Tragedies of Tyrants: Political Thought and Theater in the English Renaissance

by Rebecca W. Bushnell

Rebecca W. Bushnell here explores the image of the tyrant in English Renaissance drama in light of the traditional opposition between the "proper" king and the unstable, effeminate, and histrionic tyrant found so often in Western political treatises and tracts. Bushnell traces the early modern image and language of tyranny through a wide range of texts, including morality plays, Humanist statecraft literature, and resistance tracts, as well as canonical tragedies.

216 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1990

About the author

Rebecca Bushnell is Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences and Professor of English at the University of Pennsylvania. Rebecca Bushnell writes and teaches about the genre of tragedy and early modern English culture. (including education and gardens). (taken from author's home page)