In Answer To The Powers That Be Poem by Terence George Craddock (Spectral Images and Images Of Light)

In Answer To The Powers That Be

Rating: 5.0


If we apply
the question

What are the

'implications of media,
in this epoch of time'

to Elizabethan England,
the age of Shakespeare;
to next King James the first,

you will agree,
a significant
period in history,

what would this phrase mean?


The answer
to put it simply,
to be succinct,
to put it in a nut shell,

is the effect upon
the public of the time;
of the stage of course
and the printing press.

This could have been put in
one simple declarative sentence
but where is the art in that?

The stage and the plays
especially of Shakespeare
are thrilling live performance
and exceptionally influential
as an early form of mass media.


In the play King Lear for example,
the king must be either very wise;
like King James I; or very stupid, so
it cannot possibly be, King James I.

The first historically documented
performance of the play; took place
on December 26,1606; before King
James I; Shakespeare embeds conceit.


Cunningly Shakespeare embeds support
and opposition; first outlining cleverly
King James Stuart's ideas of absolutist
Monarchy; belief in divine right to rule.

Stuart's style of legitimizing his reign is
wisely promoted; secret opposition made
through a masked linking of King Stuart’s
character to Lear; hidden behind ill health.

Self imposed censorship of art and press is
constantly in vogue due to issues of legalize;
the ramifications of offending ruling power;
embodied in government or rule as dictated.


Copyright © Terence George Craddock

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