LITERATURE IN THE ELIZABETHAN AGE. RECURRENT SHAKESPEAREAN THEMES
LITERATURE IN THE ELIZABETHAN AGE. RECURRENT SHAKESPEAREAN THEMES

Summary/Abstract: This article briefly refers to Renaissance and presents the cultural background in which the greatest English writer of all times wrote his masterpieces. The author explains some of the recurrent themes that appear in the Shakespearean tragedies such as revenge, madness, love, hatred, corruption, suicide. A special interest is shown to Romeo and Juliet, the greatest love story that has ever been written. Trapped by their social roles and conventions, Romeo and Juliet are pushed to the limit and commit suicide when they realize that the possibility of being together is very slim. They accept their fate and choose to escape the world that has kept them apart. In the Elizabethan Age people showed a special interest in ancient classical drama, because, unlike poetry and prose, it was accessible to a larger public. Theatres were open to all and the prices were affordable. Drama came to be society’s mirror as the life of the kings and queens of those times proved to be rather theatrical.

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