THE RISE OF DRAMA: THE REIGN OF ELIZABETH

 "THE ERA HOLDING A GOLDEN BUCKET OF GREAT DRAMAS AND                                                DRAMATISTS OF LITERATURE"                                                   

INTRODUCTION  :-

In Our Day to Day Conversation in classroom  learning prof.  Dilip  sir Barad gave a thinking Activity task upon the The History of English literature : Chaucer to Elizabethan. Here is the detailed description of this period and also the discussion of the points and the answers of the questions mentioned in the task . 

1. Rewriting the Last Monologue of Doctor Faustus with Insights from Bhagat Singh’s Arguments Reflect on the concluding monologue of Marlowe’s ' incorporating insights from Bhagat Singh’s essay "Why I am an Atheist". Consider how Singh’s perspectives on freedom, oppression, and revolutionary thought can offer new dimensions to Faustus’s final lament.

Total Rejection of God: Bhagat Singh explicitly states his total rejection of the existence of an Omnipresent, all-powerful, all-knowing God and mighty power.

1. Atheism Not Born of Arrogance or Pride: He clarifies that his atheism does not stem from arrogance, pride, or vanity. He does not consider himself a demi-god, prophet, or God himself.

2. Sacrifice Without Selfish Motive: Bhagat Singh is prepared to sacrifice his life for a cause. Unlike believers who might expect rewards (e.g., rebirth as a king for a Hindu, luxuries in paradise for a Muslim or Christian), he anticipates no such consolation or reward in this life or the hereafter. 

 3.Societal Labelling of Atheists: He notes that challenging the validity of faith in a supreme being, or denying God's existence, often leads to being labelled a "Kafir" or "renegade". This occurs even if one's arguments are strong and impossible to refute, or if one's spirit is unbowed by threats of divine wrath.

4. Reason Over Mysticism or Opiates: Bhagat Singh describes his situation as harsh due to his disbelief in God, acknowledging it could worsen. However, he rejects mysticism as a way to make circumstances poetic, stating, "But I need no opiate to meet my end. I am a realistic man.". 

 5. Critique of Old Beliefs for Progress: He asserts that it is "necessary for every person who stands for progress to criticise every tenet of old beliefs.".

 6. Value of Reasoned Belief vs. Blind Belief: If someone arrives at a theory or philosophy through "rigorous reasoning," their faith is appreciated, even if their reasoning is mistaken or fallacious, because "Reason is the guiding principle of his life," which allows for correction. In contrast, "blind belief is disastrous" because it "deprives a man of his understanding power and makes him reactionary".

 7. Realism Demands Challenging Truth: Any person who claims to be a realist "has to challenge the truth of old beliefs.". He states that "If faith cannot withstand the onslaught of reason, it collapses.".

 8. Critique of British Rule and Apathy: Bhagat Singh uses his atheistic perspective to critique the political situation. He argues that British rule is not divinely willed but exists because "we lack the will and courage to oppose it.". He states that the British do not subjugate India with God's consent but rather with "the force of guns and bullets, police and militia, and above all because of our apathy.".

 9. Refusal to Pray in Face of Death: When a friend suggested he would begin to believe in God in his final days and urged him to pray, Bhagat Singh firmly refused. He declared, "Never shall it happen. I consider it to be an act of degradation and demoralisation. For such petty selfish motives, I shall never pray."

Here is a rewritten version of Doctor Faustus's last monologue, incorporating insights from Bhagat Singh’s essay "Why I am an Atheist," reflecting on how Singh’s perspectives on freedom, oppression, and revolutionary thought can offer new dimensions to Faustus’s final lament:

Ah, Faustus,

Now hast thou but one bare hour to live,

And then thou must be damned perpetually!

Stand still, you ever-moving spheres of heaven,

That time may cease, and midnight never come;

Fair stars, shine forth, and make this hour the day,

That Faustus may repent and save his soul!

O lente, lente, currite noctis equi!

The star move slowly, and the time come late!

O, what will all the world be then?

O Faustus, I’ll burn my books!—Ah, Mephistopheles!

1.  Rejection of Divine Intervention vs. Despair of Divine Judgment:

• Bhagat Singh explicitly states, "I totally reject the existence of an Omnipresent, all powerful, all knowing God". He attributes societal problems like British rule not to God's will but to human factors like "lack the will and courage to oppose it" and "our apathy"
• In contrast, Faustus's final monologue, in its traditional interpretation, is a desperate plea for mercy and an agonizing confrontation with impending damnation—a judgment from the very God Bhagat Singh rejects. Singh's atheism offers a radical alternative: a recognition that one's fate is shaped by human actions and choices, not divine decree or magical pacts. Singh would likely see Faustus's reliance on a pact with the devil, and later his desperate pleas to God, as a form of "blind belief" or a misguided search for external intervention, which "deprives a man of his understanding power and makes him reactionary".

