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Age Of Shakespeare ( Drama ) Flashcards

1
Q

The Elizabethen romantic drama.

The quarter-century following Gorboduc was a period of great confusion in the English drama. WHY?

A

On one hand were scholars who wanted to adapt Classic or Senecan play of which Sackville and Nortons tragedy( Gorboduc) is an example. Humanists like Sidney also believed in classic models.

On the other hand were those who catered to the miscellaneous public who cared little for the finer details of art.
They made a lot of experiments, all of them very crude and different, evolved from the older English stage.

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2
Q

What triumphed in drama the national or classical taste?

A

National

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3
Q

Just before Shakespeare began his playwright career, what form of drama was established

A

Romantic drama

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4
Q

How was the romantic drama established?

A

Work of Shakespeare’s close predecessors , a group of University men who has been trained about classical drama, BUT while profiting from their lessons also carried forward the tradition of the popular stage instead.

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5
Q

Classical drama three unities(1) It adhered rigorously to unity of subject and tone.
So what happened?

A

Spheres of tragedy and comedy were entirely seperate.

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6
Q

Classical drama three unities (2) There was little or no dramatic action. Meaning?

A

Incidents of the plot took place off stage and are reported to audience through dialogue and narrative

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7
Q

Classical drama 3 unities (3) The three unities of time, place and action controlled the construction. Meaning? Give 3 implications

A

a) entire story of play is in a single day
b) in a single scene
c) single story without minor subplots

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8
Q

From where were the 3 unities derived?

A

From Attic writers of tragedy and teachings of Greek critic Aristotle ; coming into modern drama through plays of Latin Seneca

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9
Q

Shakespearean/ romantic drama principles are opposed to classical principles. What are the principles?

A

(1)has variety in theme, blending tragedy and comedy

(2) Is essentially a drama of action, with everything happening on stage

(3) The three unities are flouted. A) story extends over long periods of time B) Changing scene places often C) Employing subplots connected to main subject

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10
Q

Shakespeares predecessors.

They paved his way. They are commonly known as?

A

University Wits

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11
Q

Name the 7 University Wits

A

1) John Lyly
2) Thomas Kyd
3) George Peele
4) Thomas Lodge
5) Thomas Nash
6) Robert Greene
7) Christopher Marlowe

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12
Q

Who was the University wit who didn’t actually study at university but writes in the same style?

A

Thomas Kyd

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13
Q

Which of the university wits has special place in literary history and the influence they had on Shakespeare?

A

Lyly and Marlowe

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14
Q

Lyly wrote how many comedies ?

A

8

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15
Q

Which are Lylys best comedies? All written for performance at court.

A

Campaspe, Endymion, Gallathea

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16
Q

Interest in Lylys comedies does not depend on plot but? At a time when the public stage ran into coarse humours, Lyly gave comedy an intellectual tone.

A

Wit, ingenuity and grace of dialogue

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17
Q

Lylys skill in _ anticipated Shakespeare.

A

Repartee, puns, conceits

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18
Q

Which of Shakespeare’s early comedies owe much to Lyly? How?

A

Loves Labours Lost
Midsummer Night’s Dream
- both combine a courtly main plot with episodes of rustic and clownish fooling.

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19
Q

Give some background of Marlowes life and personality.

A

A man of fiery imagination who lived a wild Bohemian life and killed in a drunken brawl while young.

He was more of a lyric poet than a dramatist.

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20
Q

Despite the extravagance by which these plays of Marlowes are frequently marred, they give him a pre-eminent place among Shakespearen playwrights. Name the plays

A

Tamburlaine the Great, Dr Faustus, The Jew Of Malta, Edward II

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21
Q

What did Marlowe achieve or innovate in his plays?

A

He fixed the type of tragedy and chronicle play for his successors.

He introduced blank verse ( before confined to classical plays and private plays) into public stage and romantic drama.

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22
Q

What is the evidence that Shakespeare was profoundly influenced by Marlowe?

