Shakespeare's politic histories : the Italian connection / John H. Cameron.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Cameron, John H., author.

Contributor:

Horace Howard Furness Memorial Library (University of Pennsylvania)

Series:

Anglo-Italian Renaissance studies series

Anglo-Italian renaissance studies

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Politics in literature.

Historians--Italy--Influence.

Historians.

Historical drama, English--History and criticism.

Historical drama, English.

Chronicle plays of William Shakespeare.

Historians--Influence.

Influence (Literary, artistic, etc.).

Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616--Histories.

Shakespeare, William.

Machiavelli, Niccolò, 1469-1527--Influence.

Machiavelli, Niccolò.

Machiavelli, Niccolò, 1469-1527.

Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616.

Italy.

Genre:

Criticism, interpretation, etc.

Physical Description:

vi, 240 pages ; 24 cm.

Place of Publication:

New York : Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, 2024.

Biography/History:

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.

Summary:

"This book argues that these plays are informed by the Italian 'politic histories' of the early modern period, those works of history, inspired by the Roman historian Tacitus, that sought to explore the machinations of power politics in governance and in the shaping of historical events; that a close reading of these Italian 'politic histories' will greatly aid our understanding of the 'politic' qualities dramatized in Shakespeare's early English History plays; that the writings of Niccolò Machiavelli, above all, will likewise aid to such understanding; that, while these 'politic histories' were available (or at least known) to many English early modern writers, Shakespeare included, they are helpful more as grounds for political and strategic analogy than as an opportunity to ascertain particular points of direct influence. While a reading of the Italian 'politic' historians can aid in our understanding of Shakespeare's achievement, we should also regard the English History plays as 'politic histories' in their own right, i.e. as 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' also suggests new ways to read the plays and to interpret the motivation and action of its characters, ways that challenge some of our more established reading of the plays' 'Machiavellian' characters (particularly Richard III), that suggest far greater strategic acumen on the part of previously overlooked characters such as Buckingham and Stanley, and that provide a new way to read the history plays of Shakespeare's early career."-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Shakespeare’s politic histories : the Italian connection

The first tetralogy, Shakespeare’s politic history

‘Made I him king for this?’ : Buckingham and the choice of ministers

Stanley, the true machiavellian of Richard III

‘For few men right temper with the stars’ : Fortuna and Virtù – Conclusion : ‘My kingdom for a horse!’ : The Hollow Crown.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 203-235) and index.

Other Format:

Online version: Cameron, John H. Shakespeare's politic histories.

ISBN:

9781032523088

1032523085

9781032523095

1032523093

OCLC:

1384413858

Publisher Number:

90101165577