Of Philosophers and Kings : Political Philosophy in Shakespeare's Macbeth and King Lear

This innovative work argues that Shakespeare was as great a philosopher as he was a poet, and that his greatness as a poet derived even more from his power as a thinker than from his genius for linguistic expression. Accordingly, Leon Craig's interpretation of the plays - focusing primarily on Macbeth and King Lear, but including extensive comments on Othello, The Winter's Tale, and Measure for Measure - are intended to demonstrate what can be gained from reading Shakespeare 'philosophically.' Shakespeare, Craig argues, had a persistent fascination with the relationship between politics and philosophy, and even more precisely, with the idea of a philosophical ruler. Macbeth and King Lear are given detailed exposition for the special light they cast on tensions between philosophy and politics, knowledge and power. They show how the pursuit of an adequate understanding of certain practical issues - transient yet recurring - necessarily leads to considerations that far transcend the particular circumstances in which these practical problems arise. Metaphysics, cosmology, and man's confrontation with nature, were made dramatically manifest by Shakespeare to challenge and promote philosophic activity among his audience and readers. Unconventional in its approach, but working within the tradition of such critics as Allan Bloom and Harry Jaffa, Craig's book makes a substantial contribution to understanding the general principles of Shakespearean drama.

this Innovative Work Argues That Shakespeare Was As Great A Philosopher As He Was A Poet, And That His Greatness As A Poet Derived Even More From His Power As A Thinker Than From His Genius For Linguistic Expression. Accordingly, Leon Craig's Interpretation Of The Plays - Focusing Primarily On Macbeth And King Lear, But Including Extensive Comments On Othello, The Winter's Tale, And Measure For Measure - Are Intended To Demonstrate What Can Be Gained From Reading Shakespeare 'philosophically.'

shakespeare, Craig Argues, Had A Persistent Fascination With The Relationship Between Politics And Philosophy, And Even More Precisely, With The Idea Of A Philosophical Ruler. Macbeth And King Lear Are Given Detailed Exposition For The Special Light They Cast On Tensions Between Philosophy And Politics, Knowledge And Power. They Show How The Pursuit Of An Adequate Understanding Of Certain Practical Issues - Transient Yet Recurring - Necessarily Leads To Considerations That Far Transcend The Particular Circumstances In Which These Practical Problems Arise. Metaphysics, Cosmology, And Man's Confrontation With Nature, Were Made Dramatically Manifest By Shakespeare To Challenge And Promote Philosophic Activity Among His Audience And Readers.

unconventional In Its Approach, But Working Within The Tradition Of Such Critics As Allan Bloom And Harry Jaffa, Craig's Book Makes A Substantial Contribution To Understanding The General Principles Of Shakespearean Drama.

This Work Argues That Shakespeare Was As Great A Philosopher As He Was A Poet, And That His Greatness As A Poet Derived Even More From His Power As A Thinker Than From His Genius For Linguistic Expression. Accordingly, Leon Craig's Interpretation Of The Plays - Focusing Primarily On Macbeth And King Lear, But Including Extensive Comments On Othello, The Winter's Tale, And Measure For Measure - Are Intended To Demonstrate What Can Be Gained From Reading Shakespeare 'philosophically'--jacket. The Political Philosopher As Dramatic Poet : Preliminary Remarks On The Study Of Shakespeare -- Living In A Hard Time : Politics And Philosophy In Macbeth. Machiavelli Visits Scotland -- The Metaphysics Of Macbeth -- The Natural Workings Of Good And Evil -- Infections In The Casing Air -- The Discovery Of Nature : Politics And Philosophy In King Lear. The Perils Of Political Improvisation -- The Problem Of Nature -- A King Becomes Philosophical -- A Philosopher Becomes A King -- Sweet Philosophy : Further Illustrations Of Shakespeare's Portrayal Of Philosophy In Relation To Political Life. Elementary Matters In Othello -- The True Test Of A Wise Poet : The Winter's Tale -- High-minded Negligence In Measure For Measure -- Final Remarks On Shakespeare As Philosopher-poet. Leon Harold Craig. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [393]-400) And Index. CONTENTS 8 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 10 NOTICE TO THE READER 12 1. The Political Philosopher as Dramatic Poet: Preliminary Remarks on the Study of Shakespeare 16 2. Living in a Hard Time: Politics and Philosophy in Macbeth 38 Machiavelli Visits Scotland 43 The Metaphysics of Macbeth 64 The Natural Workings of Good and Evil 89 Infections in the Casing Air 113 3. The Discovery of Nature: Politics and Philosophy in King Lear 125 The Perils of Political Improvisation 126 The Problem of Nature 146 A King Becomes Philosophical 181 A Philosopher Becomes a King 202 4. "Sweet Philosophy": Further Illustrations of Shakespeare's Portrayal of Philosophy in Relation to Political Life 205 Elementary Matters in Othello 207 The True Test of a Wise Poet: The Winter's Tale 227 High-Minded Negligence in Measure for Measure 243 Final Remarks on Shakespeare as Philosopher-Poet 264 NOTES 282 BIBLIOGRAPHY 406 INDEX OF NAMES 414 A 414 B 414 C 415 D 415 E 415 F 416 G 416 H 416 I 416 J 416 K 417 L 417 M 417 N 417 O 417 P 418 R 418 S 418 T 419 U 419 V 419 W 419 X 419 Y 419 Z 419 Machine generated contents note: 1. The Political Philosopher as Dramatic Poetl Preliminay Remarks on the Stdy of Shakespeare 3 2. Living in a Hard Time: Politics and Philosophy in Macbeth 25 Machiavelli Visits Scotland 30 The Metaphysics of Macbeth 51 The Natural Workings of Good and Evil 76 Infections in the CasingAir 100 3. The Discovery of Nature: Politics and Philosophy inKingLear 112 The Perils of Political Improvisation 113 The Problem of Nature 133 A King Becomes Philosophical 168 A Philosopher Becomes a King 189 4. "Sweet Philosophy": Further llutrations of Shakespeare's Portrayal of Philosophy in Relation to Political Life 192 Elementary Matters in Othello 194 TheTrue Test of a Wis Poet: The Winters Tal 214 High-Minded Negligence inMeaureforMeaure 230 Final Remarks on Shakespeare as Philosopher-Poer 251 NOTES 269 BIBLIOGRAPHY 391 INDEX OF NAMES 401.