What happened in the 17th century?

The figure of Shakespeare belongs to the seventeenth century, when Elizabeth’s I reign and, afterwards, James develops. 

Portrait of Elizabeth I

Economically, in the beginning of this century, with Elizabeth's I reign, England goes from being a weak state to a world power, with a social and cultural prosperity.

In the social sphere, the government of Isabel I opted for the capitalist economy model and the formation of a new aristocratic class, composed of the landed gentry and the wealthy bourgeoisie. Also, in this century the bourgeois ideology, whose main fundaments were the idea of authority, order and security, is imposed. Additionally, Elizabeth I established Protestantism (one of the major branches of Christianity), fact that caused a great opposition.

Afterwards, James continued supporting Protestantism. This fact obliged him to exercise an absolutism government, meaning that the Parliament remained excluded. 

Wardrobe of 17th century.

As for the cultural framework, the English Renaissance is developed. This ideological movement replaced faith by reason, and placed the man in the centre of the universe (anthropocentrism).  

Theatre acquired a great development. It was renamed as “Elizabethan theatre “. The most important features of this type of theatre is the break of the classical precepts, the transgression of the units of time, place and action, alternation of prose and verse and mixing genres and social classes. William Shakespeare, worldwide known author, stood out in this field with plays like Hamlet, Macbeth or Hamlet. 

Elizabethan theatre.