<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p> The paper looks at the way in which the notion of queenship - in connection or in contrast with that of kingship and royalty in general - is reflected in Shakespeare’s historical tetralogies and in Henry VIII. It is argued that all royal figures, male and female, featured in these plays, are presented by Shakespeare in accordance not only with Tudor historiography, but also with Elizabeth I’s own strategies of self-representation. Thus, the major notions to be looked into are virtue, legitimacy, agency, as well as, more generally, early modern religious and political issues concerning gender relations</p></abstract>

The paper looks at the way in which the notion of queenship - in connection or in contrast with that of kingship and royalty in general - is reflected in Shakespeare’s historical tetralogies and in Henry VIII. It is argued that all royal figures, male and female, featured in these plays, are presented by Shakespeare in accordance not only with Tudor historiography, but also with Elizabeth I’s own strategies of self-representation. Thus, the major notions to be looked into are virtue, legitimacy, agency, as well as, more generally, early modern religious and political issues concerning gender relations

Queenship, Power, and Elizabethan Mentalities in Shakespeare’s Histories

Romanian Journal of English Studies

{"article-title":"Queenship, Power, and Elizabethan Mentalities in Shakespeare\u2019s Histories"}

The paper looks at the way in which the notion of queenship - in connection or in contrast with that of kingship and royalty in general - is reflected in...

Queenship, Power, and Elizabethan Mentalities in Shakespeare’s Histories

Published Online: Feb 22, 2013

Page range: 253 - 262

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/rjes-2013-0024

Keywords
agency, gender relations, legitimacy, queenship, Tudor England, virtue

This content is open access.

Queenship, Power, and Elizabethan Mentalities in Shakespeare’s Histories

Published Online: Feb 22, 2013

Page range: 253 - 262

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/rjes-2013-0024

Keywordsagency, gender relations, legitimacy, queenship, Tudor England, virtue

This content is open access.

Keywords
agency, gender relations, legitimacy, queenship, Tudor England, virtue