Talking With Shakespeare

This thesis uses the theory of new-historicism and combines the history of early Stuart to analysis Shakespeare’s famous tragedy King Lear, in order to get a conclusion that the drama is not only a mere tragedy but a masterpiece mingled with history and literature.The complicated environment of religious beliefs in the society of James I will be showed in the first chapter and Shakespeare’ complex attitude toward different religions will be explored. In the second chapter, by revealing the overwhelmed patriarchy power, the thesis develops Shakespeare’ rebel against it. Chapter three focus on the debate between the absolute monarchy power required by James I and the parliament’s claim for law, and shows how Shakespeare took part in this fierce discussion.Based upon the body chapters, the thesis attempts to get a conclusion that King Lear is a production mingled with history and literature which contains the engagement of different religious beliefs, the operation of powers and the reconstitution of social consciousness, in which the superficial obedience of Shakespeare conceals his subversive thoughts.