Shakespeare Short Assignment #2

English Early Modern Perspectives On Civil Order and Rebellion
Minority Voices of Political Resistance Part I:
The first line from the chapter, Psalm: 18, “It is better to trust in the lords than to trust in the Princes,” summarizes the civic divide between the people and their leadership (pg. 170). It is eminent that the culture of this time had a deep root in religion that drove both the political and social structures of England.
The early Modern Period in England was a time with new political ideals pertaining to the restriction of Absolute leadership. These new ideas were introduced by Ponet, the Protestant writer of the Treatise. In this writing, he introduces the idea of Gods absolute sovereignty and how God is the motivating factor behind all leadership of the state. He advocates that the welfare of the people should be the priority for a successful Commonwealth. Additionally, Ponet emphasizes a modified form of individual resistance to the Government if there are Tyrannical or authoritarian Governmental ideals in place. Furthermore, he proposed the idea that each person has a set of natural rights within the Commonwealth which is similar to what our constitution upholds today. Ponet introduced such powerful theories that institute restraints on the Government and rights for the people. These restraints are emphasized on the King and Prince through God’s Divine Law. These restraints are interesting to look at when studying the culture. For example, if the Prince mistreats his people through Tyrannical rule, Ponet suggests that the people first, show resistance by looking to the nobility or Parliament for support, if not, then the minister will be the bridge to where God will intervene. The emphasis on the power of God is important and explains both the fear and respect that they had for religion. Ponet goes further to explain that God has the authority to institute who should rule and the strength to punish any leader who does not uphold the natural rights of the people. These strict religious patters in the culture were reflected in Shakespeare’s, Henry V.
Part II:
When studying the Early Modern period of England, Shakespeare’s plays are a window into the political systems at that time. Through both Henry IV and Henry V, the emphasis on religion and fear of rebellion is present in the discourse between the characters and their actions.
Specifically, In Henry IV and V there is a large presence of religion and fear of God’s punishment. Looking at Henry V, Act 4 Scene 1: Lines 300-315, it shows Hal praying to God before he goes to invade France, “O Lord, O, not today, think not upon the fault my father made in compassing the crown. I Richard’s body have interrèd new and on it have bestowed more contrite tears” He asks God for mercy and that he does not punish him or his men for how his father, Henry IV, got onto the thrown. It is a controversial subject at the time because of how Ponet describes the culture. Ponet mentions the natural law and how God is essentially the overseer of all leadership and punishment. Therefore, based on God’s law, Henry IV was not supposed to be the next heir after Richard II. For example, “And upon what just cause Richard II was thrust out, and Henry IV put in place, I refer it to their own judgement” (Ponet, 191). Additionally, Ponet uses the idea of the evil female in the metaphoric garden in the Treatise. This negative connotation toward females could possibly derive from his resistance to Queen Mary and what he mentions Queen Elizabeth as the Godless tyrant. It is then plausible to say that there is conflict of interest with regard to Henry IV and Henry V due to the female succession that justifies their heir to the throne. It is obvious that the culture had strict religious rules on how the monarchy was run during this time.
Another aspect of the culture that was reflected in this chapter was the large emphasis on the Princes treatment towards his people. Ponet suggests, “…good princes, nothing is honest, but that is honest in deed, and nothing is just, but that is just in deed” (Ponet pg. 187). This takes us back to Hal and when he transitioned into a more notable and honorable King when he took the thrown. The emphasis Ponet puts on character and honor is ironic when looking at Henry V because of how he started off as a rebellious and naïve Prince that goes against some of these just and honest deeds. For instance, when he decided to steal and drink with Falstaff. Although Hal began as a rebel Prince, he somewhat contradicts Ponet when he takes the thrown and in turn is an honorable and notable King that gains the respect of his people. It is Hal’s past that seems to accompany his success as a King because he is able to relate to the common person. He has a strong gift to where he can change his eloquence of speech depending on the audience he is talking to. For example, when he addresses the Governor at the gates he represents a harsh and punishing ruler, “in a moment look to see the blind and bloody soldier with foul hand desire the locks of your shrill-shrieking daughters, your fathers taken by the silver beards and their most reverend heads dashed to the walls, your naked infants spitted upon pikes” (Act 3, Scene 3: line 33-39; pg. 99).
Lastly, I wanted to make note of Ponet’s quote, “People do have certain rights- to life, to a means of lively hood, to property, to equality before the law, to freedom from invasion of personal liberty, and to resist and altar a government that infringes upon such rights.” (Ponet pg.180). I found it interesting that he introduced the founding principles to puritan thought and American rebellion. He managed to influence some great thinkers and political leaders that changed the world. They include great Americans such as John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. His quote is one that our nation is modeled after. Furthermore, the reason civil rebellion was so feared amongst royalty was because of situations such as the American Revolution. Putting it in perspective, King Henry IV should have been fearful of rebels and civil disobedience because that is the most threatening aspect to his lively hood as King. You see a good comparison of king Henry IV and Henry V’s leadership and how the people reacted to them. Hal was much more respected amongst the people and Ponet would agree that that’s what a Prince should be in order to have a just and prosperous commonwealth.