, started when Charles I was hanged in the period of Civil War of England and English monarchy with the coming of Charles II to England in 1660. Thanks to the Restoration, there is a sudden loss of reputation of Puritan values. Because Charles II likes going to the theatres and all kinds of entertainments, theatres reopen, and Puritans, who are against theatre and other entertainments, also called ‘enemies of theatre’, who banned them, lose their power. It is the first time women appear on the stage as actresses. Also, in Scotland, bishopric is re-established. Therefore, with the coming of these two periods, many differences are made in the area of drama, especially in British drama.
1.1.British drama in Renaissance period
The English Renaissance was a period of tremendious developments in civilization and theatre. Hence, Elizabethan period theatre can be considered not only as the brighest theatre period of English literature but also the world of literature.
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