A

His early blank verse is fashioned on Marlowes. His ( Venus and Adonis) is partly inspired by ( Hero and Leander).

His ( Richard 2) and (Richard 3) are based on model of chronicle play provided in ( Edward 2).

Even in ( The Merchant of Venice) there are details enough to show he wrote with ( The Jew of Malta ) in mind.

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23
Q

Shakespeare’s life.

Born when and where?

A

23 April 1564 at Stratford on Avon, Warwickshire

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24
Q

Who was Shakespeares father?

A

Son of a prosperous tradesman who later became Mayor

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25
Talk about Shakespeare's few years at school.
Like other Stratford boys, he went to the local Grammar school and was taught Latin and arithmetic
26
What happened when Shakespeares family faces financial troubles?
When he was 14 he was taken from school to help the family earn money
27
When he was 19 Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway, a woman who was senior to him and whose father was a yeoman. How was their marriage? Who were his children?
Hasty and unhappy. Three children Susannah, Judith and Hamnet were born to him.
28
What is the story about Shakespeares reason to come to London in 1587?
He fell into bad company and a deer stealing escapade at Charlecote Hall obliged him to go from home. This may or may not be true.
29
What was popular in London 1587?
Drama was gaining in popularity through work of University Wits
30
Shakespeare's jobs in London?
He took to the stage and became an actor then a playwright+actor. A bad reference from Robert Greene shows that in late 16th C Shakespeare was well known as a successful author.
31
Shakespeare remained in London for many years. He produced on average a couple plays a year. How was prosperity brought to him?
He became a shareholder of two of the leading theatres the Globe and Blackfriars. Purchased property in Stratford and London
32
What were Shakespeares domestic sorrows that was simultaneous with his prosperity?
His son, father, younger brother and mother died in a couple of years.
33
Where did Shakespeare retire ?
In Stratford where he bought the largest house ' New Place'
34
Shakespeare's daughters did what?
By the time of his retirement, his elder daughter married Dr. John Hall who was later celebrated as a physician. His younger daughter married Thomas Quiney whose father had been one of Shakespeare's closest friends.
35
When did Shakespeare die?
23 April 1616
36
Who was a practical man of affairs like Chaucer? He reached London poor and left it rich and respected.
Shakespeare
37
Some characteristics of Shakespeare's writings which reflect his biography?
Great imagination is combined with a feeling for reality, common sense and a varied familiarity with the world. His learning is not of the scholar but a wide miscellaneous learning. At a time when all learning was saturated with the classicism of the Renaissance. The atmosphere around him was intellectual. Translations gave him easy access to ancient literatures treasures.
38
Shakespeare's works. How many?
37 plays BUT authenticity of several are doubtful. In some cases he just retouched older material.
39
Shakespeare's activity as a writer for the stage extended over some 12 years from when to when? 12 belong to sixteenth century and 12 to seventeenth century. Shakespearean critics have agreed to divide these 24 years into four periods
1588-1612
40
1) 1588-93. The period of?
Early and experimental work
41
Shakespeare's apprenticeship begins with the revision of old plays such as?
Three parts of Henry VI and Titus Andronicus
42
To the early and experimental period belong his first comedies where influence of Lyly is seen. Which are?
Loves Labour Lost; The Two Gentlemen Of Verona; The Comedy Of Errors; A Midsummer Night's Dream
43
Shakespeare's first effort in chronicle drama, very reminiscent of Marlowe?
Richard III
44
Shakespeare's first very youthful tragedy?
Romeo and Juliet
45
Sum up characteristics of Shakespeare's early and experimental period.
Art is immature with little depth of thought or characterisation. Prominence of rhyme in dialogue, stiff blank verse Constant use of puns, conceits and other affectations
46
1594-1600. Is the period of the?
Great comedies and chronicle plays
47
Name the works of the period of great Comedy and Chronicle.