2.Self-Sacrifice Without Motive vs. Self-Destruction for Motive:

•  Bhagat Singh highlights his "quite disinterestedly" devotion to the cause of freedom, expecting "no reward here or in the hereafter". He embraces his death without needing an "opiate to meet [his] end". His actions are driven by a commitment to a greater cause, even if it leads to his end.
• Faustus, on the other hand, sought power, knowledge, and pleasure through a selfish pact, ultimately leading to his self-destruction. Bhagat Singh's perspective would emphasize the degradation of seeking external power or comfort for "petty selfish motives," viewing prayer or belief in such instances as "an act of degradation and demoralisation". Singh's self-sacrifice is a stark contrast to Faustus's self-serving pursuit that leads to eternal damnation, highlighting the purity of Singh's purpose versus the corrupted motives of Faustus.

3.True Freedom through Action vs. Enslavement through Choices:

•  Bhagat Singh's "Why I am an Atheist" is an assertion of intellectual freedom, rejecting traditional societal and religious strictures, even when facing death. He believes in "man's duty to try and make efforts" to bring about progress. His atheism is presented as a path to clarity and decisive action against oppression.
• Faustus, by making his pact, trades apparent freedom and power for ultimate enslavement. Bhagat Singh's perspective would highlight that true freedom comes not from supernatural deals, but from one's own will, courage, and action against real-world oppression. Faustus's lament would then be seen as the ultimate price of spiritual and intellectual subjugation, contrasting sharply with Singh's unwavering resolve and the profound freedom he finds in his commitment to a cause, even when facing death. Singh's revolutionary thought—that British rule persists due to "our apathy" rather than divine will—would imply that Faustus's fate is similarly a consequence of his own choices and lack of "will and courage to oppose" his spiritual enslaver, rather than an unalterable destiny.

2.Conduct a comparative analysis of Geoffrey Chaucer, Edmund Spenser, and William Shakespeare. Focus on their poetic styles, themes, contributions to English literature, and their influences on subsequent literary traditions.

The Big Three: Chaucer, Spenser & Shakespeare

A poetic journey through the foundations of English literature

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1. Poetic Styles

• Geoffrey Chaucer

  
  
  

  • Used rhymed couplets and iambic pentameter—an early master of English verse.

  • Wrote in Middle English, blending French, Latin, and native rhythms.

  • Style: Earthy, satirical, narrative-driven (The Canterbury Tales).

• Edmund Spenser

  
  
  

  • Invented the Spenserian stanza (9 lines, ABABBCBCC) – rich and musical.

  • Embraced archaic language to echo medieval romance.

  • Style: Elevated, allegorical, and idealistic (The Faerie Queene).

• William Shakespeare

  
  
  

  • Master of blank verse and the English sonnet (ABABCDCDEFEFGG).

  • Seamlessly mixed poetic devices with natural speech.

  • Style: Dramatic, lyrical, full of puns, metaphors, and emotional nuance.

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2. Themes

• Chaucer

  • Human nature, class conflict, morality, and satire.

  • Gave voice to every social class—from knights to cooks.

• Spenser

  • Virtue, heroism, Christian allegory, and national pride.

  • Focused on moral ideals and Elizabethan values.

• Shakespeare

  • Love, ambition, identity, fate, and politics.

  • Probed deep psychological truths across tragedy, comedy, and history.

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3. Contributions to English Literature

• Chaucer – “Father of English Poetry”

  • Elevated English to a literary language when Latin/French dominated.

  • Introduced realistic characters and social commentary.

• Spenser – “The Poets’ Poet”

  • Crafted a national epic with The Faerie Queene.

  • Became a literary role model for the English Renaissance.

• Shakespeare – “The Bard of Avon”

  • Transformed drama into high art and redefined poetic expression.

  • Coined thousands of words and idioms still used today.

Relevance Today, Impact & Legacy

1. Geoffrey Chaucer – The Storyteller of Society

• Relevance Today:
  Chaucer’s characters in The Canterbury Tales mirror the complexities of modern society—diverse, flawed, and full of contradictions. His humor, irony, and social critique still resonate in today’s world of inequality and human drama.

• Legacy & Impact:

  • Paved the way for English as a literary language.

  • Inspired narrative poets and novelists from Dryden to Ted Hughes.

  • His storytelling structure influenced modern frame narratives in novels and films.

2.Edmund Spenser – The Architect of Allegory

• Relevance Today:
  Spenser’s focus on morality, virtue, and idealism speaks to current quests for identity and meaning in chaotic times. His allegories still influence fantasy literature, symbolism, and epic storytelling.

