Puritans opposed to drama during the Jacobean drama age. They were one of the reasons behind the decline of drama in the age of John Webster. They had been opposing drama since it was becoming famous in England. According to them, drama or any other form of entertainment was unwanted and hellish. If someone is interested in seeking salvation then he had to boycott their interest in drama and other forms of literature. In 1579, Stephen Gosson attacked all secular literature through his book ‘School of Abuse’. He insulted writers and poets by putting them in the category of low class society. He said that there is no difference between poets, pipers, players and jesters. He called them Caterpillars of the Commonwealth. In 1583, Philip Stubbes condemned drama by supporting The Bible. Even an attack was done on the stage by Prynne in 1583.
Others who opposed the drama were the parliament (House of Common and House of Lords) of England. They voted to close the theatres claiming that they are spreading violence, lies, and immorality among society. It is totally against the policy of the Bible. They classified the drama under “Breeders of lies and immorality”. A. Nicoll said that the age which has given birth to Shakespeare and Spencer, has given chance to a period where the manifestation of traits of or man are more often related with feminine behaviour, style and gender roles. This period gave way to deteriorated thoughts and unrestrained indulgence in sexual pleasures. Heinous crime, bloodshed, violence, missing trust in relationships, and horror are used in this age. Even the big writers like John Webster use these inhumane qualities in his drama, The Duchess of Malfi. The wheel in ford has completed a circle. The temper of man of that age which saw the battered ships of the Armada moving fastly and helplessly to the north. This gave way to the period of degraded thoughts and insane sensuality. Blood Shedding scenes with heinous crimes, violence and horror are introduced. The Duchess of Malfi by Webster is the best example to experience such sensationalism.
Puritans opposed to drama during the Jacobean drama age. They were one of the reasons behind the decline of drama in the age of John Webster. They had been opposing drama since it was becoming famous in England. According to them, drama or any other form of entertainment was unwanted and hellish. If someone is interested in seeking salvation then he had to boycott their interest in drama and other forms of literature. In 1579, Stephen Gosson attacked all secular literature through his book ‘School of Abuse’. He insulted writers and poets by putting them in the category of low class society. He said that there is no difference between poets, pipers, players and jesters. He called them Caterpillars of the Commonwealth. In 1583, Philip Stubbes condemned drama by supporting The Bible. Even an attack was done on the stage by Prynne in 1583.
Others who opposed the drama were the parliament (House of Common and House of Lords) of England. They voted to close the theatres claiming that they are spreading violence, lies, and immorality among society. It is totally against the policy of the Bible. They classified the drama under “Breeders of lies and immorality”. A. Nicoll said that the age which has given birth to Shakespeare and Spencer, has given chance to a period where the manifestation of traits of or man are more often related with feminine behaviour, style and gender roles. This period gave way to deteriorated thoughts and unrestrained indulgence in sexual pleasures. Heinous crime, bloodshed, violence, missing trust in relationships, and horror are used in this age. Even the big writers like John Webster use these inhumane qualities in his drama, The Duchess of Malfi. The wheel in ford has completed a circle. The temper of man of that age which saw the battered ships of the Armada moving fastly and helplessly to the north. This gave way to the period of degraded thoughts and insane sensuality. Blood Shedding scenes with heinous crimes, violence and horror are introduced. The Duchess of Malfi by Webster is the best example to experience such sensationalism.