Richard II, King John, Henry IV parts 1 and 2, Henry V The Merchant of Venice, Much Ado About Nothing, As You Like It, The Taming Of The Shrew, Twelfth Night, The Merry Wives of Windsor
48
Sum up the characteristics of the period of great Comedy and Chronicle.
Leaves behind influence of early masters. Reveals immense development in quality, knowledge of the world and men Characterisation and humour are deep Prose and free blank verse
49
1601-08. Period of the?
Great Tragedies and Bitter Comedies
50
In which period are Shakespeare's powers at his highest?
In the period of Great tragedies and Bitter Comedies
51
What is the general tone of the Great Tragedies and Bitter Comedies?
His tone is preoccupied to the exclusion of all other things with the dark side of humanity. Shaking foundation of moral order and bringing ruin on innocent and guilty alike. Even in the comedies the emphasis is still on evil.
52
What are the works in Great Tragedies and Bitter Comedies/ masterpieces
King Lear, Macbeth, Othello, Hamlet Troilus and Cressida, Julius Caesar, Timon Of Athens, Coriolanus, Antony and Cleopatra Alls Well That Ends Well, Measure For Measure
53
1608-12. Period of the?
Later Comedies or dramatic romances
54
Sum up the characteristics of the Later Comedies/ Dramatic Romances
The heavy clouds that hung over Shakespeares imagination roll away and the sky grows clear ( towards sunset). In these last plays the foundations are still tragic passion but evil is defeated by good. The decline of Shakespeare's powers. Unsatisfactory in plot and characterisation. Declined in style and versification.
55
What are the works in the Later Comedies/ Dramatic Romances?
Cymbeline, The Tempest, The Winters Tale Another two which are PARTLY his- Pericles, Henry VIII( completed by Fletcher )
56
Characteristics of Shakespeare's works. What is their most important feature? Give other features too
Wonderful variety He was at home in both tragedy and comedy. He was free from dogmatism. His characterisation made the characters feel really alive and real.
57
Shakespeare's vocabulary?
15,000 words
58
Shakespeare's limitations?
He was essentially a man of his time and his interpretation of human nature was very different. He wrote in a hurry. He was willing to sacrifice consistency of character and finer art to achieve theatrical effect. At places his psychology unconvincing, style vicious, wit poor and tragic langauge extravagant.
59
Ben Jonson. A friend of?
Shakespeare's
60
Among Shakespeares friends, he was the greatest in genius and also fundamentally his work is different from Shakespeare. Who is it
Ben Jonson
61
Ben Jonson born where and when?
London 1573
62
Where did Ben Jonson lay the foundations for classical scholarship?
Westminster Grammar School
63
When did Ben Jonson become an actor and( when n how) did he open his career as a dramatist? For many years he wrote plays for both court and public stage.
Became an actor 1592. In 1598 opened dramatist career with his comedy Every Man In His Humour.
64
With accession of Charles I, how did Ben Jonson face ill fortune?
He suffered from neglect ,poverty and illness. Bedridden he died in 1637. Having outlived Shakespeare by large.
65
What work did Jonson do outside the drama?
A good deal of work including many translations and miscellaneous poems.
66
What are the 3 groups of Ben Jonsons plays?
Court masques, historical tragedies, comedies( Most important)
67
How are Ben Jonsons historical tragedies and name one of them
Very learned, laborious and dull. Sejanus and Catiline.
68
Name some of the best of Ben Jonsons numerous comedies
The Alchemist, Volpone or The Fox, Epicoene or The Silent Woman
69
How was Ben Jonson a realist with comedy?
His world of comedy is not world of romance but of contemporary London life with its men and manners. OF the world he gives a dramatic picture. He takes his art seriously and also functions to correct and teach. It is didactic realism.
70
How is Ben Jonsons principles of dramatic construction?
He takes Latin comedy as his model.
71
How is Ben Jonsons characterisation?
Based on the idea that each man has one "master passion" which is the central feature of his personality. His men and women are not complex individuals but types, like the old morality play. Often gives them names that indicate their humours.
72
Name some of Ben Jonsons characters.
Morose, Wellbred, Downright.
73