• Legacy & Impact:

  • A cornerstone of English Renaissance literature.

  • Revered by Romantic poets for his vivid imagery and imaginative vision.

  • Inspired allegorical traditions in writers like C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien.

3.William Shakespeare – The Eternal Bard

• Relevance Today:
  Shakespeare’s exploration of love, power, ambition, gender, and mental health remains deeply relevant. His lines are quoted in movies, music, politics, and everyday language.

• Legacy & Impact:

  • The most performed, adapted, and studied writer in history.

  • Coined over 1,700 English words and countless phrases.

  • Continues to influence global literature, theatre, cinema, and even psychology.

3.Best Bollywood Adaptations of Shakespeare Explore the best Bollywood adaptations of Shakespeare’s works. Discuss how these adaptations interpret and transform the original plays for an Indian audience.

 - Several Bollywood films have drawn direct inspiration from Shakespeare’s plays, often adapting them with Indian cultural contexts, music, and dramatic flair. Here are some notable ones:

1. Maqbool (2003) – Based on: Macbeth

   Transformation for Indian Audience:

• Power and loyalty are central themes, now filtered through the gangster milieu.

• The witches become two corrupt police inspectors, acting as a modern, ironic chorus.

2.Omkara (2006) – Based on: Othello

     Transformation for Indian Audience:

• Caste replaces race: Omkara’s outsider status is due to his lower caste, echoing the theme of being different.

• Langda Tyagi (Iago) is given a desi flavor, played with venomous brilliance by Saif Ali Khan.

3.Haider (2014) – Based on: Hamlet

    Transformation for Indian Audience:

• Hamlet's existential crisis becomes Haider’s struggle for identity in a militarized state.

• The famous "To be or not to be" soliloquy is transformed into a powerful monologue on revenge and justice.

4.Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988) – Inspired by: Romeo and Juliet

• Transformation for Indian Audience:

• The story was softened to suit the mainstream romantic tastes of 1980s India.

• Added family honor and sacrifice, deeply resonating with Indian cultural values.
• It struck an emotional chord and helped revive the romantic genre in Bollywood.

5.Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela (2013) – Based on: Romeo and Juliet

      

• Transformation for Indian Audience:

• Shakespeare’s feuding families become violent Gujarati clans, making the stakes emotionally and culturally relevant.

• Rich in visual splendor, dance, and music, the film turns the tragedy into a grand spectacle typical of Bollywood

4. Differentiating Literary Periods :-

- Differentiate the general characteristics of Renaissance literature from those of other literary periods such as the Reformation, Restoration, Neo-classical, Romantic, Victorian, and Modern literature. Highlight the unique features, themes, and stylistic elements of each period.

Renaissance literature from other major English literary periods — Reformation, Restoration, Neo-classical, Romantic, Victorian, and Modern — focusing on themes, styles, and defining features:

Renaissance Literature (c. 1500–1660)

Key Themes: Humanism, individualism, classical revival, exploration of human nature
Style: Ornate language, use of metaphors, sonnets, blank verse
Notable Authors: William Shakespeare, Christopher Marlowe, Edmund Spenser

Unique Features:

• Flourishing of drama and poetry, especially Elizabethan theatre
• Influenced by printing press and Renaissance humanism

Comparison of the Renaissance with other Ages

1.Reformation vs. Renaissance

• Renaissance celebrated human potential, secular beauty, and classical ideals.

• Contrast: Renaissance embraced art and individualism, while Reformation focused on faith, scripture, and moral urgency. The Renaissance explored earthly love and aesthetics; the Reformation condemned such as distractions from divine truth.

2.Restoration vs. Renaissance

• Renaissance literature often held a serious, idealistic tone, exploring human nature and virtue.

• Contrast: Renaissance drama (e.g., Shakespeare) was rich in philosophical inquiry; Restoration comedy was witty, worldly, and often morally loose. Restoration writers mocked the ideals Renaissance writers held sacred.

3.Neo-classical vs. Renaissance

• Renaissance writers sought inspiration from Classical antiquity to explore human emotion and individuality.

• Contrast: Where Renaissance celebrated creative expression and mythical imagination, Neo-classical literature demanded formality, moral clarity, and didacticism. Emotion gave way to reason and decorum.

4.Romantic vs. Renaissance

• Renaissance highlighted balance between reason and beauty, often grounded in the realistic human condition

• Contrast: While Renaissance thinkers admired classical harmony, Romantics sought the wild, the irrational, and the sublime. Renaissance was urban and courtly; Romanticism was rural and spiritual.

5.Victorian vs. Renaissance

• Renaissance literature emerged in an era of expanding horizons and individual glory.

