Aristocratic Age
The year sixteen-hundred was part of the vibrant of the end of the Elizabethan era, especially in literature. William Shakespeare was pivoting into the most successful run of play in his career; he likely penned most of his tragedy, Hamlet, during this year; his plays were being performed, including the incandescent comedy, As You Like It, with the martial history, Henry V, likely having its first performance around this time. Ben Jonson’s influence was also beginning to be felt, though his major works would come later. The year saw the publication of England’s Helicon, an anthology of English poetry which included works by notable poets like Michael Drayton and Edmund Spenser, reflecting the poetic richness of the period.
In Spain, the Golden Age of Spanish literature was in full swing. Although 1600 doesn’t mark the publication of a major new work by Miguel de Cervantes (whose Don Quixote was published in 1605), his influence in the literary circles was undeniable. Lope de Vega, another titan of Spanish literature, was actively writing and his dramatic works were popular on stage. His El Maestro de Danzar was possibly performed around this time, showcasing his prolific output.
In Italy, the literary tradition continued with poets like Torquato Tasso, whose Jerusalem Delivered had been published earlier, but whose influence was still strong. The year 1600 saw the publication of La Gerusalemme Liberata in an illustrated edition, which further popularized Tasso’s epic. Moreover, the Baroque style was beginning to permeate literature, with Giambattista Marino, a key figure, gaining prominence.
In France, the transition from the Renaissance to the Baroque was underway. While 1600 might not be marked by a specific major literary event, the groundwork for French classicism was being laid by figures like Pierre de Ronsard, whose influence continued posthumously. The year marked the beginning of a period where French literature would start to see the emergence of the “précieuses” movement, focusing on refined language and manners in literature.
In Japan, the Edo period was just beginning, but literature was already flourishing with the haikai no renga (linked verse) poetry becoming popular. Matsunaga Teitoku was active, and his teachings would influence the later greats like Matsuo Basho. However, specific works from 1600 are less documented for Japan.
In the Mughal Empire (India), Persian was the court language, and literature in this language continued to thrive. While no specific works from 1600 are widely noted, poets like Urfi Shirazi were active, contributing to the rich tradition of Persian poetry under the patronage of Mughal rulers.