Shakespeare and the Jacobean Era

The reign of James I was the time of disillusionment and pessimism. The English expected stability and security from the new king and felt let down when he appeared to be less of a man than his predecessor, Elizabeth I, was. Even though James I despised war he thought himself to be the king of kings. He considered himself a Solomon-like figure, his wisdom rising above the law (coming down to London from Scotland he had a cutpurse hanged without trial in Newark because he had found the man guilty). He was given to homosexuality, and interested in witchcraft. The only thing he liked about En…