1. The Monarch and Court:
* King James I: As the reigning monarch, he heavily influenced the period's political climate and the arts. His own literary works, his promotion of the King James Bible, and his interest in witchcraft and magic all shaped the era.
* The Royal Court: This was the center of power, and the nobility and courtiers were major patrons of the arts, including literature.
2. Playwrights and Poets:
* The Jacobean Dramatists: This group, known for their intense, often tragic, and sometimes darkly comedic plays, includes:
* William Shakespeare: While his later works fall within the Jacobean period, he was already a major figure by the time James I took the throne.
* Ben Jonson: Considered the leading playwright of the Jacobean era, known for his satirical and intellectual comedies.
* John Webster: Known for his dark tragedies, such as "The Duchess of Malfi."
* John Ford: Often explored themes of love, honor, and revenge in his plays.
* Thomas Middleton: Master of both tragedy and comedy, known for plays like "The Changeling."
* Francis Beaumont & John Fletcher: Their collaborative works dealt with themes of love, adventure, and social satire.
* John Donne: A prominent metaphysical poet of the period, known for his complex imagery and exploration of love and mortality.
* George Herbert: Another metaphysical poet, known for his devotional poetry.
* The Cavalier Poets: These poets, often associated with the royalist cause during the English Civil War, wrote lyrical and often lighthearted poetry, often praising the king and the aristocratic life.
3. The Audience:
* The Jacobean Public: This includes everyone from the wealthy patrons who attended plays at the Globe Theatre to the general populace who attended the cheaper, more popular playhouses. They played a role in shaping the direction of drama and literature.
4. Social and Political Context:
* Religious Tensions: The period saw growing tension between the established Church of England and Puritanism, which impacted literature.
* The Gunpowder Plot: This event, a Catholic attempt to assassinate James I in 1605, had a profound impact on English society and shaped perceptions of Catholics.
* The English Civil War: While the war began after the Jacobean period, the political and social upheavals of the time had a significant impact on the literary and cultural landscape.
While it's impossible to encompass everyone, these are some of the key individuals and groups that helped to define the Jacobean period in British literature. Remember that this was a time of great change and dynamism, with a diverse range of writers and audiences contributing to the unique character of the era.