The Representation of the Common Soldiers in Henry IVs in the Background of Elizabethan Military Life

Year 2009, Volume: 9 Issue: 1, 83 - 94, 28.06.2009

A. Serdar Öztürk

https://doi.org/10.11616/AbantSbe.249

Abstract

Shakespeare‘s history plays deal with the medieval kings and their times or with the Roman generals and their wars, which are surely projections of his own age. Henry IVs reflects precisely the plight of the common soldiers in Elizabethan England. Shakespeare is extensively humane in his presentation of the common soldiers in Henry IVs. The general attitude of Shakespeare to the common soldier is not only to portray them with the delight of a playwright but also to display them with the eye of a historian. In Henry IVs, Shakespeare‘s treatment of common soldiers is precise, realistic and authentic in the background of Elizabethan time. Shakespeare provides convincing details of military life in this play, which seem a clear window of his own time.

Keywords

Shakespeare; Henry IVs; Falstaff; Elizabethan army; Common soldiers.

The Representation of the Common Soldiers in Henry IVs in the Background of Elizabethan Military Life

Abstract

Shakespeare‘in tarihi oyunları çağının bir izdüGümü olarak ortaçağ krallarını ve onların dönemini, Romalı generallerin savaGlarını ele alır. Henry IV Elizabeth dönemi Gngiltere‘sindeki rütbesiz askerlerin kötü durumlarını açık bir Gekilde gözler önüne serer. Shakespeare Henry IV adlı eserinde rütbesiz askerleri oldukça insancıl bir yaklaGımla yansıtmıGtır. Shakespeare‘in rütbesiz askerleri ele alırken genel tavrı onları sadece oyun yazarlığı zevkiyle değil aynı zamanda bir tarihçi gözüyle göstermesidir. Elizabeth dönemi arka planında, Shakespeare‘in rütbesiz askerleri ele alıGı açık, güvenilir ve gerçekçidir. Shakespeare bu eserinde ordu yaGantısını ikna edici bir Gekilde gözler önüne serer, bu da yaGadığı zamana berrak bir pencere açtığını gösterir.

Keywords

Shakespeare; Henry IV; Falstaff; Elizabeth ordusu; Rütbesiz askerler.

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