Context Flashcards
John Webster
WEBSTER’S VIEWS:
ambiguous standing: born into the middle class, a dramatist
Being a dramatist allowed him to straddle between different social spheres
his plays were performed for both elite audiences and common Londoners
successful businessman, involved in trade networks beyond the theatre, viewed as respectable
His works often criticised corruption in the court - shows his social awareness and offers his unique insight through his characters.
The historic Duchess of Amalfi
Giovanna D’Aragona
She had 3 brothers; Luigi and the Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church, and Carlo
Her husband was Duke of Amalfi
After her husband died, Giovanna fell in love with Antonio Beccadelli
married in secret and had two children
She left Amalfi in 1510 to give birth to her third child in Ancona
Her brother, the cardinal, used his influence to force the family to be expelled from Ancona
Tried going to Venice but was intercepted and had to go back to Amalfi.
Antonio escaped to Milan and met Matteo Bandello, who then published the story of these vents
The Duchess and her children were never seen again - presumed dead but not known for certain.
Other women that maybe influenced the Duchess’ character: Elizabeth the first, Portia (the merchant of Venice)
Webster was criticising corruption and abuse of power by the church and court
Gender in the Jacobean era
Expectations for women were shaped by patriarchal norms
Men were seen as providers and protectors
subordination of women:
Women’s honour was tied to their chastity and virtue - sex without marriage was very stigmatised and frowned upon.
women were naturally inferior and could only play domestic roles
Men had careers in law, medicine etc. Most women didn’t have an education, they learned languages and only learned things that made them most appealing to men.
Elizabeth - first female monarch in a male dominated society and defied the idea that women weren’t made for roles of power.
she refused to marry, she used her gender as a political people (mother of the people)
His queen didn’t exert a significant political influence
Gender and sexuality
the bible as a way to justify the separation between men and women.
Gender fluidity in theatre - men played women and there was a lot of ambiguity in gender.
Independent women were often accused of witchcraft
Marriages were almost entirely arranged: father’s consent and it was seen as an alliance between families for financial stability or political power.
Religion in the Jacobean era
Played a central role in the Jacobean era.
legacy of the Protestant reformation, catholic-Protestant conflict
ongoing struggles for religious dominance within England.
Very big division between Protestants and catholics.
protestantism was the state religion, but Catholicism still persisted as a minority religion.
catholic persecution: catholics were socially marginalised and weren’t allowed to practice their faith openly.
Gun powder plot of 1605 intensified the demonisation of catholics
catholicism was seen as a symbol of foreign influence.
Scapegoating, marginalising
Webster would critique religious hypocrisy (especially among the political and religious elites)
religious corruption and the abuse of power: webster’s plays explore the tension between personal morality and political power.
King James had a complex and pragmatic approach shaped by his belief in the divine right of kings.
James aimed to preserve the Church of England as the official state religion.
policies were often conciliatory
Hierarchy in the Jacobean era
Very structured hierarchy organised as a pyramid.
Middle class: merchants, skilled, tradespeople
middle class growing due to industrial expansion
during King James, the structure didn’t change, but the middle class gained more and saved money (raising their social capital)
Men and women had different roles
men worked
women took care of the home
Men were judged based on their wealth and possession of land
Most children were educated at home, but some sent their children to schools
expansion of grammar schools in the late Elizabethan and early Jacobean.
talented individuals gained knowledge and skills that were previously reserved for the nobility.
Only boys continued to study after elementary, but girls were taught to govern a house, cook and sew.
Education was largely aimed at supporting the existing social order rather than promoting social mobility.
University education was only accessible to extremely rich people.
James was a firm believer in the divine right of kings, and sought to centralise authority around himself and his advisors
His privy chamber was composed of influential men and had direct access to the king
easy to sway his decisions
His reign was marked by favouritism, cultural patronage, and attempts to resolve jurisdictional conflicts.
ongoing tensions with parliament and the common law courts
Performing arts in the Jacobean era and the Blackfriars theatre
Blackfriars was inside and had smaller, wealthier audiences compared to the globe theatre
It was first performed at Blackfriars, which had a different atmosphere and was more intimate / more access to lighting
emotions were easily conveyed and it made the play more intense
interest in the arts increased as nobles invested more, there was more interest in nuanced, complex performances.
people realised they could profit from plays.
Italy setting
Italy was a setting allowed Webster the freedom to critique the corruption, tyranny and immorality without directly criticising England and its monarchy
Exotic and dramatic setting to enhance the tension and heightened emotion.
historical connection to Italy
Britons believed that Italy was associated with corruption, excessive wealth and moral decadence
Italians were stereotyped as being overly passionate and prone to revenge
Italy was viewed as a center of Catholicism (catholic hate), sense of tension with Italy
Italy represents Catholicism - it was associated with ritualism, idolatry and moral corruption. Viewed as manipulative and indulgent
Italian courts and church were often portrayed as intertwined, with power hungry clergy and nobles engaging in immoral practices.
