Jacobean Drama – Boardwalk Empire
When Jacobean drama was defined for me, I automatically thought of one of my favorite TV shows “Boardwalk Empire”. It just so happened that the example in class, for Jacobean drama, was this show as well. Boardwalk Empire, I feel, embodies the definition of Jacobean drama, as it constantly consists of drastic and dramatic events. The show takes place during the beginning of the Prohibition era, which is around the 1920’s. The main character is Enoch Thompson, and he is based on a historical political criminal Enoch Johnson. Enoch is part of the largest bootlegging organizations, this legal action is one of its many Jacobean drama attributes. Enoch throughout the episodes becomes one of the largest traffickers of illegal alcohol through murder, physical intimidation, and strategically decision within the Atlantic City government system.
Other legal actions includes the murder of Enoch’s future wife’s former husband. Enoch’s future wife, Margaret, has a miscarriage due to the physical abuse her husband. Enoch becomes enraged by these actions and orders his brother, Eli, to murder Margaret’s husband, which he does. After the husband’s death, beginnings to get romantically involved with Enoch.
Another scene that portrays Jacobean drama is the scene that was used as an example in class. This scene involves incestuous acts committed by Enoch’s driver and henchmen Jimmy Darmody. His incestuous affair evolved him and his mother, Gillian. Gillian was the aggressor in these acts as Jimmy seemed to be a bit more reserved. Through her seduction, she would advise him on how to plot against Enoch, so he and his father, the Commodore, can take over Enoch’s empire. Another twist to this scenes drastic events is that the Commodore had committed statutory rape on Jimmy’s mother, as she was only 13 years old when the Commodore engaged in sexual actions with her
Another dramatic event, I believe takes place in the second season, which is Jimmy’s attempt to murder Enoch. In this scene, Gillian strive for power leads her to make her son, Jimmy, order one of his men to kill Jimmy. Jimmy struggles with his mother request, because Enoch served as sort of a father figure to Jimmy since his relationship with his father wasn’t very existent in his younger years.
Jimmy struggles with his decisions, but eventually succumbs to his mother’s “influence”. The orders are sent and Enoch is confronted by Jimmy’s gunmen, who is instructed to shot and kill Enoch. The gunmen fails to kill Enoch and is only able to shot his hand, which results in a massive war between Enoch and the Commodore. This war leads to massive murders that are graphically demonstrated on the show. Each faction struggles for control until the last few episodes of the season.
Towards the end of the season, Jimmy begins to lose control and power, due to his father suffering a massive heart attack which has left him with limited brain functionality. This leads to politicians to question Jimmy’s father’s empire because of the Commodores current state. Jimmy becomes discouraged with his plans for control and confronts Enoch with piece in mind. The rest can be found on NetFlix…..
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