Paper - 105 :"Elizabethan Politics and the Rise of National Identity in Literature “

 Paper 105 : A History of English Literature - From 1350 to 1900 

 This blog is part of an assignment for the paper 105- A History of English Literature - From 1350 to 1900 , in this paper I going to dealing with the topic

"Elizabethan Politics and the Rise of National Identity in Literature “

Personal information 

Name :- Krupali Belam 

Batch :- M.A. Sem 1 (2024-2026)

Enrollment Number :- 5108240007

E-mail Address:-krupalibelam1204@gmail.com 

Roll Number :- 14

Assignment details

Topic :- "Elizabethan Politics and the Rise of National Identity in Literature “

Paper & subject code :- 105:  A History of English Literature - From 1350 to 1900 

Submitted to :- Smt. Sujata Binoy Gardi, Department of English, MKBU,Bhavnagar

Date of Submission:- 20 November, 2024

Table of Contents

•  Introduction

•  The Political Climate of the Elizabethan Age

• Patriotism and Nationalism in Elizabethan Literature

• Queen Elizabeth I as a Literary Muse

• Shakespeare and National Identity

•  Christopher Marlowe’s Contribution to Nationalism in Drama

• Prose Writers and National Consciousness

• Religious Influence on National Identity in Literature

• The Spanish Armada and Its Impact on National Identity in Literature

• Legacy of Elizabethan Politics in Later English Literature

• Conclusion

 Introduction

The Elizabethan Age, named after Queen Elizabeth I, is regarded as a pinnacle in English cultural and political history, earning titles like “England’s Golden Age.” Lasting from 1558 to 1603, this era was marked by significant changes in political stability, religious settlement, cultural exploration, and an expanding global influence. It witnessed the growth of a distinctly English national identity one that was increasingly celebrated and defined through literature. Amidst this period of prosperity, England transformed into a powerful nation-state, both culturally and politically unified.

The literature of this era, particularly drama and poetry, played a crucial role in shaping and expressing the ideals of national pride and identity. Writers like William Shakespeare, Christopher Marlowe, and Edmund Spenser drew inspiration from the values and events of their time, incorporating themes of loyalty, patriotism, and unity into their works. 

The Political Climate of the Elizabethan Age 

Elizabeth I’s reign followed years of religious and political upheaval, as England had experienced successive changes in religious doctrine under Henry VIII, Edward VI, and Mary I. When Elizabeth ascended to the throne in 1558, she faced the formidable challenge of uniting a fractured nation. Her approach to governance was characterized by pragmatism and compromise, particularly with regard to religion. The Elizabethan Religious Settlement sought to position the Church of England as a moderate Protestant institution, providing stability while discouraging radicalism on either end of the religious spectrum. By mandating outward loyalty to the Church, Elizabeth navigated a balance that brought relative peace to her kingdom.

Elizabeth’s diplomatic prowess also extended to foreign policy. Though she carefully avoided outright war with Spain and other Catholic powers for most of her reign, tensions eventually culminated in the 1588 Spanish Armada. The English victory over Spain marked a significant boost in national morale, establishing England as a powerful player in European politics. Domestically, Elizabeth’s image as a wise, resilient, and pious leader helped solidify loyalty to the crown, as her subjects began to view themselves as part of a unified, Protestant nation under divine favor. This sense of collective identity, forged through shared political and religious values, laid a foundation for a unique English identity that writers could explore and celebrate in their works.

Patriotism and Nationalism in Elizabethan Literature

The themes of patriotism and nationalism became prominent in Elizabethan literature as authors responded to and reflected the pride and unity that Elizabeth’s reign inspired. Works such as Edmund Spenser’s The Faerie Queene portray England as a land of chivalric virtue, inhabited by heroes who defend moral values and the common good. This epic allegory, dedicated to Elizabeth I, extols the virtues of a Protestant, English identity by depicting noble figures fighting against forces symbolizing Catholic Spain and other foreign threats.

Similarly, Sir Philip Sidney’s Astrophel and Stella and his Defence of Poesy promote the notion that literature serves a patriotic purpose, capable of instilling virtuous ideals in its readers. Sidney argued that poetry could inspire moral action and enhance civic duty, making it a vital component of English identity. Through their celebrations of England’s heroes and moral values, writers like Spenser and Sidney contributed to an emerging sense of national pride, helping to foster a consciousness that defined what it meant to be English.

The Elizabethan emphasis on national pride extended beyond heroic tales to more subtle, introspective reflections on England’s unique virtues. These works, which often highlighted courage, loyalty, and unity, helped to establish a literary tradition in which English values were celebrated, inspiring a shared identity among readers and audiences.

