The Elizabethan Eras Effect on Shakespeares Works

The Elizabethan Eras Effect on Shakespeares Works If every playwright in Shakespeares time aspired, as he did, to paint a portrait of an age in their works, his would have been the Mona Lisa, leaving the most lasting impression on generations to come and at the same time, one of the worlds most baffling mysteries. Surely it is no coincidence that the worlds most celebrated dramatist wouldve lived during the time when one of the worlds most powerful rulers in history reigned. Or was it? How much influence from the Elizabethan era was infused into Shakespeares plays? Especially since it was a time of religious reformation and fluctuating political relations, in which England was very much in the thick of. The events and†¦show more content†¦An English student from Calvin College writes that, Several themes that are only Catholic also can be incurred throughout his works. For example, Shakespeare, at times, used the word holy in the sacramental sense that Catholics used it. Characters in his plays showed devotion to various saints. They also blessed themselves with the sign of the cross. Shakespeare incorporated references to Purgatory into some of his plots†¦ [His] upbringing certainly came into play in his familiarity of these subject. (Brydon). It is true that Shakespeare did have all of those references and signs of Catholicism in his plays, it should also be remembered that what a playwright instills in his characters does not necessarily reflect wh at he himself believes. In any case, because the values and beliefs of the Protestant and Catholic religions were not extremely different, it would have been easy for Shakespeare to cater to both without showing any specific preference towards one or the other. Theologically speaking, they do have different doctrines and leaders, but in the context of Shakespeares plays, both religions have a God, Bible, and other foundational values. His play, Measure for Measure, is based on the themes of morals and justice. He sets his characters into contemplating some tough ethical issues, which could be applied to both Protestantism and Catholicism. Another studentShow MoreRelatedGender Roles Of Female Characters1479 Words   |  6 PagesThroughout the eras, literature has mirrored the social changes taking place in English society specifically in regards to gender roles of female characters. The Elizabethan era, which lasted from 1558 to 1603, is often referred to as the golden age by historians where many transitions in English society regarding marriage and gender took place (Ivic 110). It was a time in which wives were viewed as the property of their husbands (Ivic 110). However, every woman was expected to marry and be dependentRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s The Elizabethan Era3177 Words   |  13 Pagesdisagreed with the Elizabethan society he lived in and with the concept of time. He found his society’s views unproductive and incorrect and he believed that time should not be a part of life, since it causes too much harm. His work showed how he viewed the concept of love and friendship and how someone cannot live his or her life properly without loving someone and being loved in return. Shakespeare’s worldview and the society he resided in become illuminated throughout his work, especially in his