Literary Latitude

Here are some key facts about the Jacobean Age and Puritan Age in English literature:

Jacobean Age (1603-1625):

• Reign of King James I: The Jacobean period corresponds to the reign of James I of England (1603–1625).
• Continued Flourishing of Drama: The period saw the continuation of Elizabethan drama, with prominent playwrights such as William Shakespeare, Ben Jonson, and John Webster.
  • Shakespeare’s Later Works: This period includes Shakespeare’s major tragedies, such as Macbeth, King Lear, and Othello.
  • Tragicomedies and Dark Tragedies: The themes of darkness, violence, and pessimism became more pronounced. The Duchess of Malfi by John Webster is a prime example.
• Ben Jonson’s Comedy: Known for his satirical plays (Volpone, The Alchemist), Jonson became a leading playwright and poet during this era.
• Metaphysical Poetry: This era also saw the rise of metaphysical poets like John Donne, whose work dealt with complex metaphors and themes of love, religion, and death.
• Prose and Sermons: The period is marked by important prose works and sermons. Francis Bacon contributed significant essays, while John Donne delivered notable religious sermons.
• King James Bible (1611): One of the most important publications of the period was the King James Version of the Bible, which had a profound influence on the English language and literature.
• Rise of Masques: The courtly entertainment of masques became prominent, with figures like Inigo Jonescontributing to their production.

Puritan Age (1625-1660):

• Religious Conflict and Civil War: The Puritan Age corresponds with the reign of Charles I, the English Civil War (1642–1651), and the Interregnum (1649–1660) under Oliver Cromwell. Literature during this period was heavily influenced by religious and political conflicts.
• Decline of Drama: The Puritan regime saw the closing of theatres in 1642, causing a significant decline in dramatic literature. Many playwrights shifted to other forms of writing.
• John Milton: A towering literary figure of this period, Milton’s works, including Paradise Lost (published after the Puritan Age in 1667), represent the culmination of Puritan thought. His earlier works like Lycidas (1637) and Areopagitica (1644) were significant contributions during this time.
• Metaphysical and Cavalier Poets:
  • Metaphysical Poets like George Herbert and Henry Vaughan continued to explore spiritual themes with intellectual depth.
  • Cavalier Poets, such as Robert Herrick and Richard Lovelace, wrote lyrical poetry, often focusing on courtly love and loyalty to the king.
• Religious Prose: This period saw a rise in religious writings, with John Bunyan emerging as a prominent figure, though his famous work Pilgrim’s Progress (1678) was written after the Restoration.
• Political Writings: With the Civil War, literature also took on a political dimension, with many writers producing pamphlets, sermons, and tracts reflecting the intense religious and political disputes.

These ages were both rich in literary output, shaped by the social, religious, and political upheavals of their respective times.