The Elizabethan era was the period of Queen Elizabeth I's reign (1558-1603) and is known as the golden age in English history. During this time, England had a well-organized and effective government, and trans-Atlantic trade caused the country to expand economically. The Elizabethan era led to the expansion of literature, music, theatre, architecture, science, and technology.
Literature:
During the Elizabethan era, there was a flourishing of literature, particularly in drama. The new drama was not like the old mystery and miracle plays (reenactments of stories from the Bible). William Shakespeare emerged as one of the most successful poets and playwrights of the time. Some of his greatest plays were thought to be Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, and many others. Shakespeare also popularized the English sonnet, which had been introduced by Thomas Wyatt in the early 16th century. Another well-known poet of the Elizabethan era was Christopher Marlowe, who influenced Shakespeare. Marlowe's plays featured blank verse, which is poetry that does not rhyme.
Music:
During the Elizabethan era, music shifted from sacred to secular music, and instruments became more commonly used. The Church of England and middle-class families began to employ professional musicians. The rise of music during this time was driven by Queen Elizabeth's love of music and dancing, and the interests of the queen were supposed to be adopted by her people. All noblemen were expected to be good lute-players, and all young men were supposed to be able to be able to participate in either vocal or instrumental groups. Traveling musicians were popular at Court, in churches, at houses, and at local festivals. William Byrd, John Dowland, Thomas Campion, and Robert Johnson were a few of the most important composers. These composers performed in two main styles of music, madrigal and ayre music. Folk songs and ballads were popular with people.
Theatre:
William Shakespeare, Christopher Marlowe, and many other playwrights were famous for their contributions to theatre of the time by writing plays that were very different from England's past styles of theatre. The culture of the Elizabethan era was expressed in theatre through historical topics, comedies, and tragedies. Plays were originally performed in town squares. Later, actors used the courtyards of taverns and inns. Eventually, the first theatres were constructed, first as open-air amphitheatres, then as indoor theatres. During the Elizabethan era, the drama was a unified place in terms of social divisions. The honorable Court watched the same plays as commoners did in public theatres.
Architecture:
Renaissance architecture arrived in England during the Elizabethan era. During this time, English houses adopted the idea of having a gallery behind the reception room. The houses often were large, tall, and square with asymmetrical towers. Between 1607 and 1611, Robert Cecil built the Hatfield House, which illustrates the transition from the previous era's style to the styles of the Elizabethan era. The building had turreted wings and mullioned windows, which were most often used during the Elizabethan era. Mullioned windows are windows that have a vertical division between the window for decoration purposes.
Science and Technology:
Advancements in science and technology were also made during this time. England's most notable naturalist was Edward Wotton, who collected data on plants and animals and caused an increasing interest about nature and botany. In 1564, Guilliam Boonen came from the Netherlands as the first coach-builder for Queen Elizabeth. These spring-suspension coaches were used to replace the old litters and carts as the new form of transportation. Sir Francis Drake circumnavigated the globe between 1577 and 1581, and Martin Frobisher explored the Arctic. William Gilbert published his study of magnetism, De Magnete, in 1600. In the book, he discussed electricity and magnetism. He was responsible for creating the word "electricity."
The Elizabethan era greatly influenced the ideas of people of the time period. The modernized types of literature appealed to the people and changed their ways of thinking. The poets and playwrights, such as William Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe, wrote poems and plays that were very popular and successful. New types of music and ways of playing music emerged because of the Queen's love of music and dancing. The new styles of architecture transformed buildings and gave the cities a new appearance. The spring-suspension coaches changed the way people traveled from place to place, and citizens gained a greater understanding of scientific concepts such as botany and magnetism.
Literature:
During the Elizabethan era, there was a flourishing of literature, particularly in drama. The new drama was not like the old mystery and miracle plays (reenactments of stories from the Bible). William Shakespeare emerged as one of the most successful poets and playwrights of the time. Some of his greatest plays were thought to be Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, and many others. Shakespeare also popularized the English sonnet, which had been introduced by Thomas Wyatt in the early 16th century. Another well-known poet of the Elizabethan era was Christopher Marlowe, who influenced Shakespeare. Marlowe's plays featured blank verse, which is poetry that does not rhyme.
