Shakespeare's Politics - Professor Sir Jonathan Bate FBA

TL;DR

Shakespeare's plays, influenced by classical antiquity, explore themes of civil war, political turmoil, and the code of honor.

Transcript

good evening everybody welcome to the fourth of my aggression lectures on how Shakespeare's imagination was shaped by the inheritance of classical antiquity huge thank you to all of you here in the auditorium for turning out on such a cold night and welcome to to those of you who have decided to sit by your far sides and watch it on the livestream ... Read More

Key Insights

• ▶️ Shakespeare's plays were shaped by classical antiquity and explored themes of civil war, political turmoil, and the code of honor.
• 🖐️ The English history plays were influenced by the "Wars of the Roses" and portrayed civil unrest in a similar fashion to ancient Rome.
• 🇨🇫 Cicero's ideas on civil war and the Republic were central to Shakespeare's exploration of political strife and the consequences of power.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why does Shakespeare's lecture focus on Cicero and Roman politics?

Shakespeare's lecture explores how Shakespeare's plays, particularly Julius Caesar and Coriolanus, were influenced by Cicero's ideas on civil war and the Republic.

Q: How did the English history plays connect with the idea of the "Wars of the Roses"?

The English history plays, particularly Henry VI Part 2, were influenced by the concept of the "Wars of the Roses" as a national catastrophe, drawing parallels with the aristocratic division in ancient Rome.

Q: What was the influence of Cicero and Caesar on Shakespeare's plays?

Shakespeare used the concept of civil war and the dichotomy between civil and foreign wars, inspired by Cicero and Julius Caesar, to explore the consequences of political turmoil and the code of honor.

Q: How did Cicero's rhetoric play a role in Julius Caesar?

Cicero's persuasive oratory and the transformative power of rhetoric were reflected in Brutus's speeches, highlighting the importance of honesty, mercy, and loyalty to friends.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Shakespeare's imagination was shaped by classical antiquity, particularly by figures like Cicero and Julius Caesar.

• The English history plays explore religious wars, civil unrest, and the notion of a "public good."

• The concept of civil war and its consequences are central to Shakespeare's works.