If a man represents himself as something that deviates the slightest from his true self, is that not in itself an act of manipulation?
Today’s speech in regards to Module C will discuss how all representations of people and politics are undoubtedly acts of manipulation as true political agendas must be hidden behind a misleading facade. Language plays a particularly powerful role in portraying these political representations. However ambiguous the political motive may be, control is the ultimate goal in the world of politics. Contrary to popular belief, not all acts of manipulation are inherently immoral. The exploration of King Henry IV, Part One (1596-1597), the second historical play of the Henriad, by William Shakespeare, will facilitate …show more content…
Such an attempt to veil political motivations can be seen in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s (RSC) interpretation of Act 2, Scene 4, directed by Gregory Doran. Doran’s representation of this scene serves to present a dramatic, visual performance, but also to demonstrate his shared perspective of Shakespeare’s political views. The characterisation of Falstaff as a static character is a foil to King Henry, where the juxtaposition is apparent between the honourable and utilitarian yet politically ambiguous figures, versus the vulgar yet honest ‘human’. Moreover, Falstaff satirises King Henry IV’s legitimacy and how he presents himself, as he says, “Give me a cup of sack to make my eyes look red, that it may be thought I have wept, for I must speak in passion...”, the motif of ‘sack’ being associated with irresponsibility and frivolity as a result of Falstaff’s characterisation. Furthermore, Falstaff continues the meta-play, satirising the King’s way of speech through his role-playing: “I do not speak to thee in drink, but in tears; not in pleasure, but in passion; not in words only, but in woes also”. Again, the allusion to alcohol and its connotations makes mockery of people in politics. In addition, the contrast between emotive qualities and (pleasure versus passion) suggests that Falstaff has …show more content…
It is therefore crucial that they understand that Shakespeare’s use of manipulation not immoral but aims to position his audience to see a different aspect of a political figure. Shakespeare’s intention for positioning the audience to view Prince Hal as a heroic figure was to please Queen Elizabeth. She remained in control of any role-play which took place under her rule. The similarities between herself and Prince Hal exemplifies the many Elizabethan Shakespeare plays containing a reflection of herself. Thus, the heroic and lovable portrayal of Prince Hal hides his conflicting views on Queen Elizabeth, where the Queen was in a neutral position when it came to wars, and other times where she was able to consolidate stability in England. Shakespeare initially presents a bad impression of Hal to the audience as being brash and irresponsible. However, it is in Act 1, Scene 2, where he presents his individual perspective that his behaviour and company is a tool for him in presenting a deliberate persona in order to later reveal himself as a reflective and redemptive model of kingship. where Hal uses the central metaphor of the sun in his soliloquy: “Yet herein will I imitate the sun” and creating imagery of the sun appearing from the clouds, symbolising his transformation: “Being wanted, he may be more wondered at/By breaking through the foul and ugly mists”. He ends with a rhyming
Today’s speech in regards to Module C will discuss how all representations of people and politics are undoubtedly acts of manipulation as true political agendas must be hidden behind a misleading facade. Language plays a particularly powerful role in portraying these political representations. However ambiguous the political motive may be, control is the ultimate goal in the world of politics. Contrary to popular belief, not all acts of manipulation are inherently immoral. The exploration of King Henry IV, Part One (1596-1597), the second historical play of the Henriad, by William Shakespeare, will facilitate …show more content…
Such an attempt to veil political motivations can be seen in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s (RSC) interpretation of Act 2, Scene 4, directed by Gregory Doran. Doran’s representation of this scene serves to present a dramatic, visual performance, but also to demonstrate his shared perspective of Shakespeare’s political views. The characterisation of Falstaff as a static character is a foil to King Henry, where the juxtaposition is apparent between the honourable and utilitarian yet politically ambiguous figures, versus the vulgar yet honest ‘human’. Moreover, Falstaff satirises King Henry IV’s legitimacy and how he presents himself, as he says, “Give me a cup of sack to make my eyes look red, that it may be thought I have wept, for I must speak in passion...”, the motif of ‘sack’ being associated with irresponsibility and frivolity as a result of Falstaff’s characterisation. Furthermore, Falstaff continues the meta-play, satirising the King’s way of speech through his role-playing: “I do not speak to thee in drink, but in tears; not in pleasure, but in passion; not in words only, but in woes also”. Again, the allusion to alcohol and its connotations makes mockery of people in politics. In addition, the contrast between emotive qualities and (pleasure versus passion) suggests that Falstaff has …show more content…
It is therefore crucial that they understand that Shakespeare’s use of manipulation not immoral but aims to position his audience to see a different aspect of a political figure. Shakespeare’s intention for positioning the audience to view Prince Hal as a heroic figure was to please Queen Elizabeth. She remained in control of any role-play which took place under her rule. The similarities between herself and Prince Hal exemplifies the many Elizabethan Shakespeare plays containing a reflection of herself. Thus, the heroic and lovable portrayal of Prince Hal hides his conflicting views on Queen Elizabeth, where the Queen was in a neutral position when it came to wars, and other times where she was able to consolidate stability in England. Shakespeare initially presents a bad impression of Hal to the audience as being brash and irresponsible. However, it is in Act 1, Scene 2, where he presents his individual perspective that his behaviour and company is a tool for him in presenting a deliberate persona in order to later reveal himself as a reflective and redemptive model of kingship. where Hal uses the central metaphor of the sun in his soliloquy: “Yet herein will I imitate the sun” and creating imagery of the sun appearing from the clouds, symbolising his transformation: “Being wanted, he may be more wondered at/By breaking through the foul and ugly mists”. He ends with a rhyming