Elizabethan Presentation of the Islamic Script: A Socio-cultural Understanding

Abstract

The Arabic Qur’?n entered Europe through Spain with Muslim conquerors in the eighth century. Though the Elizabethan treaties about Islam introduced the Qur’?nic teachings, Prophet Muhammad’s mission was rejected, and he was announced a false prophet. In Elizabethan literature, this anti-Islamic information is intently expressed against the Prophet and the Qur’?n. Crimes and evil characteristics are imputed to the stereotypes of the Moors and Turks. These evil traits are referred to the Muslims’ culture as they are represented being imbedded in the Qur’?n. Some Elizabethan dramatists have developed their interest in the Qur’?nic theology. It has been depicted to the Elizabethan audience that Qur’?n justifies the Turkish imperialism. For Marlowe, smashing or burning copies of the Qur’?n is a symbol of personal revenge and attack on religion.

Keywords: Koran, Qur’?n, Muhammad, translation, Saracen, divinity, conversion, Elizabethan literature.