Most Controversial Themes During The Jacobean Era example essay topic

The Renaissance in English literature was a period of re-birth and exploration into old and new literary forms. A flowering of ideas developed, giving rise to much more passionate and complex works, centering around a plethora of themes. Yet in a time of great social and political upheaval, namely the Jacobean period, certain themes became more abundant in authorship. This gave credence to the turbulent nature of the times while providing audiences with an insight into the author's own era. Particularly in the Jacobean era a pessimistic and mistrusting outlook developed. The author Ben Johnson does an excellent job of providing audiences with a theme centering on such a view.

In his dark satire, Volpone, Johnson confronts the cynical nature of humanity, in particular human greed. He protests immoral greedy persons, while also confronting laws that precipitate more greed. During the play the health of Volpone is failing, and from his own words men and women. ".. bring me presents, send me plate, coin, jewels, With hope that when I die (which they expect Each greedy minute) it shall return tenfold upon them" (Abrams, 1307). Ultimately Volpone's own greed and boastfulness is his downfall while Mosca receives all of Volpone's wealth. It is through such an ending that the true darkness of the play is shown and the futility of Johnson to rationalize his own society becomes apparent. Another theme touched upon during the Jacobean era touches upon anti-catholic sentiments, while providing pro-protestant ones.

John Donne proves to have many such elements within his works, more so as he was a protestant convert from Catholicism. This gives rise to speculation that Donne had to somewhat prove himself to those higher up. No more can this be reflected than in his 19 holy sonnets, which reflect his interest in Protestantism. In sonnet 18 through the lines.

".. What! Is it she which on the other shore Goes richly painted? Or which, robbed and tore, Laments and mourns in Germany and here?" (Abrams 1271) Donne in turn paints a negative picture of the Roman Catholic church along with the Lutheran and Calvinist churches through the use of bridal imagery. Just the fact that he excludes the Protestant church from the sonnet portrays the church in a good light. Donne's distinguished career as a preacher in the Church of England did not however save him from execution at the behest of one Henry King.

Perhaps one of the most controversial themes during the Jacobean era was that of the role of women. Amelia Lanyer, became the first Englishwomen to publish a substantial collection of works, an area until recently that was very much off limits to women. It is not surprising that Lanyer being a woman began to contradict and challenge many of the anti-feminine sentiments of her day through her first and only poetry collection, From Salve Dues Rex Judaerom. Lanyer immediately approaches the subject of inherent womanly sin and defects, stating a defense when talking of Mother Nature and questioning, "Why should not she now grace my barren muse, And in a women all defects excuse" (Abrams 1283). Lanyer also brings up Adam and Eve, being so brazen in a largely patriarchal time to heap some of the blame upon Adam, "Her fault though great, yet he was most to blame" (Abrams 1286). Though her actual effect upon such view points may have been small the substantial impact came from the fact that Women author's such as Lanyer were now being recognized and feminine views could be somewhat openly expressed.

The varying themes such as pro-feminine sentiments written about during the Jacobean era are but a small representation of very turbulent times. The rapidly changing society of England gave birth to many different literary styles. This in turn provided the freedom of authors to write about a much more broad range of subject without fear of persecution. Censorship on the part of the government and even the authors still did exist. Yet a freer general attitude became prevalent which provided the foundations for freedom of speech in the centuries to follow.