• Contrast: The Renaissance was often optimistic, exploring what humans could be; the Victorian period was critical and reformist, asking what humans should be in a troubled society.

6.Modern vs. Renaissance

• Renaissance celebrated the coherence of man and the universe, inspired by classical unity and form.

• Contrast: Renaissance believed in order, purpose, and beauty in language; Modernism often disrupts language, challenges meaning, and reflects alienation and chaos. The Renaissance trusted reason and beauty — Modernism questioned everything.

6. Review of a Hindi Film Adaptation of Shakespearean Play Hamlet as Haider with the cultural perspective with Indian cinema.

Comparative reflection on the Indian cultural adaptation of Haider in relation to Shakespeare’s Hamlet, focusing specifically on how Indian culture, history, and socio-political context transform and reshape the original play’s narrative, characters, and themes.

Haider as an Indian Cultural Adaptation of Hamlet

 Vishal Bhardwaj’s Haider is not merely a cinematic retelling of Shakespeare’s Hamlet; it is a bold, localized adaptation that internalizes the essence of the original tragedy and reinterprets it through the cultural, historical, and emotional lens of India, particularly in the Kashmiri sociopolitical context. While the skeletal structure of Hamlet remains—revenge, betrayal, madness, existential doubt—its soul is transformed by the unique realities of Indian society.

1. From Danish Court to Kashmiri Conflict

• Original (Hamlet): Set in the royal court of Denmark, the play reflects the political tensions of monarchy, succession, and espionage in a European aristocratic structure.

• Adaptation (Haider): The court is replaced by Kashmir in the 1990s, during the peak of militancy and military presence. The power struggle is no longer royal but political, involving army informants, separatist movements, and military crackdowns.

Cultural Impact: The adaptation swaps palace intrigue with armed insurgency, custodial disappearances, and the controversial AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Powers Act), thus making the conflict deeply rooted in real, lived Indian experiences.

3. Madness: From Theatrical Performance to Psychological Trauma

  In Hamlet, madness is both real and performed—a way for Hamlet to mask his motives and reflect his internal chaos. In Haider, this madness is interpreted through the contemporary language of trauma and mental health. Haider suffers from PTSD, which is recognized and discussed by others.

Indian Context: Madness in Haider is not just a dramatic device; it reflects the psychological toll of political violence, surveillance, and loss. The “madness” becomes a symbol of the entire region’s fractured psyche, not just the protagonist’s.

4. Religious and Cultural Identity

 In Hamlet, Christian concepts of sin, purgatory, and divine justice are central. In Haider, religion is handled with subtlety and inclusivity. The funeral rites, the graveyard scenes, and Roodar’s monologue on identity "I am river, I am forest... I am Pandit, I was, I am, and I will remain" express a composite Indian identity that transcends communal boundaries.

Cultural Shift: Haider adapts Hamlet’s philosophical inquiries into Indian metaphysics, Sufi thought, and political pluralism. Death and vengeance are not only individual concerns but existential dilemmas of a fractured nation.

5. The Theme of Revenge: Moral Resolution Over Bloodshed

• In Hamlet, revenge culminates in a violent bloodbath that reinforces the inevitability of tragedy.

• In Haider, the famous line, "इंतकाम से सिर्फ इंतकाम पैदा होता है" (Revenge only gives birth to revenge), reflects a moral awakening.

Cultural Message: The film subverts the revenge trope and offers a non-violent resolution, emphasizing forgiveness and breaking the cycle. This deviation aligns with Indian philosophical traditions (e.g., karma, ahimsa), making Haider not just a tragedy, but also a commentary on restorative justice.

6. Mother-Son Dynamic: An Oedipal Undertone Recast in Indian Sentiment

  While Hamlet hints at Oedipal tensions, Haider makes this emotionally and culturally resonant. A childhood memory where Haider says he would marry his mother is unsettling, yet filtered through Indian emotional expressiveness, not Freudian taboo. Ghazala’s final act—sacrificing herself—reflects deep maternal love, guilt, and agency, far beyond Gertrude’s passive role.

7. Theatricality and Folk Culture

• In Hamlet, the play-within-the-play ("The Mousetrap") is a device to reveal guilt.

• In Haider, this is replaced by a local "Bandh" troupe performing a politically charged skit, revealing truths about the system.

Cultural Insight: Using folk performance allows the story to critique oppression through satire, a tradition deeply embedded in Indian storytelling (e.g., nautanki, street theatre).

Conclusion

Here I have discussed about various Elizabethen plays adapted into Bollywood movies specifically Shakespeare's Plays and have made a detailed study of other great Literary faces and Eras into my own representation.

References:

Dr. Dilip Barad Blog on Rennaisance  

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