Shakespeare, Politics, and Italy

253 Pages·2009·5.11 MB·English

by  Michael J. Redmond

Shakespeare, Politics, and Italy
Intertextuality on the Jacobean Stage
Michael J. Redmond
ShakeSpeare, politicS, and italy
Anglo-ItAlIAn RenAISSAnce StudIeS SeRIeS
Series Editors
General editor: Michele Marrapodi, University of palermo, italy
advisory editors: keir elam, University of Bologna, italy
robert henke, Washington University, USa
this series aims to place early modern english drama within the context of the
European Renaissance and, more specifically, within the context of Italian cultural,
dramatic, and literary traditions, with reference to the impact and influence of both
classical and contemporary culture. Among the various forms of influence, the
series considers early modern italian novellas, theatre, and discourses as direct or
indirect sources, analogues and paralogues for the construction of Shakespeare’s
drama, particularly in the comedies, romances, and other italianate plays. critical
analysis focusing on other cultural transactions, such as travel and courtesy books,
the arts, fencing, dancing, and fashion, will also be encompassed within the scope
of the series. Special attention is paid to the manner in which early modern english
dramatists adapted italian materials to suit their theatrical agendas, creating new
forms, and stretching the renaissance practice of contaminatio to achieve, even
if unconsciously, a process of rewriting, remaking, and refashioning of ‘alien’
cultures. the series welcomes both single-author studies and collections of essays
and invites proposals that take into account the transition of cultures between the
two countries as a bilateral process, paying attention also to the penetration of
early modern english culture into the italian world.
FoRtHcoMIng tItleS In tHe SeRIeS
Identity, Otherness and Empire in Shakespeare’s Rome
edited by Maria del Sapio Garbero
Old Age, Masculinity, and Early Modern Drama
Comic Elders on the Italian and Shakespearean Stage
anthony ellis
Machiavelli in the British Isles
Two Early Modern Translations of the prince
alessandra petrina
Shakespeare, politics, and italy
intertextuality on the Jacobean Stage
Michael J. redMond
University of Palermo, Italy
© Michael J. redmond 2009
all rights reserved. no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system
or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or
otherwise without the prior permission of the publisher.
Michael J. redmond has asserted his right under the copyright, designs and patents act, 1988, to
be identified as the author of this work.
published by
ashgate publishing limited ashgate publishing company
Wey court east Suite 420
Union road 101 cherry Street
Farnham Burlington
Surrey, GU9 7pt Vt 05401-4405
england USa
www.ashgate.com
British library cataloguing in Publication data
redmond, Michael J.
Shakespeare, politics, and italy : intertextuality on the Jacobean stage. – (anglo-italian
Renaissance studies) 1. English drama – Italian influences. 2. English drama – Early
modern and elizabethan, 1500–1600 – history and criticism. 3. political plays, english –
history and criticism. 4. Shakespeare, William, 1564–1616 – knowledge – italy.
5. Shakespeare, William, 1564–1616 – Sources. 6. politics and literature – england –
history – 16th century. 7. italy – in literature.
i. title ii. Series
822.3’09358–dc22
library of congress cataloging-in-Publication data
redmond, Michael J.
Shakespeare, politics, and italy : intertextuality on the Jacobean stage / Michael J. redmond.
p. cm. – (anglo-italian renaissance studies)
includes bibliographical references and index.
iSBn 978-0-7546-6251-8 (hardcover : alk. paper) – iSBn 978-0-7546-9572-1 (ebook)
1. italy–in literature. 2. Shakespeare, William, 1564–1616–knowledge–italy. 3. english
drama–early modern and elizabethan, 1500–1600 – history and criticism. 4. english drama –
17th century – History and criticism. 5. English drama – Italian influences. 6. Intertextuality. 7.
politics in literature. i. title.
pr3069.i8r43 2009
822.3’3–dc22
2009006714
iSBn 978 0 7546 6251 8 (hbk)
iSBn 978 0 7546 9572 1 (ebk.III)
For Sophia Mary
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contents
Acknowledgements ix
1 introduction: the politics of intertextuality 1
2 ‘you are better read than i’: rereading the italianate englishman 29
3 ‘and let them know that i am Machiavel’: Staging italian
political theory for the london audience 75
4 ‘i have my dukedom got’: Shakespeare and the
evolution of the italianate disguised ruler play 121
5 ‘no more a Britain’: James i, Jachimo, and the
politics of Xenophobia in Cymbeline 169
Bibliography 205
Index 227
This page has been left blank intentionally
acknowledgements
I first became interested in the representation of Italy in Jacobean drama as an
undergraduate student in canada and now, 20 years later, i am completing a book
about the subject in that fateful country itself. Given that writing is a journey
as much as a destination, it is a pleasure to have the opportunity to express
my appreciation to all the teachers, colleagues, friends, family members, and
photocopiers that helped me along the way. My first acknowledgement has to be
of Alan Sinfield in gratitude for his encouragement and inspiration over many
years. i am content that this book appears under the general editorship of Michele
Marrapodi. Since we met at the first Palermo Shakespeare Conference in 1995, he
has been a constant champion of my research and a valued friend. i would also like
to express my appreciation to the advisory editors of the anglo-italian renaissance
Studies, keir elam and robert henke, and the commissioning editor at ashgate,
erika Gaffney, for their enthusiastic support of this project. Formal recognition
is due to the anonymous external readers for ashgate. My evolving approach to
intertextual studies over the years has benefited from stimulating conversations
with scholars like louise George clubb, alessandro Serpieri, claudia corti, Gary
taylor, and lilla crisafulli. in canada, the critical acumen of alan Somerset and
elisabeth hanson provided me with an auspicious start to my academic career.
this book would not have been possible without the assistance and kindness of
the librarians at the British library and the d.B. Weldon library of the University
of Western ontario over many years. i would also like to thank the Biblioteca
centrale della regione Siciliana ‘alberto Bombace’ palermo and the assessorato
regionale Beni culturali, ambientali e della p.i. della regione Siciliana for the
permission to use an image from John Florio’s dictionary A Worlde of Wordes on
the cover of this book. My reading of Volpone in chapter 2 revisits arguments that
originally appeared in my contribution to Michele Marrapodi’s edited collection
The Italian World of English Renaissance Drama. i am grateful to associated
University presses and the University of delaware press for permission to publish
a new and improved version. an earlier version of the section on anglo-Scottish
union in chapter 5 appeared as ‘“My lord, i fear, has forgot Britain”: rome, italy,
and the (re)construction of British national identity’ in Shakespeare Yearbook
10 (1999). i want to thank the current editor, douglas a. Brooks, and the editorial
board for granting me permission to reprint that material here.
My parents Mary and Blair redmond and brothers Jeff and James have been
an unwavering source of support and love. My suoceri Franco and rosetta have
welcomed me into their wonderful family and encouraged my efforts to become a
canadese italianato. above all, i must acknowledge the generosity and tolerance