Music:
During the Elizabethan era, music shifted from sacred to secular music, and instruments became more commonly used. The Church of England and middle-class families began to employ professional musicians. The rise of music during this time was driven by Queen Elizabeth's love of music and dancing, and the interests of the queen were supposed to be adopted by her people. All noblemen were expected to be good lute-players, and all young men were supposed to be able to be able to participate in either vocal or instrumental groups. Traveling musicians were popular at Court, in churches, at houses, and at local festivals. William Byrd, John Dowland, Thomas Campion, and Robert Johnson were a few of the most important composers. These composers performed in two main styles of music, madrigal and ayre music. Folk songs and ballads were popular with people.
Theatre:
William Shakespeare, Christopher Marlowe, and many other playwrights were famous for their contributions to theatre of the time by writing plays that were very different from England's past styles of theatre. The culture of the Elizabethan era was expressed in theatre through historical topics, comedies, and tragedies. Plays were originally performed in town squares. Later, actors used the courtyards of taverns and inns. Eventually, the first theatres were constructed, first as open-air amphitheatres, then as indoor theatres. During the Elizabethan era, the drama was a unified place in terms of social divisions. The honorable Court watched the same plays as commoners did in public theatres.
Architecture:
Renaissance architecture arrived in England during the Elizabethan era. During this time, English houses adopted the idea of having a gallery behind the reception room. The houses often were large, tall, and square with asymmetrical towers. Between 1607 and 1611, Robert Cecil built the Hatfield House, which illustrates the transition from the previous era's style to the styles of the Elizabethan era. The building had turreted wings and mullioned windows, which were most often used during the Elizabethan era. Mullioned windows are windows that have a vertical division between the window for decoration purposes.
Science and Technology:
Advancements in science and technology were also made during this time. England's most notable naturalist was Edward Wotton, who collected data on plants and animals and caused an increasing interest about nature and botany. In 1564, Guilliam Boonen came from the Netherlands as the first coach-builder for Queen Elizabeth. These spring-suspension coaches were used to replace the old litters and carts as the new form of transportation. Sir Francis Drake circumnavigated the globe between 1577 and 1581, and Martin Frobisher explored the Arctic. William Gilbert published his study of magnetism, De Magnete, in 1600. In the book, he discussed electricity and magnetism. He was responsible for creating the word "electricity."
The Elizabethan era greatly influenced the ideas of people of the time period. The modernized types of literature appealed to the people and changed their ways of thinking. The poets and playwrights, such as William Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe, wrote poems and plays that were very popular and successful. New types of music and ways of playing music emerged because of the Queen's love of music and dancing. The new styles of architecture transformed buildings and gave the cities a new appearance. The spring-suspension coaches changed the way people traveled from place to place, and citizens gained a greater understanding of scientific concepts such as botany and magnetism.
Sources Cited:
"Blank Verse." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 01 Jan. 2014. Web. 07 Jan. 2014. "Christopher Marlowe." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 01 July 2014. Web. 07 Jan. 2014.
"Elizabethan Architecture." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 31 Dec. 2013. Web. 05 Jan. 2014.
"Elizabethan Era." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 26 Dec. 2013. Web. 05 Jan. 2014.
"Elizabethan Literature." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 29 Nov. 2013. Web. 07 Jan. 2014.
"Elizabethan Music." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 01 Jan. 2014. Web. 07 Jan. 2014.
"English Renaissance Theatre." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 13 Dec. 2013. Web. 05 Jan. 2014.
"Mullioned." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 26 Feb. 2013. Web. 07 Jan. 2014.
Taylor, Christopher W. "Elizabethan Science." Elizabethan Science. Tennessee State University, n.d. Web. 05 Jan. 2014.