UA03MAENG01: ACQUAINTANCE

Major Literary Works

(16th to Early 17th Century)

Astrophel and Stella

Astrophel and Stella is a sonnet sequence written by Sir Philip Sidney and published posthumously in 1591. It consists of 108 sonnets and 11 songs that explore the emotional conflict of love, reason, and duty. The work is deeply personal and often regarded as one of the first major sonnet sequences in English literature. Belonging to the Elizabethan Age, this lyrical collection reflects Renaissance ideals of courtly love and classical influence, drawing from Petrarchan traditions while asserting a distinctly English voice.

Tamburlaine the Great

Tamburlaine the Great is a two-part drama by Christopher Marlowe, first performed around 1587 and published in 1590. This tragic play recounts the rise of the Central Asian conqueror Tamburlaine, who transforms from a Scythian shepherd into a ruthless emperor. It showcases Marlowe's signature 'mighty line' and elevates blank verse in English drama. The play belongs to the Elizabethan Age and helped establish Marlowe’s reputation as a major figure in Renaissance theatre.

The Advancement of Learning

The Advancement of Learning is a philosophical and scientific treatise by Francis Bacon, published in 1605. This prose work argues for the value of empirical research and the systematic acquisition of knowledge. Bacon criticizes the scholastic methods of the past and promotes observation and inductive reasoning. As part of the early modern scientific movement, the work belongs to the Jacobean Age and laid the groundwork for the development of the scientific method.

The Shoemaker’s Holiday

The Shoemaker’s Holiday is a comedy written by Thomas Dekker, first performed in 1599 and published in 1600. Set in London, the play portrays the rise of Simon Eyre, a shoemaker who becomes the Lord Mayor. Celebrating the values of honesty, labor, and middle-class success, this play blends humor with social realism. It is a product of the Elizabethan Age and provides insight into urban life and class dynamics during the period.

The School of Abuse

The School of Abuse is a prose pamphlet written by Stephen Gosson and published in 1579. In this work, Gosson attacks poets, musicians, and dramatists for corrupting youth and society. Though he ironically dedicated the book to Sir Philip Sidney, who disagreed with his views, the pamphlet reflects the moral anxieties of the Elizabethan Age. It is an important early example of Puritan criticism of art and literature.

Hamlet

Hamlet is one of William Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies, written around 1600 and first published in 1603. The play follows Prince Hamlet of Denmark as he seeks revenge for his father’s murder by his uncle, now king. Known for its philosophical depth, soliloquies, and exploration of themes like death, madness, and betrayal, it stands as a pinnacle of Elizabethan drama. The work blends revenge tragedy with psychological insight and poetic brilliance.

Dr. Faustus

Dr. Faustus is a tragic play by Christopher Marlowe, first performed in 1592 and published in 1604. It tells the story of a scholar who sells his soul to the devil in exchange for knowledge and power. The play explores Renaissance themes of ambition, human limitation, and the consequences of overreaching. As a key Elizabethan tragedy, it showcases Marlowe’s bold use of blank verse and philosophical drama.

The Unfortunate Traveller

The Unfortunate Traveller is a prose narrative by Thomas Nashe, published in 1594. Subtitled 'The Life of Jack Wilton,' it follows the adventures and misfortunes of a courtier across Europe. Combining satire, travelogue, and picaresque elements, the work reflects the energetic, chaotic style of Nashe and the uncertainties of the Elizabethan world. It is among the earliest examples of the English picaresque novel.

Arcadia

Arcadia is a prose romance by Sir Philip Sidney, written in the 1580s and published posthumously in 1590. Often known as 'The Countess of Pembroke’s Arcadia,' it mixes prose and poetry to tell a pastoral story of love, politics, and adventure in a fictional land. The work belongs to the Elizabethan Age and represents the Renaissance ideal of combining entertainment with moral instruction. Its elaborate style influenced English prose and drama.

The Shepherd’s Calendar

The Shepherd’s Calendar is a pastoral poem by Edmund Spenser, published in 1579. Composed of twelve eclogues representing each month of the year, the poem blends classical forms with English rural life. It marked Spenser’s debut as a poet and established his reputation. The work belongs to the Elizabethan Age and uses allegory to discuss political, religious, and poetic concerns.

Euphues, the Anatomy of Wit

Euphues, the Anatomy of Wit is a prose romance written by John Lyly and published in 1578. It tells the story of a young man named Euphues and includes philosophical reflections on love, friendship, and education. The book is notable for its elaborate style, called Euphuism, marked by balanced sentences and classical allusions. It reflects the tastes of the Elizabethan court and was widely influential in shaping prose style of the period.

Rosalynde

Rosalynde is a prose romance by Thomas Lodge, published in 1590. It is best known as the source for Shakespeare’s play *As You Like It*. The story, filled with romance, disguise, and pastoral themes, follows the adventures of Rosalynde and her love for Rosader. Belonging to the Elizabethan Age, the work reflects Renaissance ideals and was popular for its charm and poetic interludes.

Venus and Adonais

Venus and Adonis is a narrative poem by William Shakespeare, first published in 1593. Based on Ovid’s *Metamorphoses*, the poem tells of the goddess Venus’s unrequited love for the handsome youth Adonis. Written in six-line stanzas, it was Shakespeare’s first published work and gained immediate popularity. It belongs to the Elizabethan Age and reflects the erotic and mythological themes favored by Renaissance poets.

Tottel’s Miscellany

Tottel’s Miscellany, officially titled *Songes and Sonettes*, was published by Richard Tottel in 1557. It is an anthology of English poetry, featuring the works of Henry Howard (Earl of Surrey), Sir Thomas Wyatt, and others. As the first printed collection of English lyrics, it played a major role in shaping the development of the English Renaissance lyric tradition. It belongs to the early Tudor period and helped standardize poetic forms like the sonnet.

The Duchess of Malfi

The Duchess of Malfi is a revenge tragedy by John Webster, first performed around 1614 and published in 1623. It tells the tragic story of a widowed duchess who secretly remarries and is cruelly punished by her brothers. The play is known for its dark themes, psychological depth, and poetic language. It belongs to the Jacobean Age and is one of the finest examples of Jacobean drama.

Every Man in his Humour

Every Man in His Humour is a comedy by Ben Jonson, first performed in 1598. The play uses the theory of humours—bodily fluids affecting temperament—to create exaggerated characters. Set in contemporary London, it satirizes social types and human folly. It belongs to the Elizabethan Age and helped establish Jonson’s reputation for realistic, satirical comedy.

The Spanish Tragedy

The Spanish Tragedy is a revenge tragedy by Thomas Kyd, written in the late 1580s and published in 1592. It centers on Hieronimo, who seeks justice for his son’s murder. The play introduced many elements of the revenge genre, such as ghosts, madness, and play-within-a-play. It belongs to the Elizabethan Age and deeply influenced later works like Shakespeare’s *Hamlet*.

Apology for Poesie

An Apology for Poesie is a literary defense written by Sir Philip Sidney around 1580 and published posthumously in 1595. In this prose treatise, Sidney argues that poetry is the highest form of learning because it teaches through delight. He responds to Puritan attacks on literature and praises the moral and imaginative power of poetry. The work belongs to the Elizabethan Age and remains one of the most important early works of literary criticism in English.

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