Queen Elizabeth I as a Literary Muse

Elizabeth I’s image became a focal point in Elizabethan literature, as writers celebrated her qualities and often cast her as an idealized, almost mythic figure. Known as the “Virgin Queen,” Elizabeth cultivated a powerful image that symbolized purity, strength, and divine favor. Poets like Edmund Spenser elevated her to legendary status, using allegory to depict Elizabeth as Gloriana, a queen of unmatched virtue who personified England’s moral and political strengths.

Elizabeth’s role as a muse extended to drama as well. Shakespeare’s plays often contained subtle references to the queen’s reign, casting her as a stabilizing force in an era marked by upheaval and change. Writers portrayed her as the embodiment of English values, emphasizing her wisdom, resilience, and dedication to her people. This portrayal reinforced her status as the focal point of national pride, encouraging her subjects to view her as a living symbol of England’s stability and prosperity.

Elizabeth’s image also resonated in other forms of literature, including pamphlets, sermons, and ballads that circulated widely. Her ability to maintain control over her public image and to cultivate her persona as a wise and beloved monarch helped unify her subjects, providing a source of inspiration for poets and playwrights. By elevating Elizabeth to a literary icon, writers reinforced a sense of English identity that revolved around loyalty to the crown and pride in the nation’s accomplishments.

 

Shakespeare and National Identity

William Shakespeare’s works offer some of the most nuanced explorations of English national identity in Elizabethan literature. His history plays, particularly those that depict the lives of English kings, delve into themes of power, loyalty, and governance. In plays such as Henry V and Richard II, Shakespeare examines what it means to be a ruler and, by extension, what it means to be English. In Henry V, Shakespeare presents the titular character as a hero who unites his people and leads them to victory against France. Henry’s famous St. Crispin’s Day speech is an eloquent celebration of camaraderie, bravery, and shared English identity.

Shakespeare’s portrayal of Henry V as a model king who exemplifies the qualities of a just ruler helped shape the public’s understanding of ideal English governance. His works explore the relationship between the monarch and the people, suggesting that a king’s duty is to unite and protect his subjects. This portrayal resonated with Elizabethan audiences, who saw in Henry an idealized reflection of their own queen’s leadership.

Moreover, Shakespeare’s depiction of historical figures and events encouraged audiences to reflect on their heritage, instilling a sense of pride in England’s past. His works contributed to a growing national consciousness, presenting English history as a source of pride and inspiration. Through his exploration of themes like loyalty and patriotism, Shakespeare helped shape the values that would come to define English national identity.

Christopher Marlowe’s Contribution to Nationalism in Drama

Christopher Marlowe, one of Shakespeare’s contemporaries, also played a pivotal role in promoting national identity through his dramas. Marlowe’s characters often embody ambition and power, qualities that resonated with an England eager to assert itself on the global stage. In plays like Tamburlaine the Great, Marlowe explores themes of conquest and dominance, depicting a protagonist whose desire for power mirrors England’s own aspirations for influence.

In Edward II, Marlowe examines the consequences of weak leadership, subtly reinforcing the need for strong, unified governance. Marlowe’s exploration of ambition, power, and leadership reflects the political aspirations of Elizabethan England, contributing to the broader discourse on national identity. His works reveal an England that values strength and unity, qualities that were essential to the Elizabethan vision of nationhood.

Through his daring portrayals of power dynamics, Marlowe’s dramas encouraged audiences to consider the qualities that make a strong ruler and a resilient nation. His exploration of themes such as ambition, loyalty, and governance resonated with an audience that viewed England as an emerging global power. In this way, Marlowe’s works contributed to a growing sense of English pride and identity.

Prose Writers and National Consciousness

In addition to poetry and drama, Elizabethan prose contributed to the development of national identity. Writers like Sir Philip Sidney and Richard Hakluyt used prose to celebrate English virtues and ambitions. Sidney’s Defence of Poesy argued that literature could inspire virtuous action, suggesting that poetry could foster moral citizenship and reinforce national unity.

Hakluyt’s Principal Navigations chronicled English voyages of discovery, portraying England as a land of bold explorers and pioneers. His accounts of English adventurers emphasized the nation’s growing influence and promoted a sense of national pride in England’s maritime accomplishments. By celebrating the nation’s achievements, Hakluyt’s work contributed to a shared sense of purpose and identity.

Prose thus played an essential role in shaping English consciousness. Through their writings, Sidney and Hakluyt encouraged readers to see England as a land of virtue and ambition, promoting values that aligned with the Elizabethan ideal of a unified, proud nation.

