Detailed Notes on Renaissance Drama and Shakespeare

Overview of the Renaissance (16th Century):

• Early years characterized by the Renaissance movement.
• Influences on Renaissance drama from classical works of Greek and Roman origins.
• Importance of universities (e.g., Oxford, Cambridge) in shaping early drama.

Early Playwrights and Acting Companies:

• No professional acting companies or playwrights at the start of the 16th century.
• Early writers were teachers and students, often adapting classical works into English.
• Theater buildings were primarily public (open air) and private (indoor halls).
  • Public theaters were larger and less expensive.
  • Private theaters catered to a wealthier aristocratic audience.
• Types of acting companies:
  • Adult companies and boys' companies.
  • Notably, the Chamberlain's Men, later known as the King’s Men, to which Shakespeare belonged.

Censorship and Regulations:

• Censorship was prominent, especially during Elizabeth I's reign.
• Writers needed to be members of acting companies and sponsored by gentlemen.
• All plays required a license from the official known as the Master of the Revels to be staged.

University Wits (Predecessors of Shakespeare):

• Group of writers who laid the groundwork for Shakespeare's works.
• Graduates of universities, known for being learned and intellectual.
• Key figures included:
• Thomas Kyd:
  • Notable for his tragedy "The Spanish Tragedy" (1587).
  • His works were influenced by Seneca’s violent tragedies, establishing a model for revenge tragedies.
• John Lilly:
  • Famous for pastoral comedies combining classical mythology with English themes.
  • Major works: "Endymion" and "Love's Metamorphosis"; influenced Shakespeare's "As You Like It."
• Robert Greene:
  • Wrote pastoral and romantic comedies; key work: "Friar Bacon and Friar Bungay."
  • Helped transition comedy styles towards more romantic themes.
• Christopher Marlowe:
  • Significant influence on Shakespeare; known for his complex protagonists and tragedies.
  • Key works include "Doctor Faustus," "The Jew of Malta," and "Edward II."

William Shakespeare's Life:

• Born in Stratford Upon Avon (1564); limited formal education.
• Married Anne Hathaway at age 18 and had three children.
• Moved to London and entered theatre as an actor, later becoming a playwright.
• Joined the Lord Chamberlain's Men in 1594, a significant turning point in his career.
• Became a shareholder, which greatly increased his financial success.
• Published works posthumously by friends in "First Folio" after his death in 1616.

Shakespeare's Literary Periods and Major Works:

• Period 1 (Before 1595):
• Focused on adaptations; notable works include "Romeo and Juliet" and "Love's Labour's Lost."
• Period 2 (1595-1600):
• Established himself; wrote "The Merchant of Venice" and "Much Ado About Nothing."
• Period 3 (1600-1608):
• Created major tragedies: "Hamlet," "Macbeth," "Othello."
• Period 4 (After 1608):
• Introduced new dramatic forms; works include "The Tempest" and "The Winter's Tale."

Types of Works and Their Characteristics:

• Comedies:
• Often involve mistaken identity and marriage; feature multiple marriages and happy endings.
• Notable works: "A Midsummer Night's Dream," "As You Like It."
• Tragedies:
• Focus on a single hero with tragic flaws; often lead to multiple deaths.
• Notable works: "Hamlet," "Othello," "Macbeth."
• Histories:
• Incorporate political themes and historical characters; feature battles and plots.
• Notable works: "Henry IV," "Richard II."
• Romances:
• Aimed at conflicts and resolutions between families, often ending happily.
• Notable works: "The Tempest," "Pericles."

Contemporaries of Shakespeare:

• Ben Jonson:
• Comedian known for satirical works; influential style known as "comedy of humors."
• Key works: "Every Man in His Humor," "The Alchemist."
• Thomas Dekker:
• Wrote city comedies reflecting contemporary urban life; notable work: "The Shoemaker's Holiday."
• John Marston:
• Focused on tragedies for boys' companies; known for violent scenes.
• Notable work: "The Malcontent."
• Thomas Heywood:
• Prolific playwright with notable work "A Woman Killed with Kindness."
• Thomas Middleton:
• City comedy writer; key work: "A Chaste Maid in Cheapside."

Successors of Shakespeare (Jacobian Period):

• John Webster:
• Known for tragic plays; significant works include "The Duchess of Malfi."
• John Fletcher:
• Collaborated with other writers; notable for plays like "The Tamer Tamed."
• Philip Massinger:
• Authored significant tragedies; known for "A New Way to Pay Old Debts."
• James Shirley:
• Noted for comedies reflecting aristocratic society; key work: "The Lady of Pleasure."

End of Theatre and Restoration:

• The English Civil War led to theatre closures in 1642 by the Puritan government.
• Theatres reopened in 1660 during the Restoration period, marking a new chapter in English literature.