Economic growth and social stability in the late sixteenth century brought unprecedented prosperity to the city of London. As Thomas Platter observed in 1599, most of the inhabitants were employed in commerce, and mer...Economic growth and social stability in the late sixteenth century brought unprecedented prosperity to the city of London. As Thomas Platter observed in 1599, most of the inhabitants were employed in commerce, and merchants accumulated their wealth. After his accession to the throne, King James generously distributed honors to wealthy merchants and others. Titles became a salable commodity. The sale of honors impaired respect for the titles and aroused bitter feelings and contempt for knighthood and baronetage among citizens. Gentlemen and ladies who suddenly rose to dignity tried to act suitably in their new status and dressed themselves up; yet they often became the subject for laughter. These upstarts were represented in contemporary dramas as ridiculous, contemptuous, and ill-mannered. The fancifully-dressed “city clowns” who came into being in the first decades of the seventeenth century, were found not only on stage but also in and outside of theaters.展开更多
文摘Economic growth and social stability in the late sixteenth century brought unprecedented prosperity to the city of London. As Thomas Platter observed in 1599, most of the inhabitants were employed in commerce, and merchants accumulated their wealth. After his accession to the throne, King James generously distributed honors to wealthy merchants and others. Titles became a salable commodity. The sale of honors impaired respect for the titles and aroused bitter feelings and contempt for knighthood and baronetage among citizens. Gentlemen and ladies who suddenly rose to dignity tried to act suitably in their new status and dressed themselves up; yet they often became the subject for laughter. These upstarts were represented in contemporary dramas as ridiculous, contemptuous, and ill-mannered. The fancifully-dressed “city clowns” who came into being in the first decades of the seventeenth century, were found not only on stage but also in and outside of theaters.