 Religious Influence on National Identity in Literature

Religion played a significant role in shaping national identity during the Elizabethan Age. After years of religious turmoil under previous monarchs, Elizabeth I’s establishment of the Church of England helped to define a distinctly English Protestantism. This religious identity was not only a marker of faith but also an assertion of independence from the Catholic powers of Europe, particularly Spain and the Pope.

In literature, this Protestant identity manifested through works that celebrated the values associated with the Anglican Church and often critiqued Catholicism. Edmund Spenser’s The Faerie Queene, for example, is rich with Protestant allegory, portraying characters who embody virtues aligned with England’s Protestant ideals. The work celebrates Elizabeth as a Protestant queen who protects her people from foreign threats and embodies the moral virtues of the new national faith.

Moreover, sermons, pamphlets, and other religious writings of the time emphasized the notion of a “chosen nation.” English Protestants saw themselves as a people favored by God, a sentiment reinforced by Elizabeth’s own symbolic role as both political and spiritual leader. This sense of religious uniqueness strengthened the national identity, encouraging Englishmen to view their Protestantism as a source of unity and distinction.

The religious undertones in Elizabethan literature served as both a rallying cry against external Catholic threats and as a reminder of the shared faith that united the people. The Church of England became a cornerstone of English identity, and the literature of the time reflected this, offering both a celebration of Protestant virtues and a subtle critique of Catholic powers.

The Spanish Armada and Its Impact on National Identity in Literature

The defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588 was one of the most significant events of Elizabeth’s reign, marking a turning point in English history and further solidifying England’s sense of national pride. This victory over the formidable Spanish fleet was celebrated as a divine triumph, reinforcing the belief that England was a nation favored by God.

The Armada’s defeat became a major theme in Elizabethan literature, inspiring works that celebrated England’s military and moral superiority. Poems, plays, and pamphlets extolled the bravery of English sailors and the wisdom of Elizabeth’s leadership, portraying the event as a testament to the nation’s resilience and divine favor. Writers like Samuel Daniel and Michael Drayton commemorated the event in verse, helping to immortalize the victory as a symbol of English strength and unity.

This patriotic literature helped to cultivate a sense of shared identity among the English people, uniting them in celebration of a victory that represented more than just a military success. It was seen as a validation of England’s Protestant faith and a sign that the nation was protected by a higher power. The Spanish Armada thus became a symbol of English nationalism, and its impact on literature reinforced the themes of unity, loyalty, and patriotism that were central to Elizabethan identity.

 Legacy of Elizabethan Politics in Later English Literature

The themes of patriotism, national identity, and loyalty to the crown established during the Elizabethan Age continued to resonate in English literature long after Elizabeth’s death. The literature of the subsequent Jacobean and Caroline periods, as well as the Restoration, retained many of the ideals that had been cultivated during Elizabeth’s reign.

Authors like John Milton and John Dryden drew on the Elizabethan ideals of national pride and identity, though often with a more complex or critical perspective. Milton’s Paradise Lost, for instance, explores themes of authority, rebellion, and divine order, reflecting the tensions of a nation that had undergone civil war and political upheaval. Dryden’s Absalom and Achitophel uses biblical allegory to comment on contemporary political issues, yet it retains the Elizabethan focus on unity and loyalty to the nation.

The influence of Elizabethan politics and literature also extended to the Romantic poets, who looked back to the Elizabethan era as a time of national greatness. Writers like William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge saw in the Elizabethan Age a model of English cultural achievement and unity. This admiration for the period contributed to the Romantic ideal of a national literary tradition that celebrated both individual creativity and a collective English identity.

The legacy of Elizabethan politics in English literature is thus one of enduring influence. The values of patriotism, loyalty, and unity that were celebrated during Elizabeth’s reign continued to shape the themes and aspirations of English writers for centuries, becoming a central part of the nation’s literary and cultural heritage.

Conclusion

The Elizabethan Age was a formative period in the development of English national identity, and literature played a crucial role in shaping and expressing this identity. Through works of poetry, drama, and prose, writers celebrated the values that defined Elizabethan society: loyalty to the crown, religious devotion, and pride in England’s achievements. Figures like William Shakespeare, Edmund Spenser, and Christopher Marlowe drew on the political and religious context of their time to craft works that spoke to the aspirations of a nation emerging as a global power.

The political stability provided by Elizabeth I’s reign allowed for a flourishing of the arts, and the works produced during this period helped to foster a sense of shared identity among the English people. By celebrating the ideals of patriotism and unity, Elizabethan literature contributed to a national consciousness that would continue to evolve in the centuries to come.

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