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• April 4, 2025
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Studying English Literature is quite interesting because it introduces us to the various shades of life. There is so much richness in the characters introduced by prominent authors and dramatists. It feels like we are reading a fictional part of our becoming. What do you think? Yes! Definitely. We read our lives through characters. That’s the beauty of studying literature. Preparing for UGC-NET English Literature provides us with the opportunity of experiencing life through literary texts. It is not just about cracking exams, but holding on to something bigger than ourselves. Guess what’s bigger than ourselves? Not yet! It is existence itself. Literature gives words to existence. When we think of Elizabethan Age in English Literature, images of brilliance, grandness, and theatrical existence comes into being. We read closely about Shakespeare, Marlowe, Spenser. But we might overlook the presence of clowns. These are not red-nosed performers we see in our modern-day circuses, but clowns in Elizabethan England were vital to both royal courts and theatres. Hey! They were not like today’s stand-up comedians, they were licensed fools, cultural icons, and comic geniuses who embodied the spirit and wisdom of their age. Let’s unravel a bit more about them.

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What does clowning mean?

The Elizabethan Age in English Literature witnessed the performances of clowns like Tarlton and Kempe. But what does clowning mean? The history of clowning is like a jigsaw puzzle. The word means “clod,” “clot,” or ”lump,” the poor clod was considered a little bit superior to the village idiot. But clowns could be witty and cunning too! You must have definitely heard it from Prof. Vineet Pandey. Right!? Yes!

Tarlton is often considered the greatest clown of his time. He performed for Queen Elizabeth herself. He was not classically handsome, with a squint and crooked nose, but his ability to make people laugh earned him titles like Lord of Mirth. He wore rustic clothing, not the jester’s traditional cap and bells, and could lighten even the Queen’s darkest moods.

William Kempe followed Tarlton. He was a member of Shakespeare’s acting company and a part-owner of the famous Globe Theatre. Kempe was famous for his jigs—comic dances that were often added at the end of tragic plays. His most legendary stunt was a 23-day Morris Dance from London to Norwich in 1600, which earned him both a prize and a pension.

Reflections on a comic partnership

If you have explored Elizabethan Age in English Literature notes, you’ll notice how Shakespeare’s plays were never without a comic figure. In Hamlet, for instance, the graveyard scene where Hamlet speaks of Yorick, the King’s jester, is both touching and reflective of the high-status jesters held in court.

Yet, as brilliant as these performers were, they could also test the patience of playwrights. Shakespeare’s famous line from Hamlet—“Let those that play your clowns speak no more than is set down for them”—was likely aimed at the likes of Kempe, who often “ad-libbed” or improvised jokes on stage. Still, it’s this spontaneous wit that made them beloved by audiences.

Primary Features of Elizabethan Age

If you want to understand the role of clowns in the Elizabethan literature, you need to first know the characteristics of the Elizabethan Age:

1. Theatrical innovation: Performers had to be acrobats, singers, dancers, and comedians.
2. Language and wit: Elizabethans were clever and demonstrated a good sense of language. That’s why they loved playing with words.
3. Public performance: During the Elizabethan era, theatre was not just a form of artistic expression. Rather, it was a form of cultural expression too!
4. Licensed fools: Court jesters like Tarlton were not just entertainers but they were political commentators.

Elizabethan Age Writers and Their Works

While Tarlton and Kempe were not “writers” in the traditional sense, their performances influenced the greatest Elizabethan age writers, especially Shakespeare. They shaped characters like Feste (Twelfth Night), the Fool (King Lear), and Touchstone (As You Like It). These roles are more than comedic relief—they reveal truths about society, human nature, and the folly of kings.

If you’re looking for the best books on Elizabethan England, here are a few to deepen your understanding:

• “Shakespeare’s Clown” by David Wiles – A brilliant exploration of the clown’s evolution in Shakespearean theatre.
• “The Elizabethan World Picture” by E.M.W. Tillyard – Offers insights into the cosmic and social order that shaped the era.
• “Elizabethan Popular Theatre” by Michael Hattaway – A closer look at the world of street performers and stage artists.

Why Study Clowns in the Elizabethan Age?

