This essay intends to provide a brief history of both Renaissance and Restoration and also compare them through the lens of distinctive British playwrights and plays.
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.
Table of Contents
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
Research Objectives and Themes
This study aims to provide an analytical overview of the historical progression of British drama during the Renaissance and Restoration periods, specifically examining the evolution of theatrical forms, societal influences, and the contributions of prominent playwrights.
- Historical context of the Renaissance and Restoration eras in England.
- Development of theatrical norms and the role of playwrights like Shakespeare and Marlowe.
- The influence of political and religious shifts, particularly Puritanism, on the theatre.
- Transformation of acting conventions and the emergence of female performers.
- Comparative analysis of dramatic styles, including the comedy of manners and heroic drama.
Excerpt from the Book
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.
Summary of Chapters
REBIRTH and RENEWAL of BRITISH DRAMA: An introduction to the study outlining the transitions between the Renaissance and Restoration periods and the focus on key theatrical developments.
1.BRIEF HISTORY OF RENAISSANCE AND RESTORATION PERIOD: Provides a historical backdrop for both eras, highlighting the shift from scholastic thought to rationalism and the impact of the monarchy on theatrical freedom.
1.1.British drama in Renaissance period: Details the evolution of Elizabethan theatre, the rise of influential playwrights, and the cultural acceptance of drama as an educational and social tool.
1.2. British drama in Restoration period: Discusses the reopening of theatres after the Puritan interregnum and the emergence of specific genres like the comedy of manners and heroic drama.
Keywords
Renaissance, Restoration, British Drama, Shakespeare, Marlowe, Elizabethan Period, Puritanism, Comedy of Manners, Heroic Drama, Theatre, Playwrights, The Three Unities, Charles II, Performance, English Literature.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this work?
The work focuses on the evolution of British drama during two distinct historical eras: the Renaissance and the Restoration.
What are the central themes covered in the text?
Central themes include the impact of political change on artistic expression, the shift in moral and social values regarding theatre, and the stylistic evolution of dramatic writing.
What is the main research objective?
The objective is to analyze the historical development of both periods and compare them through the lens of representative playwrights and their major works.
Which scientific or historical approach is utilized?
The study employs a historical and literary analysis approach to trace the changes in drama alongside the socio-political context of England.
What content is explored in the main body?
The main body examines the transition from Renaissance theatre, characterized by Elizabethan developments, to the post-Civil War Restoration theatre.
Which keywords characterize this document?
Key terms include Renaissance, Restoration, British Drama, Shakespeare, Marlowe, Comedy of Manners, and The Three Unities.
How did the Puritan era influence the trajectory of British theatre?
The Puritans viewed theatres as immoral, leading to their closure for eighteen years between 1642 and 1660, which caused a significant decline and disruption in the field of drama.
What significant change regarding actors occurred during the Restoration?
The Restoration period saw the first professional appearance of women on stage as actresses, a practice previously banned and considered shameful.
What is the "comedy of manners" as described in the text?
It is a theatrical genre that emerged during the Restoration, aimed at satirizing the fashions, social norms, and behaviors of the modern society of that time.
- Quote paper
- Öykü Özat (Author), 2022, British Drama. Rebirth and Renewal in Restoration Period from 1642, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1188637
