Early modern kings adopted a new style of government, Realpolitik, as spelled out in Machiavelli's writings. Tudor monarchs, well aware of their questionable right to the throne, posed as great dissimulators, similarly to the modern prince who "must...
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Universitätsbibliothek der Eberhard Karls Universität
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Early modern kings adopted a new style of government, Realpolitik, as spelled out in Machiavelli's writings. Tudor monarchs, well aware of their questionable right to the throne, posed as great dissimulators, similarly to the modern prince who "must learn from the fox and the lion". This book paints a portrait of a successful politician according to early modern standards. Kingship is no longer understood as a divinely ordained institution, but is defined as goal-oriented policy-making, relying on conscious acting and the theatrical display of power. The volume offers an intriguing discussion General introduction -- Part one: Power, kingship and history in the English Renaissance -- Introduction: Critical approaches to power, kingship and history in the English Renaissance -- Power, politics and the Elizabethan world picture in early modern England -- The Renaissance idea of kingship -- Shakespeare and the question of history -- part two: Is this kingship for real? Being a king, playing a king -- Introduction: Shakespeare's kings on stage, and Queen Elizabeth's role play in real life -- "A woeful pageant have we here beheld": actors on stage in Richard III and Richard II -- "I am Richard II, know ye not that?": Queen Elizabeth I and her political role playing -- part three. Power and pragmatics in action in Shakespeare's histories -- Introduction: Pragmatic strategies of performing kingship in the history plays -- The theoretical grounding of politeness and impoliteness -- "Charismas in conflict" in their struggle for power -- The pragmatics of politics and the reformation of Prince Hal in 1 and 2 Henry IV and Henry V conclusion.
