The New Elizabethans

Edward Bond ‘The Third Crisis: Drama and Civilization ’

“The first Elizabethan age ended with the discovery of brave new worlds (and incidentally the joining up of the United Kingdom). We are certainly on the edge of vast new unprecedented worlds, cosmic changes in culture, economy and society (and ironically the possible dissolution of the United Kingdom). But are our new worlds brave, cowardly, explorative or degenerative? It could be said the old Elizabethans plundered the new worlds. Perhaps now we can only plunder ourselves and call it trade."

In response to the above quote, I have researched three public figures that I believe to be the New Elizabethans.  These are people that I feel have influenced and changed the world, or aspects of it, and whose influences I believe to be permanent on the world around us.  The three figures that I have chosen as my New Elizabethans are; Roald Dahl, Margaret Thatcher and Steve Jobs.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/booknews/7931835/Roald-Dahl-was-
a-real-life-James-Bond-style-spy-new-book-reveals.html

Roald Dahl is undoubtedly a New Elizabethan.  Roald Dahl was a children’s author who wrote many brilliant, famous, novels for children, of which include the likes of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda and The BFG.  He has changed the face of children’s narratives through his use of character’s and the illustrations that often accompany the words on the page.  Dahl’s books are always interesting to read and they have grabbed the attention of many youngsters over the years, and they continue to do so now.  I think that Roald Dahl is considered to be a New Elizabethan because his books, in my opinion, are timeless and will continue to be read by the young generations of the future.

http://www.citelighter.com/history/history/knowledgecards/margaret-thatcher

Margaret Thatcher is also an obvious figure to think of when confronted with the idea of the New Elizabethans.  Not only was she the first, and only, woman Prime Minister of England, she also changed a lot within the country, much to the controversial opinion, which was divided between the north and south of the country.  Thatcher was a woman who never backed down, she never gave in to the union strikes or terrorist threats of the IRA, and she was known as the 'Iron Lady' because of this.  She was a woman of strong character and I believe that she gave women the confidence and courage to keep going.
This makes her a New Elizabethan because she changed the way that women view themselves.  Without really meaning to, Thatcher gave a lot of women confidence to strive to be better at what they do and better people in general.

http://www.ibtimes.com/steve-jobs-action-figure-apple-ceo-model-eerily-realistic-photos-709336

Steve Jobs is also an unmistakable New Elizabethan.  Having created the company Apple and invented the iPod, Jobs created a worldwide name for himself.  There are very few people in the world today that are without a product that is branded with the iconic Apple logo.  Even after his death in 2011, the company is still releasing new products, proving to us all that he is a New Elizabethan and that he has influenced the world through creating this multi-million company.  I believe that his creations will continue to sell worldwide to millions more people in future years.