"Jacobean plays, before Shakespeare, were particularly visceral"

This quote by Christopher Eccleston is describing the plays written throughout the reign of King James I of England (1603-1625). These plays, which were composed prior to the works of William Shakespeare, were understood for their intense and brilliant depictions of violence and feeling. The Jacobean plays frequently included dark styles such as death, revenge, and betrayal, and were often quite gruesome in their representations of violence. These plays were understood for their realism and their capability to evoke strong feelings in the audience. The Jacobean plays were a major impact on the works of William Shakespeare, and their influence can be seen in much of his plays.