History of English Literature Week 5 Elizabethan Period

History of English Literature Week 5 Elizabethan Period (continued) History of English Literature/YK/2005 -2006 1

Christopher Marlowe Tamburlaine, Faustus, The Jew of Malta and Edward II l Faustus was the most well-known l Faustus Dr Faustus who wants to master any sciences. After mastering Theology, Philosophy, Medics, and Law, he still wanted to master Witchcraft. For the sake of it, he is willing to sell himself to Satans. In return, he will be awarded with absolute reign, unlimited enjoyment & knowledge. This drama about Faustus’ life for 24 years. By the end of the time, he just realizes that the satans drag him to the Hell. l Faustus romantic tragedy three unities: place, time & act are neglected. Written in blank verse. l History of English Literature/YK/2005 -2006 2

William Shakespeare (1564 – 1616) Born in Stratford-on-Avon, England. Obtained education until Senior High School. Then he left for London. He joined a group of drama. Between 1590 – 1613 he wrote not less than 34 dramas, but none of them was ever published during his life. All of them were published a few years (1623) after his death. l First Folio the first published l Besides drama, he also wrote two long poems and about 150 sonets l History of English Literature/YK/2005 -2006 3

Period of Shakespeare’s career: l l l l Experimental or early period (1588 – 1596) Works: Love’s Labour’s Lost, Two Gentlement of Verona, Comedy of Errors, Romeo & Juliet, Richard III, King John Rapid-growth period (1596 – 1602) Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Merchant of Venice, Henry IV, The Merry Wives of Windsor, As You Like It, Twelfth Night Gloomy or depression period (1602 – 1608) Hamlet, Othelo, Macbeth, King Lear, Julius Caesar Silence Period (1608 – 1613) It signified the productive period. Winter’s Tale and Tempest History of English Literature/YK/2005 -2006 4

Seen from the stories l Historical Drama: Richard III, Henry IV l Half-historical drama or legend drama: Macbeth, King Lear l Fictive drama: Romeo and Juliet, The Merchant of Venice ¡ Seen from the kind of drama: l Tragedy l Comedy l History of English Literature/YK/2005 -2006 5