The Elizabethan Age

1485-1625

During the Elizabethan Age three prominent figures reigned. Henry VII, a Tudor, became king of England in 1485 and began a new royal family. The leadership of Henry VII produced a period of peace and progress for the nation. Following Henry VII's reign of peace was a the leadership of his son, Henry VIII. Henry VIII created great turmoil amoungst the people, over a dispute with the church, during his reign over England. The following ruler of England during the Elizabethan Age was the namesake of the period. Queen Elizabeth I, Henry VII's granddaughter, ruled England from 1558-1603 (her reign was followed by James I.) During Elizabethan I's rule, magnificent changes took place. Her reign was so long and productive that the entire period of history and the literature the period produced was named after her.

The late 1500's was a golden age in England. Feudalism had ended, a new economic prosperity had taken shape and an overseas commerce helped make England a rich nation. A religious revolution, The Protestant Reformation, was taking shape in central Europe and spreading quickly toward England. The Protestant Reformation was a protest against the views, ideas and beliefs held by the powerful Roman Catholic Church. During King Henry VIII's reign, the ties between the Roman Catholic Church and England were cut because Henry wanted the marriage to his wife Catherine to be annulled. After the split, Henry VIII established the Church of England. The newly formed church, with Henry VIII as the leader, sparked feids and fighting between several religious groups.

England became a great sea power under the crown of Queen Elizabeth I. The tiny English navy gained great recognition when they defeated a renowned Spanish Armada. The recognition allowed the nation to flourish as a great power of the seas. World trade and colonization began and the people of England exploded with fervor and excitement. The death of Elizabeth I, left the thrown of England to James I of Scotland. James I's ruling united the old island of Britian together, England, Scotland and Wales were now ruled by one monarch.

The time of the Renaissance began in the early 14th century and the term means a "rebirth." A period of learning which restored the English interest in science, art, exploration, music, drama and several other forms of cultural expression. The Renaissance period lead to great achievements. New lands were explored, paintings and sculptures were formed, scientific theories were tested, religious values were questioned and new life styles for literature were invented all during the "rebirth." The Renaissance period excited the people. The people became intrigued, they discovered and explored new avenues for expression. Creativity became a hobby for almost everyone.

The Elizabethan Age was an age of poetry. Some poets of the time dealt only with lyric prose; however, others were also playwrights. During the Elizabethan Age, being a poet and or a playwright became considered a legitimate profession. The plays written were usually performed by an acting company.

While the new and professional talent appeared, the form of poetry and drama changed. The lyric poem was introduced, which dealt with the emotions of the peot. The sonnet was introduced, which dealt mostly with the theme of love. And poetic drama became extremely popular. With the influence of the Renaissance, interest in the Greek and Roman playwrights escalated. The Greek and Roman works often were tragic or comical, and they often had comlex characters. The playwrights of ancient Greece and Rome were studied and imitated frequently.

The death of Queen Elizabeth I did not bring an end to the Elizabethan Age. The poets and playwrights continue the style of writing, which developed during the time period, well into the reign of King James I. For this reason, historians extend the term the Elizabethan Age to 1625, the death of King James I.

California.: Glencoe Publishing Co., 1989,pp.107-113.

Leontes and Polixenes have been friends for a long time. Polixenes goes to visit Leontes in Sicilia and Leontes begins to suspect his wife, Hermione, and Polixenes are having an affair. Leontes sends spies (servants) to watch and report upon the behavior of Hermione and Polixenes. The servants report nothing is happening and Leontes does not believe them. Leontes orders Polixenes to be poisoned. The servant sent to kill Polixenes explains the situation to the threatened king. Polixenes and Leontes' servant run off and hide in Bohemia.
ACT II

Hermione is now pregnant and Leontes believes Polixenes to be the father. Hermione has a baby girl, Perdita, and Paulina tries to convince Leontes the baby is his. Leontes is angered and orders the baby be taken and thrown into a fire. Antigonus is to kill the baby, but he pleads with the king to allow the baby to live.
ACT III

Leontes has sent for a verdict from the Oracle of Delphos and the messengers return with the news. When the seal is broken and the announcement clears Hermione and Polixenes of all charges, Hermione faints and seems to die. Paulina comes in and announces that Hermione has died and curses Leontes. Hermione appears to Antigonus in a dream and tells him to take the baby to Bohemia. Antigonus takes the baby to the shore of Bohemia, but he is attacked and killed by a bear.
ACT IV

Perdita grows up with a shepherd family and Florizel, the son of Polixenes, falls in love with Perdita. Florizel proposes to Perdita and Polixenes is angered. The servent, which aided Polixenes from Leontes, urges Florizel to take his new bride to Leontes and try to make peace between the two kings. The servant gives the young couple the money and they sail for Sicilia.
ACT V

Begins in Sicilia. Leontes is still bitter and sorrowful. Paulina is still threatening Leontes with his guilt. Stories are told and the mystery of Perdita is solved, Leontes realizes that Perdita is his lost child. A celebration is arranged and a statue of Hermione is brought out, so Perdita may see her mother. Paulina commands the statue to move and everyone is amazed when Hermione comes forth. Hermione was alive, but hidden the entire time. A "renewal" produces great happiness among all.