A Critique of Exaggerated Libertinism in Thomas Shadwell’s The Libertine

An Erratum to this article was published on May 23, 2024. https://dergipark.org.tr/en/pub/ideas/article/1489080

Abstract

This article argues that The Libertine by Thomas Shadwell, one of the earliest examples of the Restoration comedies, has one of the pioneering roles in portraying the philosophy of the time’s courtiers, libertinism. It is obviously seen in Shadwell’s play that the characteristics of libertinism are not given entirely truly in this Don Juan adaptation, but rather in an exaggerated and criminalised way. In this light, the paper will first discuss the playwright’s socio-political position during the upheaval of the Restoration of Charles II. Secondly, it will set out to explore the play’s position in terms of its exemplary nature in the genre of comedy of manners. Last but not least, libertinism and its characteristics will be analysed through their illustration in the play by means of male characters, particularly Don John, the protagonist.

Keywords

• Libertinism
• Comedy of manners
• Thomas Shadwell
• The Libertine
• Satire

Thomas Shadwell’in The Libertine Oyununda Abartılan Libertinizmin Bir Eleştirisi

An Erratum to this article was published on May 23, 2024. https://dergipark.org.tr/en/pub/ideas/article/1489080

Abstract

Bu makale, Restorasyon dönemi komedilerinin ilk örneklerinden biri olan Thomas Shadwell’in The Libertine (Çapkın) adlı eserinin, dönemin saraylılarının felsefesi olan libertinizmi tasvir etmede öncü rollerden birine sahip olduğunu ileri sürmektedir. Shadwell’in Don Juan uyarlaması olan bu oyununda libertinizmin özelliklerinin tamamen doğru bir şekilde verilmediği, daha ziyade abartılı ve kriminalize edilmiş bir şekilde yansıtıldığı açıkça görülmektedir. Bu bağlamda, makalede ilk olarak II. Charles’ın tahta çıkış dönemi sırasında oyun yazarının sosyo-politik konumu tartışılacaktır. Ardından, töre komedisi türündeki ilk örneklerden biri olması açısından oyunun tür içindeki konumu değerlendirilecektir. Son olarak, libertinizm ve özellikleri, oyundaki erkek karakterler, özellikle de başkarakter Don John üzerinden oyundaki tasvirler kullanılarak incelenecektir.

Keywords

• Libertinizm
• Töre komedisi
• Thomas Shadwell
• The Libertine
• Hiciv

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