Theater's Twilight: A Historicist Analysis of Dramatic Decline of English Drama

Abstract

Decline of drama in mid-16th century is usually studied with a particular reference to the role of Puritanical opposition of theatre as if it was the sole major factor sealing the fate of drama after Shakespeare. This paper, however, contends that although the Puritans’ anti-theatre ideas were certainly significant and influential but the decline of drama was actually fueled by a plethora of socio-historical, philosophical and aesthetic factors e.g. death of William Shakespeare, the British Civil Wars (1642-1651), the impact of the Great Plague of London, Great Fire of London, censorship especially Robert Walpole’s the Licensing Act, opposition of Puritans as well as the lack of genius writers, that led to the sudden fall of English Drama early 17th century.