To appreciate the richness of the Elizabethan age in English literature writers and their works, one must acknowledge the licensed fools, jesters, and clowns who added life, laughter, and layers of meaning to the period’s performances. They were not merely entertainers—they were social commentators, storytellers, and the unsung architects of English comic tradition.

So next time you dive into your Elizabethan poetry or reread a Shakespearean tragedy, look for the clown. You can also let us know your analysis of these Shakespearean fools in the comments.

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If you want to join UGC-NET online classes, contact our team now at Sahitya Classes. You will not just get proper guidance from Prof. Vineet Pandey but you will also receive quality UGC-NET English Literature notes and UGC-NET English notes pdf. Not just that! You will also receive guidance for Paper 1 from our expert faculty members along with UGC-NET Paper 1 notes. In case you need any other information, do connect with us! You can also download our App and check out free course material. After enrolling in our UGC-NET online classes, you will receive recorded live lectures, rapid-fire sessions, mock-tests, previous years’ question papers, and much more… So do not wait anymore. Join now to explore the depth of English Literature with the best UGC-NET coaching in Delhi.

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FAQs

1. What is the origin of clowning?

Clowning is as old as humanity itself. Its roots can be traced back to early human civilization, where even prehistoric people likely used humor, mimicry, and exaggerated gestures to entertain others. Ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome had their own versions of clowns.

2. What is the meaning of the word “clown”?

The word “clown” originally meant a “clod,” “clot,” or “lump”—essentially, a simpleton or someone slightly smarter than a village fool. Over time, it came to represent a witty, foolish character who brought laughter through comedy, satire, or antics.

3. Who were the clowns in Elizabethan England?

During the Elizabethan Age, clowns were prominent figures in theatre. Notable clowns included Richard Tarlton and William Kempe, both of whom were associated with Shakespeare’s acting company. They were known for their improvisational skills and their ability to entertain both commoners and royalty.

4. How were clowns different from jesters?

While both made people laugh, jesters were professional entertainers in royal courts, often licensed fools with the freedom to mock even kings. Clowns, especially in theatre, played rustic, foolish, or crafty characters who appealed to a broader audience.

5. What is the connection between Shakespeare and clowns?

Shakespeare often included clowns and jesters in his plays, both for comic relief and for delivering deeper truths. Characters like the Fool in King Lear, Touchstone in As You Like It, and the grave-digger in Hamlet reflect this tradition. He also famously cautioned actors not to overdo the improvisation in Hamlet—likely a gentle jab at real-life clowns like Kempe.

6. What is Commedia dell’Arte and how did it influence clowns?

Commedia dell’Arte was a theatrical tradition from 16th-17th century Italy, featuring masked actors who improvised around basic plots. Characters like Harlequin, Pierrot, and Punchinello influenced the development of modern clowns. This tradition shaped the physicality, costume, and roles of clowns in European theatre.

7. Who was Joseph Grimaldi and why is he important?

Joseph Grimaldi is considered the father of the modern clown. He transformed clowning into a more theatrical, emotionally complex art. Grimaldi combined characteristics of fools, jesters, and Harlequin-like figures into the archetype of the modern whiteface clown.

8. What were “jigs” in the Elizabethan theatre?

A “jig” was a lively song-and-dance performance typically staged at the end of a play, often led by the clown. It added humour after tragedies and was immensely popular with audiences in Elizabethan England.

9. Why were clowns so popular during the Elizabethan Age?

They brought comic relief, engaged directly with audiences, and often addressed social truths through satire. In an era when theatre was a major form of public entertainment, clowns were beloved for their wit, energy, and ability to comment on life in a humorous way.

10. What books can I read to learn more about clowns and Elizabethan theatre?

If you’re interested in exploring this subject further, here are a few best books on Elizabethan England and its theatrical traditions:

• Shakespeare and the Actor by John H. Astington
• The Elizabethan Stage by E.K. Chambers
• Shakespeare’s Clown by David Wiles
• The Elizabethan World Picture by E.M.W. Tillyard
• The Elizabethan Age by Neville Williams

These titles explore not just clowning but also the characteristics of the Elizabethan Age, including Elizabethan poetry, literary writers, and theatre culture.

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