| William Shakespeare(1564-1616)lived in the last period of Renaissance,when humanism,the basic ideology of new bourgeoisie,had widely spread among many European countries,especially in England in Shakespeare’s times.Shakespeare,an ardent humanistic playwright,devoted his life time to the experiment and creation of ten history plays,eight of which,known as two tetralogies,represent a panorama of English history from 1398 to 1485.Although Richard Ⅲ is the final part of the first tetralogy,it can stand on its own.People are keen on reading and showing this play,which is the best known of Shakespeare’s history plays and narrates the rise and fall of Richard Ⅲ,setting the Wars of the Roses as the background.Drawing on New Historicism,the thesis intends to explore how literary texts and history interweave,how texts reconstruct history,and how texts and history contribute to Shakespeare’s national concerns and ideals of humanism in his history play RichardⅢ.For one thing,historical writing is historicized.The production of the literary text cannot be done independently of its specific historical and political context.Centering on the cosmic order in the Elizabethan Age and political reality in the society,the thesis explains the cultural,social and political codes upon Shakespeare’s reconstruction of history,and in the meantime represents Richard’s cruel succession and his tragic death in the Battle of Bosworth Field.For another thing,historical writing is textualized.The thesis takes literary writing of historical figures and artistic imagination of historical events into account.Through the study of historical materials and documents,Shakespeare remodels Richard alive.In his historical writing,the late Queen Margaret is on the stage with curses;fictional events happen to historical figures;contemporary issues echo in the play’s plot.It makes sense how the remarkable distinction between fact and fiction is erased.Shakespeare,in the artistic way,in-depth voices his critique of the usurper in his exploring of classical conflicts in the feudal society,points out the importance of order and hierarchy,warns the rulers that treachery and wars would bring nothing but disaster even death in his work as well.Based on historicity and textuality of historical writing,this thesis gives a deep exploration upon Shakespeare’s historical consciousness.By incorporation of history into zeitgeist,his history play has invited a sense of patriotism and nationality.Shakespeare highlights the significance of order and hierarchy in his opposition of treachery and chaos.In his view,only can an ideal monarch exert as the critical power of the national unity.In the course of history development,the power from anyone,whether royal or not,of course cannot be ignored.Furthermore,Shakespeare praises man’s courage,strong power and wisdom as well as affirms the value of human beings,who can not only participate in history but also create history. |
