The Elizabethan World Picture: A Study of the Idea of Order in the Age of Shakespeare, Donne and Milton

This is a gem of a book that basically explores the Elizabethan way of viewing the world by examining popular literature and philosophies of the period.Quoting extensively from the likes of Shakespeare, Marlowe, Spenser and Sidney (among many others) and making reference to the Greek philosophers that influenced Elizabethan thought, particularly (pun intended) Plato, Tillyard explains the way people of the 15th and 16th centuries understood their relationship to the corporeal and spiritual world and how they established hierarchies of being from oysters through to lions; from paupers to kings. How these all existed in a complex and simple relationship, a chain of being within the cosmos. How this was all regarded as functioning within very ordered vertical and horizontal planes and within a deep religiosity, is also explored. While anyone familiar with Elizabethan literature and history will not be unfamiliar with Tillyard's ideas, it's the way they're explained and how literature and plays are used to both provide and support evidence that makes this book particularly delightful.I think the most surprising thing to come out of the text for me was Tillyard's summation that for all we think of the Elizabethan poets and dramatists as having some special relationship to their muses, the world and imagination, what they produced was quite "ordinary". What he means by this including the music of the spheres in a poem, or likening the queen to the sun or moon and stars, linking the macrocosm and microcosm - was rather commonplace thinking for the time. He is not diminishing the accomplishments of the poets etc but rather asking us to understand that all Elizabethans read the world in that way, so the language of Shakespeare, Milton and Marlowe etc. was speaking to like-minded people who lived and breathed the allusions rather than grasping at powerful and beautiful metaphors that prove elusive to so many now. While an obvious point, I loved reading it and have subsequently tried to read Spenser with that view of the world in mind. It really does change things and make them easier to grasp. Not as easy as I'd like, but for that to happen, I'd have to step back in time awhile. Now, where's my Tardis....?

Basically the book is a study of the ideas and beliefs shared amongst authors in the age of Shakespeare, Donne, and Milton (the theological trends of the 16th Century) and quotes many authors of that time to put together an intricate puzzle of the world picture and cosmic order in its divine harmony. Although Elizabethan (of English Renaissance Epoch) correspondencies are the same as Medieval, the Middle Ages used them more intellectually(like a mathematical formula) - occurring in Chaucer's "Astrolabe", where Hidgen the monk of Chester takes on the organization of the Universe with profound serenity; the Elizabethans allow for more passion and imagination, wonderfully full of fierce comparison. God is usually in the background sustaining the whole order of creation. In conclusion, there's more to divine order and the world picture that can be covered here - I urge you to study it by reading this amazing book. Elizabethan literature has great wealth of references to all possible ways of thinking about the stars, from our being merely the star's tennis-balls, to our faults not being in the stars but within ourselves.

A short & very good book that introduces the reader to the worldview of "pre-enlightenment" England & Europe. Remember that the authors goal was to contextualize the works of Shakespeare, Milton etc. It's the ancient classical platonic-hermetic view of reality, read through the Bible (olympian gods = judeo-christian angels. I would prefer if it had gone into more detail than it does, but there are other books for that purpose.

The only improvement could be a reference as there are a lot of different ideas. Despite being organized, it's often hard to isolate particulars which is frustrating when you need to find a quote.

Tillyard is a classic, must-read for people who are studying Shakespeare, Elizabethan Theatre and Tudor history. The emphasis is on the Elizabethan idea of position and rank. All people and creatures have a specific place in the hierarchy of the universe--all people, all things in their proper place. A short introduction that will whet you appetite for something bigger: David Bevington, perhaps?

This small classic is a MUST for all those interested in history and English literature. The Elizabethan World Picture by Tillyard provides an important insight into Elizabeth thought and customs. It will serve you well: whether you are reading Shakespeare, or the contemporary, brilliant trilogy by Hilary Mantel on Thomas Cromwell, (which has won two consecutive Booker awards). Highly recommend!

A relatively interesting book on the elements that made up of the Elizabethan worldview. It's given me a good insight into how people during those times see the world.

Perfect, fills in knowledge from the era.

An academic book that analyses how the Elizabethans viewed their place and culture in a post medieval world. An interesting and thorough account of Elizabethan life in transition between the medieval world and before the Age of Enlightment.

Really enjoyed this, easy to read, and discovered many poets and books I 'd like to read more about.

Very good quality, fast delivery. Thank you.

great second hand book, arrived punctually in excellent second hand condition aas described. No complaints with v. efficient supplier and for all those learning about the 16th century mind-set this classic book is a must.