A History of Elizabethan Literature

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

27450

Title

A History of Elizabethan Literature

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

George Saintsbury's comprehensive survey of English literature from Tottel's Miscellany to the Restoration, focusing on the Elizabethan era. This scholarly work offers critical insights into the poetry, drama, and prose of the period, highlighting key figures like Shakespeare, Spenser, and Marlowe with a tone of authoritative appreciation.

Summary up to 500 words

George Saintsbury's *A History of Elizabethan Literature* stands as the third volume in his comprehensive survey of English literary history, dedicated to the transformative era spanning from 1560 to 1665. The work meticulously charts the transition from the anonymous manuscript circulation of the Tudor period, exemplified by Tottel's *Miscellany*, to the flourishing of printed works that defined the age. Saintsbury traces the evolution of English poetry, highlighting the adoption of classical metres and the emergence of a distinct national style. He examines the contributions of the 'University Wits' and the rise of the great dramatists, including Christopher Marlowe, Robert Greene, and Thomas Kyd, before culminating in the unparalleled genius of William Shakespeare. The narrative extends beyond drama to explore the rich tradition of Elizabethan prose. Saintsbury analyzes the didactic writings of Roger Ascham and Richard Hooker, the philosophical essays of Francis Bacon, and the historical works of Sir Walter Raleigh. Special attention is given to Edmund Spenser and his masterpiece, *The Faerie Queene*, alongside the sonneteers and satirists of the day. The author provides a balanced critique, acknowledging both the artistic heights achieved and the occasional lapses in taste or grammar common to the era. Saintsbury further investigates the third dramatic period featuring Francis and John Beaumont and Philip Fletcher, the Jacobean poets, and the transition into the Caroline era. His analysis covers the pamphleteers involved in the Martin Marprelate controversy and the diverse output of later writers like John Milton, Jeremy Taylor, and Sir Thomas Browne. The volume concludes by surveying the decline of dramatic strength in the fourth period and the flourishing of minor Caroline poetry and prose. Throughout, Saintsbury emphasizes the importance of direct reading and original thought over mere bibliographical detail, aiming to foster a deep love for this magnificent subject. The book offers a complete picture of a dynamic and transformative era in English cultural history, capturing the movement from the early Renaissance to the complexities of the Stuart Restoration.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• History
• Literature