• THE COURT, THE NOBILITY AND THE MONARCH S RESPONSIBILITIES IN SHAKESPEARE S ELIZABETHAN HISTORY PLAYS

    Author(s):
    Murat Öğütcü (see profile)
    Date:
    2016
    Group(s):
    CLCS Renaissance and Early Modern, LLC Shakespeare
    Subject(s):
    Literature and history, Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616
    Item Type:
    Article
    Tag(s):
    History and literature, Shakespeare
    Permanent URL:
    http://dx.doi.org/10.17613/M65P90
    Abstract:
    Abstract After 1588, several socio-political and economic problems appeared in the Elizabethan society. These problems were aggravated by Elizabeth I’s desire to live royally without responsibility. The correlation between good government and the responsibility of monarchs was emphasised in the literature of the period, as well. Particularly, the depiction of capable and incapable monarchs on the stage and in printed versions of plays made that correlation very topical. For instance, Shakespeare’s Elizabethan history plays depicted monarchs like Henry VI, Richard II or Henry IV who disused or misused their powers and created socio-political problems. The depiction of a possibly good government was depicted through Shakespeare’s Henry V. Henry V’s definition of responsibilities provided solutions for the failings of the system. The depictions of these fictive monarchs, on the other hand, might have been read by the contemporary Elizabethan audiences in relation with their own problems. Thus, this article will analyse to what extend Shakespeare’s Elizabethan history plays reflected contemporary issues about the responsibility of monarchs. Keywords: Elizabethan Period, Shakespeare, History Plays, Responsibility of Monarchs.
    Metadata:
    Published as:
    Journal article    
    Status:
    Published
    Last Updated:
    6 years ago
    License:
    Attribution
    Share this:

    Downloads

    Item Name: pdf ogutcu_murat.pdf
      Download View in browser
    Activity: Downloads: 97