Introduction to the Study of Shakespeare (1590-1798)
The study of William Shakespeare (1564–1616) within the broader context of English literature from 1590 to 1798 reveals his unparalleled influence on drama, poetry, and literary criticism. Spanning the late Renaissance to the Enlightenment, this period saw Shakespeare’s works evolve from popular entertainment to canonical masterpieces, shaping English literary tradition.
Shakespeare in the Elizabethan and Jacobean Eras (1590–1625)
Shakespeare’s career flourished during the reigns of Elizabeth I (1558–1603) and James I (1603–1625), a golden age of English drama. His plays, performed by the Lord Chamberlain’s Men (later the King’s Men), reflected the cultural and intellectual currents of the time. Comedies like A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1595) and tragedies like Hamlet (1600) blended classical influences with innovative storytelling. The First Folio (1623), compiled by his colleagues, preserved 36 of his plays, ensuring his legacy.
The Restoration and Eighteenth Century (1660–1798)
After the Puritan closure of theaters (1642–1660), the Restoration revived Shakespeare, albeit with adaptations. Playwrights like John Dryden and Nahum Tate altered his works to suit neoclassical tastes—Tate’s King Lear (1681) famously gave the tragedy a happy ending. By the 18th century, editors such as Alexander Pope and Samuel Johnson sought to restore Shakespeare’s original texts, treating his works as literary classics rather than mere scripts.
Critical Reception and Literary Influence
Shakespeare’s reception between 1590 and 1798 shifted dramatically. While Ben Jonson praised him as “not of an age, but for all time,” 18th-century critics like Johnson balanced admiration with scrutiny, noting his “faults.” Enlightenment thinkers valued his psychological depth, while Romantic poets like Coleridge later celebrated his imaginative genius.
Conclusion
From his Elizabethan origins to his Enlightenment canonization, Shakespeare’s works transcended their era, influencing drama, criticism, and poetry. The period from 1590 to 1798 marks his transformation from a celebrated playwright to a timeless literary icon, laying the foundation for modern Shakespearean studies.