Early Drama and Gorboduc
Early English drama evolved from medieval mystery and morality plays into more structured forms during the Renaissance. A key transitional work was Gorboduc (1561), written by Thomas Norton and Thomas Sackville, the first English tragedy in blank verse.
Significance of Gorboduc
First English Tragedy: Though influenced by Senecan drama, it moved beyond classical imitation with political themes relevant to Elizabethan England.
Blank Verse: It introduced unrhymed iambic pentameter, later perfected by Marlowe and Shakespeare.
Political Warning: The play’s depiction of a kingdom divided by succession disputes mirrored concerns over Queen Elizabeth I’s lack of an heir.
Plot and Themes
Plot: King Gorboduc divides Britain between his sons, Ferrex and Porrex, leading to civil war, fratricide, and chaos.
Themes:
Dangers of disunity (reflecting Tudor anxieties).
Consequences of flawed leadership.
Fate vs. human folly.
Dramatic Structure
Five-Act Model: Following classical precedent, it established a structure later adopted by Shakespeare.
Chorus and Dumb Shows: Retained elements of medieval drama while innovating in political storytelling.
Legacy
Though stiff in dialogue compared to later tragedies, Gorboduc was a crucial step toward Elizabethan drama’s golden age. Its blend of classical form and national political commentary paved the way for playwrights like Marlowe and Shakespeare.
By merging Senecan tragedy with English concerns, Gorboduc marked the beginning of a new era in Renaissance theatre.