Shakespeare and republicanism
By: Andrew Hadfield.
Edition: 1st pbk. ed. (with corrections)
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Published: 2008
Place of publication: Cambridge; New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 363
ISBN-13: 9780521718004; 9780521816076
Subjects: Shakespeare, William, -- 1564-1616 -- Political and social views.; Republicanism -- England -- History -- 16th century.; Republicanism in literature.
Description: "Andrew Hadfield reveals for the first time exactly how Shakespeare was influenced by contemporary strands in political thought that were critical of the English crown and constitution. Shakespeare has often been seen as a conservative political thinker characterised by an over-riding fear of the 'mob'. Hadfield argues instead that Shakespeare's writing emerged out of an intellectual milieu fascinated by republican ideas. From the 1590s onwards, he explored republican themes in his poetry and plays: political assassination, elected government, alternative constitutions and, perhaps most importantly of all, the problem of power without responsibility. Beginning with Shakespeare's apocalyptic representation of civil war in the Henry VI plays, Hadfield provides a series of powerful new readings of Shakespeare and his time. For anyone interested in Shakespeare and Renaissance culture this book is required reading."--Jacket.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 314-355) and index.