“Statement - All representations of people and politics are acts of manipulation”
Every day as we step into the vast world of literature, we are constantly subjected to acts of manipulation. Our views are constantly shaped in a way the composers want it to be shaped. To put this more into perspective, we only need to look as far as the texts that I have been analysing in school of late – William Shakespeare’s dramatic play, ‘King Henry IV, Part 1’ and the RSC’s play within a play production.
In the play’s very first scene, the audience are introduced to King Henry speaking about how his son, the next in line, is “riot[ous] and dishonor[able]”. Particularly, in comparison to his glorified namesake, Harry Percy, he is no good. At this point …show more content…
Some more than others. However, when we blindly pursue political power, these values depreciate. Why? Because humans are naturally greedy. When we are provided with the opportunity to attain absolute power, we cease to think about what impact our actions have on others. Shakespeare skilfully imposes textual elements that position our views even in modern representations of his play. In the RSC’s play within a play, there isn’t much deviation from the original play. However, the performers incorporated different forms of tone into the play, allowing for the element of drama to be expressed. Along with the textual elements and comedic value, both the RSC and William Shakespeare successfully conveyed the idea of the toxicity of power and its effects on relationships. Shakespeare’s individualistic ideas of manipulation are exposed in the characterisation of Falstaff, a knight who indulges in carrying out the seven deadly sins. During the pivotal moments shared between Falstaff and Hal, where they enact what Hal was to say to his father in the following scene, Falstaff repeatedly describes himself as “valiant Jack Falstaff” and “true Jack Falstaff”. Being not just a character of comedic presence, Shakespeare portrays Falstaff through dramatic irony, as a politically aware individual who uses his relationship with Prince Hal to gain benefits. The RSC presents Falstaff using sarcastic gesture and tone whilst speaking to minor characters in the tavern. This symbolises the power that Falstaff believes he has as a result of hanging around Hal. In particular, he acts as if he’s socially higher than them. The cumulative listing of “..banish Peto, banish Bardolph, banish Poins” shed light on Falstaff’s lack of sympathy for others. When Falstaff reminds Hal about their relationship “but for sweet Jack Falstaff…” this is symbolic for his manipulative nature represented by Shakespeare as a means to stir the title of nobility as
Every day as we step into the vast world of literature, we are constantly subjected to acts of manipulation. Our views are constantly shaped in a way the composers want it to be shaped. To put this more into perspective, we only need to look as far as the texts that I have been analysing in school of late – William Shakespeare’s dramatic play, ‘King Henry IV, Part 1’ and the RSC’s play within a play production.
In the play’s very first scene, the audience are introduced to King Henry speaking about how his son, the next in line, is “riot[ous] and dishonor[able]”. Particularly, in comparison to his glorified namesake, Harry Percy, he is no good. At this point …show more content…
Some more than others. However, when we blindly pursue political power, these values depreciate. Why? Because humans are naturally greedy. When we are provided with the opportunity to attain absolute power, we cease to think about what impact our actions have on others. Shakespeare skilfully imposes textual elements that position our views even in modern representations of his play. In the RSC’s play within a play, there isn’t much deviation from the original play. However, the performers incorporated different forms of tone into the play, allowing for the element of drama to be expressed. Along with the textual elements and comedic value, both the RSC and William Shakespeare successfully conveyed the idea of the toxicity of power and its effects on relationships. Shakespeare’s individualistic ideas of manipulation are exposed in the characterisation of Falstaff, a knight who indulges in carrying out the seven deadly sins. During the pivotal moments shared between Falstaff and Hal, where they enact what Hal was to say to his father in the following scene, Falstaff repeatedly describes himself as “valiant Jack Falstaff” and “true Jack Falstaff”. Being not just a character of comedic presence, Shakespeare portrays Falstaff through dramatic irony, as a politically aware individual who uses his relationship with Prince Hal to gain benefits. The RSC presents Falstaff using sarcastic gesture and tone whilst speaking to minor characters in the tavern. This symbolises the power that Falstaff believes he has as a result of hanging around Hal. In particular, he acts as if he’s socially higher than them. The cumulative listing of “..banish Peto, banish Bardolph, banish Poins” shed light on Falstaff’s lack of sympathy for others. When Falstaff reminds Hal about their relationship “but for sweet Jack Falstaff…” this is symbolic for his manipulative nature represented by Shakespeare as a means to stir the title of nobility as