Martial Virtue and Civilian Order in Shakespeare

ABSTRACT

This conference considered martial virtue and civilian order in four of Shakespeare's plays. Shakespeare's heroes are often marked by and praised for possessing the traits of great warriors—but these traits are not without their complications. Shakespeare, for example, often seems to suggest that military virtues and the virtues that lead to civilian order are in conflict with each other, and that those who are best suited to help a country in times of war are least suited to help in times of peace. This conference explored that potential conflict and considered what military virtue has to do with citizenship. 

READING LIST

Conference Readings

Levin, Harry. Shakespeare and the Revolution of the Times: Perspectives and Commentaries. New York: Oxford University Press, 1976.

Shakespeare, William. Coriolanus. Edited by Jonathan Crewe, A. R. Braunmuller, and Stephen Orgel. New York: Penguin Group, 1999.

Shakespeare, William. Henry IV, Part I. Edited by A. R. Braunmuller, Stephen Orgel, and Claire McEachern. New York: Penguin Group, 2000.

Shakespeare, William. Henry IV, Part II. Edited by A. R. Braunmuller, Stephen Orgel, and Claire McEachern. New York: Penguin Group, 2000.

Shakespeare, William. Henry V. Edited by A. R. Braunmuller, Stephen Orgel, and Claire McEachern. New York: Penguin Group, 1999.

Shakespeare, William. Henry VI, Part I. Edited by Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstine. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2008.