18세기 셰익스피어: 영국 국가영웅 이미지

Abstract

Younglim HanThis paper explores three interconnected representations of Shakespeare in the eighteenth century: the Westminster Abbey statue of Shakespeare erected in 1741, David Garrick's Jubilee held in 1769, and John Boydell's Shakespeare Gallery founded in 1789. Shakespeare's statue had much to do with the advancement of Garrick's self-image in the Jubilee; Boydell employed Shakespeare as subject for history painting that was the most sublime of artistic genres. They were in line with the representation of Shakespeare in the history of his promotion as symbol of British national identity. They gave Shakespeare his cultural prominence in the period, mediating him to the public by the means of his images such as statues and portraits. The widespread popularity of images of Shakespeare became a part of the cultural and commercial activities of nationalism. The embodiment of Shakespeare as a national hero was bound up with the force of commercial, cultural and national endeavours.Also the paper observes that the eighteenth century tradition of worshiping Shakespeare's genius is kept in the current annual event of Shakespeare Birthday Celebrations held in Stratford-upon-Avon every April. Such aspects of the Jubilee as public orations and street procession of Shakespearean characters retain some influence over the anniversary of Shakespeare's birth and death: the Procession, the unfurling of the flags, and laying of floral tributes at his grave in Holy Trinity Church. This association demonstrates that the recognitions of Shakespeare as Britain's foremost pride and his home town as a site of pilgrimage are still intact even in the age of going towards globalization and multiculralism.