Jacobean Drama
1603-1625 James I (His name is Jacobus in Latin that is what gives this era “Jacobean”
name.)
Ben Jonson (1572-1637)
He actually wrote in Queen Elizabeth’s Era and James I’s Era
But because his success came in this Era, he’s not associated with Queen Elizabeth’s Era
He is very wordy. He writes tragedy and comedy.
He writes attacking, criticizing other playwrights and political figures.
Four Humours (Comedy of Humours: Jonson is best known for this type of humor he
uses.)
1. Blood -sanguine (optimistic-passionate)
2. Phlegm (unemotional)
3. black bile (melancholic)
4. yellow bile (angry choleric)
Bile: safra, Phlegm: balgam
The theory of four humours states that the body is composed of these 4 elements. If one has
too much or too little of one of these it becomes a problem.
Jonson built his comedy on these elements. He creates types/stock characters with these.
Ben Jonson’s Comedy
More structured and more elegant compared to Shakespeare.
Psychology of characters is less complex compared to Shakespeare’s
Morality/Moral lesson of his comedy is very clear. His characters are more stereotypical.
Women do not matter at all as opposed to importance of woman in Shakespeare’s comedy.
Not optimistic or as bright as Shakespeare’s comedy.
Jacobean Drama
Increasing cynicism
Tragicomedies
They liked thrill, excitement but characters were not complicated.
They had a lot of technical advancement
Webster, Beaumont,
John Fletcher (Most successful, becomes kind of a successor of Shakespeare, worked in
King’s Man)
About 250 dramatists – 2000 plays – 500 of them survive
A lot of collaboration occurred so it’s not easy to decide who write these plays
Critics for and against theatre. “Is theatre moral or not?”
There was a great assault on Theatre, they wrote a lot of text saying “Theatre is a devil’s
doing”
Violence
Playwrights were curious about the potential of violence in human. “The Nature of Evil”
“What is the nature of evil in humankind?”
The Dutchess of Malfi
The Changeling - Thomas Middleton and William Rowley (1622)
It’s about criticism beyond the violence itself. Questioning society’s moral correction.
Court Masques
It takes place in the court(palace). They are like plays but very little dialogue is going on.
The visual is more important.
Allegorical story – person begin honored (Mythological personage or event)
Dialogue – very rarely
Symbolism – scenery, costumes, dance
Professional actors were there but nobles also take part as actors in allegorical costumes
(Women also take part in these)
Music, dancing, singing, acting
Renowned architects (Settings is very important, painters were paid to paint for the settings)
Most action set in Music
Women
Acted in court or in the houses of nobility (They act ONLY in courts or in noble person’s
house not in public)
Encouraged them to write comedies
Elizabeth Carty
Viscountess Falkland
Lady Mary Worth
Popularity of These Performances
Henry VIII – Popular
Elizabeth I – Infrequent (She likes going out public theatres that’s the reason)
James I – Staged annually
Charles I – Twice a year
Who wrote these plays?
Many writers but one of the most important is…
BEN JONSON
Partner: Inigo Jones. He trained and educated in Italy (They were far advanced compared to
England) > First important English scene designer, genius of renaissance set design.
Later on, they’ll split up. Jonson believes words are more important as opposed to Jones’s
believe in visuals being more important.
Money
These performances were extremely expensive settings
Demonstration of kingly magnanimity
Ex: James I – spend 4000 pounds for a single production. More than all the performances of
plays given by professional companies at court during his entire reign.
Charles I
Like his father he’s not good with the Parliament
Wanted to rule as absolute monarch
1629-1640 ruled without parliament
CIVIL WAR
1642
Charles I defeated.
Due to rekindled religious opposition in civil war theatres were closed.
Theatrical Activity between 1642-1660(Until Restoration Period)
They demolished the theatres.
Performers bribed the officials to ignore to violation. Illegal performances performed.