In Jonsons comedies intellect predominates. They are not from creative power but learned skill. What is their defect?
They are heavy and need spontaneity and charm
74
Jonsons influence on succeeding dramatist is very great. He was the real founder of?
The Comedy Of Manners
75
Other dramatists of Shakespeare's age. How was John Webster and give his works?
Dramatist of dark genius. His morbid love of violent and horrible things often led him to sensationalism. ( White Devil)( Duchess of Malfi) contain best scenes of tragic passion
76
How was John Ford and give his works?
Similar tendency to violent and horrible subjects, but his pathos gives his best work a distinction( The Broken Heart)
77
How was Beaumont and Fletcher , give their works?
Did much collaborative work. Fletcher continued to write greatly after his partners death. Their sentiment is strained and characterisation poor but they have redeeming features of romantic drama( Philaster) (The Maids Tragedy)
78
About Philip Massinger and works?
A writer of various styles, reached high level in his comedy( A New Way To Pay Old Debts)
79
Who was the ' last of a great race'?- Charles Lamb about Shakespearen Dramatists
James Shirley from reign of Charles I
80
Did drama decline ?( Other Dramatists of Shakespeare's age)
The decline of drama is apparent in all the named writers. By the end of the age the old powers are gone and stage has become immoral like the age. Even formlessness of blank verse employed is one more decay.
81
The Playhouses of Shakespeare's time. How was drama performed in the earlier years to this?
Performed in inn yards and other open spaces where a scaffold could be erected for spectators
82
When and where were the two permenant Playhouses the Theatre and the Curtain built?
In 1576 in the open fields of Shoreditch
83
There were only 2 Playhouses when Shakespeare reached London but by the end of Elizabeths reign atleast several were made. Where?
Not inside London because of civic authorities but in immediate outskirts. Chiefly on banks on Surrey side of Thames.
84
With which 2 Playhouses was Shakespeare closely connected?
Globe in Southwark and Blackfriars near spot now occupied by Times office
85
WHY did actors obtain licences?
In order to avoid being treated as rogues actors had to obtain licences from influential patrons and enrol themselves in companies as their servants.
86
To what company did Shakespeare belong?
Lord Leicesters Servants( afterwards Lord Chamberlains Servants)
87
Playhouses were very small, round or hexagonal and made of wood. Describe their inner parts
The stage and the boxes were roofed in with thatch and rest of buliding was open to sky. Boxes were for rich playgoers, some of whom sat on stage. No seats were provided for commoners in the yard. Into the yard ran the stage, a simple platform.
88
Did Shakespearen playhouses have movable scenery?
Practically none and was just beginning to come in towards end of period. IT was not regularly used till after Commonwealth ended and theaters reopened.
89
What were Shakespearen stage properties then?
Articles of furniture were used. Placards hung out to inform audience where scene was supposed to be laid.
90
How did conditions of Shakespearen playhouses influence his dramas? Referring to lack of painted scenery.
1) continual change in locality of action 2) frequency of descriptive passages where appeal was made to imagination
91
Talk about the balcony and the open space beneath in Shakespearen playhouses.
IT was a small structure at the back of the stage. The balcony stood for an elevated place such as the walls of a city. The open space beneath, which could be curtained off, was for any interior scene.
92
When did performances begin in the day?
About three in the afternoon and lasted two hours
93
Were there actresses on the Shakespearen stage?
No, women's parts were taken by specially trained boys and young men. Only after Restoration did women appear.
94
Shakespeare's Works. His non dramatic poetry? They are narrative poems. In them the classicism of the age is marked.
Venus and Adonis, Lucrece
95
Shakespeare wrote sequence of 154 sonnets addressed to? Talk about them.
First 126 addressed to a man and rest to a woman. They are obscure and record a passionate history of broken love and friendship. We cannot be sure about their subjects except that they are finest lyrical poetry of their time.

HEL (11 decks)

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