Political Theologies in Shakespeare's England : The Sacred and the State in 'Measure for Measure'

Political Theologies in Shakespeare's England offers a defining reinterpretation of English political thought in the aftermath of the Reformation. Debora Kuller Shuger focuses not on the tension between Crown and Parliament but on the relation of the sacred to the state. The book examines Measure for Measure , for the issues at the heart of this play also shape the deep structure of English politics in the aftermath of the Reformation. Introduction -- Two Notes On Method -- The Rebel Codpiece And The State -- The Rule Of Law -- Ancient Political Thought And The Laws -- The Athenian Stranger And The English Reformation -- Sexual Regulation -- The Wages Of Sin -- Excursus -- Political Theology -- Sacral Loci -- Sacred Kingship -- The Godly Prince And The Pirate King -- The Throne Of God: Absolutism, Equality, And Christian Justice -- Absolute Power -- Absolute Justice -- The Theater Of Equity -- The King Of Souls -- The Spiritual Jurisdiction Of The State -- Puritans, Penance, And Ecclesiastical Polity -- The Soul Of The Condemned -- The Politics Of Mercy -- Christ's Other Kingdom: Political Theology In Africa. Debora Kuller Shuger. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 177-188) And Index. Annotation Political Theologies in Shakespeare's England offers a defining reinterpretation of English political thought in the aftermath of the Reformation. Debora Kuller Shuger focuses not on the tension between Crown and Parliament but on the relation of the sacred to the state. The book examines Measure for Measure, for the issues at the heart of this play also shape the deep structure of English politics in the aftermath of the Reformation Front Matter....Pages i-ix Introduction....Pages 1-8 The Rebel Codpiece and the State....Pages 9-38 Political Theology....Pages 39-71 The Throne of God: Absolutism, Equity, and Christian Justice....Pages 72-101 The King of Souls....Pages 102-140 Back Matter....Pages 141-194 Shuger's study of Measure to Measure offers a sweeping reinterpretation of English political thought in the aftermath of the Reformation, one that focuses not on the tension between Crown and Parliament but on the relation of the sacred to the state. This study of "Measure for Measure" offers a reinterpretation of English political thought in the aftermath of the Reformation, one that focuses not on the tension between Crown and Parliament but on the relation of the sacred to the state