James Shirley Life and Works | The Cardinal by James Shirley Characters, Summary, Analysis

James Shirley is a lesser-known English Renaissance playwright who enjoyed a successful career as a dramatist during the Caroline age of English literature and continued till 1642 when the Parliament suppressed and banned the stage plays. According to Charles Lambs, claims a place among the worthies of this period, not so much for any transcendent genius in himself, as that he was the last of a great race, all of whom spoke nearly the same language and had a set of moral feelings and notions in common." James Shirley was born in 1596 and died in 1666. He began as a dramatist in 1624 at the age of 28.
Shirley produced tragedies, city comedies, and tragicomedies with equal aplomb. Some of his major city comedies include The Witty Fair One, first performed in 1629, Hyde Park, first performed in 1632, and The Lady of Pleasure, first performed in 1635.
The Witty Fair One is a city comedy that broke the humor comedies pattern during the Jacobean age. This play is considered as the bridge of evolution between the humor comedies of Ben Jonson’s age and the Restoration age comedies of Wycherley and Congreve.
Hyde Park contains elements of naturalism. The Lady of Pleasure, like other dramas of Shirley, contains three plots, the main plot and two sub-plots. Shirley also used Thomas Kyd’s style of creating parallel contrasting characters namely Celestina and Aretina. Aphra Behn later used some elements and plotline of The Lady of Pleasure for her own drama The Lucky Chance during the Restoration period which was staged in 1686.
Some of the popular tragedies by James Shirley include The Maid’s Revenge (1626), Love’s Cruelty (1631), and The Cardinal, performed in 1641. We will discuss the characters and summary of The Cardinal.
So this is it about The Cardinal and James Shirley, the last of the great dramatists of the Jacobean and Caroline age. Now we will start discussing the works of Metaphysical poets in upcoming sections as we strive to offer a complete course for the preparation of UGC NET English literature, NTA NET English literature, PGTRB English,, SET English literature, TGT PGT English, GATE English Literature, and other exams.. Please stay connected with the Discourse, Thanks, and Regards!

[@ashitasavlin3404]

Thank you very much, sir.

[@Worshipsatch]

Why did Hernandez run away?

[@TheDiscourse]

Columbo actually defeated Hernando in the duel and got hold of both the swords. He was the winner. Hernando picked a sword of his dead companion and attacked Columbo when Columbo had already stopped fighting/taking guard. It was an act of Murder not a fight on equal terms. Then Columbo spoke to Hernando and actually forgave him. So Hernando was in moral and emotional dilemma. Plus he knew the Cardinal won't forgive. So he had to hide.

[@Worshipsatch]

@@TheDiscourse oh okay thanks!