ENGL362 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Fathom, Peripheral Vision, Body Politic
Document Summary
We hate richard, but then we do not know if henry is any better. Ability to comment on the anxieties of the current time without worry of getting into trouble. Wrote about the newest monarchs first and worked his way back. History told through the lens of tragedy (vs. henry iv, which is history through the lens of comedy) Written entirely in verse/iambic pentameter (no one speaks in prose) Emphasis on formal, lyrical language (including language of ceremony and ritual) Overt symbolism richard as the sun/fire; bolingbroke as water/flood ( bullingbrook ) As in r&j, much attention is given to names and titles, as well as the ways that characters use and understand language differently. War of the roses still in peripheral vision (lots of turmoil and instability during those wars) Elizabeth i reign perceived as an effective ruler; prosperous age. Questions of who would follow the reign of elizabeth, since she never married/had children.
