Title: The philosopher's English king : Shakespeare's Henriad as political philosophy /
Authors: Craig, Leon Harold,
Year: 2015
Subjects: Shakespeare, William, Histories.; Shakespeare, William, Political and social views.; Shakespeare, William,; Historical drama, English History and criticism.; Kings and rulers in literature; Politics and literature Great Britain History; Politics and literature Great Britain History; Chronicle plays of William Shakespeare.; Historical drama, English; Kings and rulers in literature; Political and social views.; Politics and literature; Great Britain
Abstract: This book on Shakespeare's Henriad studies the tetralogy as a work of political thought. Leon Craig, author of two previous volumes on Shakespeare's political thought, argues that the four plays present Shakespeare's teaching on the problem of legitimacy, or who has the right to rule - one of the perennial questions of political philosophy. Offering original interpretations of each of the plays, Craig discusses the demise of divine right in Richard II, political upheaval and disputed rule in Henry IV, Parts 1 and 2, and the attempt to reestablish legitimacy on a new basis in Henry V. While focusing especially on the plays' various interpretive puzzles, Craig shows how the four plays constitute one narrative, culminating in the rule of England's most famous warrior king, Henry V, whose brilliant achievements were undone by ill fortune. Craig concludes with an epilogue on what might have been had Henry lived to consolidate his conquest of France and unify it with England under a single crown. Supported by a wealth of scholarship, both historical and critical, The Philosopher's English King makes a major contribution to the burgeoning scholarship on Shakespeare as a political thinker, providing further evidence for why the poet deserves to be recognized as a philosopher in his own right. -- from back cover.
Contents: Begins the woefullest division : The tragicr reign of King Richard II -- A punishing of mistreadings : The turbulent reign of King Henry IV proceeds -- The noble change long purposed : the turbulent Reign of King Henry IV concludes -- A curious mirror of christian king : The brief glorious reign of King Henry V -- An alternative epilogue : imagining what might have been.