Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which monarch's reign does Elizabethan literature refer to?
Which monarch's reign does Elizabethan literature refer to?
What new poetic forms emerged during the Elizabethan era?
What new poetic forms emerged during the Elizabethan era?
Which major writer is associated with the Elizabethan era?
Which major writer is associated with the Elizabethan era?
What notable accomplishment occurred during Elizabeth I's reign?
What notable accomplishment occurred during Elizabeth I's reign?
Signup and view all the answers
What influenced English playwrights during the Elizabethan era?
What influenced English playwrights during the Elizabethan era?
Signup and view all the answers
Who coined the term 'Metaphysical poets'?
Who coined the term 'Metaphysical poets'?
Signup and view all the answers
What characterized the work of the Metaphysical poets?
What characterized the work of the Metaphysical poets?
Signup and view all the answers
How were the Metaphysical poets regarded until the 20th century?
How were the Metaphysical poets regarded until the 20th century?
Signup and view all the answers
What did Samuel Johnson suggest as a more useful name for the Metaphysical poets?
What did Samuel Johnson suggest as a more useful name for the Metaphysical poets?
Signup and view all the answers
What did Samuel Johnson refer to in his Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets?
What did Samuel Johnson refer to in his Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Elizabethan Literature
- Refers to the reign of Queen Elizabeth I (1558-1603).
- Flourished during a time of political stability and exploration.
New Poetic Forms
- Emergence of the sonnet, notably the Shakespearean (or English) sonnet.
- Revival of blank verse, free from rhyme but adhering to iambic pentameter.
Major Writer
- William Shakespeare is the prominent playwright and poet of the Elizabethan era.
Notable Accomplishment
- The establishment of the English Renaissance, leading to advances in arts and culture.
Influences on Playwrights
- The influence of classical literature, especially works from ancient Greece and Rome.
- The use of the English language as a medium for expression and exploration of human nature.
Coining of 'Metaphysical Poets'
- The term was coined by poet Samuel Johnson to describe a group of 17th-century poets.
Characteristics of Metaphysical Poets
- Notable for their intellectual complexity, wit, and use of paradox.
- Abstract themes explored through colloquial language and inventive imagery.
Reception of Metaphysical Poets
- Considered old-fashioned and neglected until the 20th century, when appreciation grew.
Suggested Name by Samuel Johnson
- Recommended calling them "heroic poets" for their elaborate style and themes.
Reference in Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets
- Samuel Johnson examined their works critically, acknowledging their originality and depth, which shaped later poetry.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Test your knowledge of Elizabethan literature with this quiz! Explore the works of poets and playwrights from the splendid age of English literature, including the sonnet, Spenserian stanza, and dramatic blank verse. Delve into the historical chronicles, pamphlets, and prose of this influential era.
