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# Jacobean Era 1603-1625 (Reign of King James I of England) The Jacobean Era was a continuation of the Renaissance but marked by a darker, more cynical tone compared to the preceding Elizabethan era. It was a period of political instability, religious tension, and social upheaval, reflected in the...

# Jacobean Era 1603-1625 (Reign of King James I of England) The Jacobean Era was a continuation of the Renaissance but marked by a darker, more cynical tone compared to the preceding Elizabethan era. It was a period of political instability, religious tension, and social upheaval, reflected in the literature of the time. ## Key events * Ascension of King James I * Gunpowder Plot (1605) * Colonial Expansion * Shakespeare's Later Works * The Making of King James Version of the Bible ## Key stylistic characteristics and genre * **Tragedy and Dark Themes:** Focus on the human condition, violence, and corruption. * **Metaphysical Poetry:** Use of complex metaphors and philosophical exploration of love and religion. * **Masques:** Elaborate court entertainments combining poetry, music, and dance. * **Revenge Tragedy:** Popularized genre featuring plots centered around vengeance, betrayal, and murder. ## Common themes * The nature of power * Moral ambiguity and corruption * The fragility of life * Love, betrayal, and revenge * Justice and the law * Religious conflict * Satire and human evil ## Notable Writers | Writer | | Works | |---|---|---| | John Donne | Metaphysical Poet | *Death Be Not Proud* *Air of Angels* *Holy Sonnets* | | Francis Bacon | Prose Writer | *Novum Organum* *New Atlantis* *The Advancement of Learning* | | Thomas Middleton | Playwright and Poet | *Women Beware Women* *The Changeling* | | William Shakespeare | Playwright and Poet | *Macbeth* *Othello* *The Tempest* |