코먼웰스 담론의 맥락에서 읽는 셰익스피어의 영국 사극
Reading Shakespeare’s English History Plays in the Context of Commonwealth Discourse
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This paper discusses Shakespeare’s use of commonwealth discourse in his history plays, drawing on Thomas Smith’s De Republica Anglorum (1583). Shakespeare’s history plays, popular in the 1590s, are set against the backdrop of the English commonwealth crisis. In Henry VI, Part 2, the Duke of Gloucester’s tragic death raises questions about the justice of the commonwealth, while popular protests seek justice, and Jack Cade’s rebellion, ridiculed for its comic elements, occasionally resonates with the audience through his intuitive remarks on the commonwealth. In Richard II, alongside popular protests against Richard’s tyranny, the king’s impeachment is sought by the commons in Parliament. He is ultimately depicted as being deposed through legal rule, embodying the principle of the commonwealth. In Henry IV, Part 2, Prince Hal, upon ascending the throne, affirms his respect for Parliament and the rule of law. In Henry V, the king in disguise engages with commoners, including the fourth sort, and, through debates with soldiers, gains insight into kingship. Shakespeare uses the theater as an experimental space to explore commonwealth discourse, allowing his history plays to reflect the evolution of his political thought. Reading these plays in this context provides a deeper understanding of Shakespeare’s political ideas and their development.
Abstract
This paper discusses Shakespeare’s use of commonwealth discourse in his history plays, drawing on Thomas Smith’s De Republica Anglorum (1583). Shakespeare’s history plays, popular in the 1590s, are set against the backdrop of the English commonwealth crisis. In Henry VI, Part 2, the Duke of Gloucester’s tragic death raises questions about the justice of the commonwealth, while popular protests seek justice, and Jack Cade’s rebellion, ridiculed for its comic elements, occasionally resonates with the audience through his intuitive remarks on the commonwealth. In Richard II, alongside popular protests against Richard’s tyranny, the king’s impeachment is sought by the commons in Parliament. He is ultimately depicted as being deposed through legal rule, embodying the principle of the commonwealth. In Henry IV, Part 2, Prince Hal, upon ascending the throne, affirms his respect for Parliament and the rule of law. In Henry V, the king in disguise engages with commoners, including the fourth sort, and, through debates with soldiers, gains insight into kingship. Shakespeare uses the theater as an experimental space to explore commonwealth discourse, allowing his history plays to reflect the evolution of his political thought. Reading these plays in this context provides a deeper understanding of Shakespeare’s political ideas and their development.