ENGLISH

Shakespeare and Republicanism

By Andrew Hadfield

Book information

Publisher
Cambridge University Press
Year
2005
ISBN
0521816076, 9780521816076
LCC
PR3017 .H28 2008
Open Library ID
OL18608752M
Language
english
Format
PDF
Filesize
3 MB (3005414 bytes)
Pages
380\379
Time added
2011-04-18 11:31:18

Description

Andrew Hadfield reveals for the first time exactly how Shakespeare was influenced by contemporary strands in political thought critical of the English crown. Although he was often seen as a conservative political thinker characterized by an over-riding fear of the 'mob', Hadfield argues that Shakespeare's writing actually 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.

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