Shakespeare's Politic Histories

The Italian Connection
1. Auflage 2023
ISBN: 978-1-032-52308-8
Verlag: Routledge

Buch, Englisch, 248 Seiten, Format (B × H): 157 mm x 235 mm, Gewicht: 518 g

Reihe: Anglo-Italian Renaissance Studies

This book posits that Shakespeare’s First Tetralogy draws inspiration from the Italian “politic histories” of the early modern period. These works of history, influenced by the Roman historian Tacitus, delve into the exploration of the machinations of power politics in governance and the shaping of historical events. The argument is that closely analysing these Italian “politic histories” can significantly enhance our understanding of the “politic” aspects dramatized in Shakespeare’s early English History plays. Specifically, the writings of Niccolo Machiavelli are highlighted as contributing to this understanding. These “politic histories” were accessible (in a variety of forms) to many English early modern writers, including Shakespeare. Thus, they serve as foundation for political and strategic analogies, enriching our interpretation of Shakespeare’s politic histories.

While delving into the Italian “politic” historians can illuminate Shakespeare’s achievement, it is suggested that we should regard the English History plays as “politic histories” in their own right. In essence, they are dramatized versions of precisely the same kinds of “politic” historical writing, with its emphasis on ragion di Stato or raison d’état. This emphasis on what the Elizabethans called “stratagems” introduces new approaches to interpreting the plays. Considering the motivation and action of its characters entails novel approaches that challenge the established reading of the plays’ ‘Machiavellian’ characters (particularly Richard III) and shed light on previously overlooked characters (particularly Buckingham and Stanley), revealing their considerably greater strategic acumen. This exploration provides fresh avenues for reading the Shakespeare’s politic histories and better appreciate their Italian connection.

Zielgruppe

Postgraduate

Autoren/Hrsg.

Cameron, John H.

Fachgebiete

• Geisteswissenschaften Literaturwissenschaft Englische Literatur
• Geisteswissenschaften Literaturwissenschaft Literaturwissenschaft: Dramen und Dramatiker
• Geisteswissenschaften Literaturwissenschaft Literarische Strömungen & Epochen
• Sozialwissenschaften Politikwissenschaft Politikwissenschaft Allgemein
• Geisteswissenschaften Literaturwissenschaft Literarische Stoffe, Motive und Themen

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Acknowledgements

Introduction

1 Shakespeare’s Politic Histories: The Italian Connection

Politic Histories, Politic Stratagems

The Prince: A Prolegomena

Gracing My Stratagems: Politic Drama

2 The First Tetralogy, Shakespeare’s Politic History

Things Not as They Ought to Be, but as They Truly Are

Might vs. Right

Trust and Distrust

The Fox and the Lion

With silence, be politic: Waiting for the Right Moment

Weakness and Cruelty

3 ‘Made I him king for this?’: Buckingham and the Choice of Ministers

Choosing the Right Minister, Choosing the Right Prince

Give us notice of his inclinations: The Use of Spies

Playing the Orator, Playing the Crowd

Stops he now for breath? The Limits of Politic Stratagems

4 Stanley, the True Machiavellian of Richard III

Stanley, the Quiet Machiavellian

What think’st thou, then, of Stanley? Hiding One’s Intentions

Look unto it: Failing to See Past the Surface

What says Lord Stanley? Choosing the Right Moment

5 ‘For few men right temper with the stars’: Fortuna and Virtù

Tempering with the stars

Fortune Favours the Bold: The Nature of Virtù

Fortuna vs. Virtù, or Fortuna and Virtù?

Conclusion ‘My kingdom for a horse!’: The Hollow Crown

My kingdom for a horse! The Hollow Crown

For one commanding all, obey’d by none: Some Closing Thoughts

Bibliography

Index

Über Autor(innen)

John H. Cameron teaches English Literature at Saint Mary’s University as well as German and Russian Literature at Dalhousie University. He is the editor of Narrative is the Essence of History and co-editor (with Goran Stanivukovic) of a special issue of Forum for Modern Language Studies that explores the development of comedy across different theatrical traditions (July 2022). He is the co-author (with Goran Stanivukovic) of Tragedies of the English Renaissance.