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I Elizab. v James A

effective sovereignty, esp. re challenges to royal authority addressed in Hamlet , Meas. For Meas . – significant ques. re proper rule history plays also imp. -- more optimistic, heroic view of sovereignty with the tragedies. . . not so much. Chart. Week 14 / Lecture 1 Thursday.

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I Elizab. v James A

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  1. effective sovereignty, esp. re challenges to royal authority • addressed in Hamlet, Meas. For Meas. – significant ques. re proper rule • history plays also imp. -- more optimistic, heroic view of sovereignty • with the tragedies. . . not so much Chart Week 14 / Lecture 1 Thursday I Elizab. v James A I. Ideals of Sovereignty: Elizabeth v. James • effective sovereignty, esp. re challenges to royal authority • history plays focus so far, king’s 2 bodies, • the Henriad provides a more optimistic, heroic view of sovereignty • with the tragedies. . . not so much Queen Eliz. I’s style of rule (1558–1603) • theatrical, she enjoyed being among her people • always at center of an elaborate spectacle • she’s always playing a role, as advised by Machiavelli • her visibility is a means of fostering intimacy with her people • political rhetoric of kinship, as a mother to her citizens • also appropriates chivalric language of love and devotion, “Cult of Elizabeth” • at the end of her reign: great anxiety about the succession

  2. effective sovereignty, esp. re challenges to royal authority • addressed in Hamlet, Meas. For Meas. – significant ques. re proper rule • history plays also imp. -- more optimistic, heroic view of sovereignty • with the tragedies. . . not so much Chart Week 14 / Lecture 1 Thursday I Elizab. v Jam es B I. Ideals of Sovereignty: Elizabeth v. James Transition to King James I (1603–1625) • 1606 when King Lear is performed, James has been on throne for 3 years • he has also been King of Scotland since 1587, he’s not new to the job • thus a very reassuring person to take the seat of power • he’s male, seasoned ruler, an adult, he has a male heir BUT. . . • style of rule is very different from Elizabeth, a bit alienating AND. . . • he is Scottish and thus an “outsider,” an Other

  3. Week 14 / Lecture 1 Thursday II James’ style of rule Chart II. King James I’s style of rule • not based on highly public, theatrical presentation of the monarch • “mystification”: King Henry IV’s advice: better to conceal oneself, avoid having too much contact with the common people • make royal power seem mysterious & inaccessible • problems of his “Otherness” or alienness: • THUS. . . he was very far from the iconic, disciplined, physically invulnerable sovereign, etc. • Scottish, ethnically inferior to the English • accent means speaking publicly is a problem • small in stature, physically awkward, perhaps lame • believed to be an alcoholic • very fond of attractive young men, or “favorites” III. King James I’s Theory of Kingship • divine right: the idea that the king is God’s representative on earth

  4. Week 14 / Lecture 1 Thursday III. Divine Right / Absolutism III. King James I’s Theories of Kingship Chart (1) theory of “divine right” • Basilikon Doron: his political treatise, guide for his son, Prince Henry • the idea that the king is God’s representative on earth • neither Parliament nor the people can remove a king from power • kingship must therefore be inherited, cannot be elected or chosen • bloodlines become the primary means of determining who has the right to inherit political rule (which is more complicated than it seems) (2) monarchical absolutism • consequence of the first doctrine: the king’s authority is absolute • optimistic view: his powers are “perfect, complete, unrestricted” • we should be able to rely on that since he IS God’s appointed • he is also above the law, Parliament cannot restrict his powers • realistic view: some kings turn out to be tyrants, financially irresponsible, but . . . they are still divinely authorized • the people must simply suffer his tyranny or bad rule • he may be the sign of God’s displeasure with a particular nation

  5. Week 14 / Lecture 1 Thursday IV. Analogies of Rule IV. Analogies of Rule divine model political marital familial anatomical (cosmos) God humankind (commonwealth) King English people (domestic) husband wife (household) father/master children & servants (body) head, mind body

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