‘Death be not proud’: drama’s solace

The chapter begins with the official betrothal of Elizabeth and Frederick on 27 December. At last the period of mourning had ended, and the court could proceed with plans for the wedding. The nineteen plays, presented at court from Christmas to February, constitute a kind of ‘antidote’ or ‘solace’ to the grief that had gripped the court and nation. These performances create a bridge, a translation, that leads away from sorrow to the joy of Elizabeth’s wedding. The chapter discusses all the plays performed, including works by Dekker, Shakespeare, Beaumont and Fletcher, and Jonson. Shakespeare’s plays range across all dramatic genres. The King’s Men, Shakespeare’s acting company under the patronage of King James, performed most of the plays at court in this season.