The Elizabethan World Picture

The Elizabethan World Picture by E. M. Tillyard, published by Peregrine Books in 1976, offers a concise exploration of the cosmological views held by the Elizabethans. This first edition, comprising 128 pages, delves into how their understanding of the universe, rooted in Platonic and Biblical traditions, shaped their perception of existence. Tillyard examines the hierarchical order of creation, from angels to man, and how this worldview influenced various aspects of their literature and philosophy.

In this study, readers will find an elucidation of complex concepts such as the four elements, celestial harmony, and the relationship between macrocosm and microcosm. Tillyard articulates how these ideas were perceived as a chain of being and a cosmic dance, providing clarity to many contemporary passages. The book serves as a resource for those interested in the intersection of English literature and early modern philosophical thought, shedding light on the religious and cosmological frameworks that informed the Elizabethan era.