“Bolingbroke Karşısında Richard Güçsüz Kalıyor”: II. Richard Oyununda Kusursuz Hükümdar Düşüncesi

Year 2018, , 844 - 856, 11.07.2018

Emine Seda Çağlayan Mazanoğlu

https://doi.org/10.21547/jss.409427

Abstract

Shakespeare, tarihi oyunlarında sınıf farkı gözetmeksizin
ulusu birleştirmeyi başaran mükemmel kralı sunar ve hükümdarın yasalara karşı
gelmesi ve ortak rızayı dikkate almaması durumunda adaleti sağlayamadığını ve
despot bir yönetim sürdürdüğünü gösterir. Bu sebeple, bu makalenin amacı,
Shakespeare’in, II. Richard oyununda meşru bir hükümdar olan
Kral 2. Richard’ı ve tahtı ele geçirerek Kral 4. Henry olan Bolingbroke’u
karşılaştırarak mükemmel kral ile zorba hükümdar arasındaki farklılıkları ortaya
koyduğunu göstermektir. 2. Richard, yasaları ve gelenekleri yok sayan; usulsüz
mali uygulamalarla halka zulmeden; yetersiz danışmanlara yetki veren ve soylu
sınıfla birlikte halkın da sevgisini ve desteğini kaybeden adaletsiz bir kral
olarak anlatılırken; Bolingbroke, kanunlara ve adetlere saygı gösteren; haksızlıklarla
savaşan ve hem soyluların hem orta sınıfın takdirini kazanan etkili bir
yönetici olarak tasvir edilir. Shakespeare, yasalara saygılı olmanın ve insanların
haklarını korumanın ideal hükümdarın özellikleri olduğunu gösterirken, yasaları
tanımamanın ve halkın malına el koymanın güçsüz ve zorba bir yöneticinin
özellikleri olduğunu ortaya koyar. Buna bağlı olarak, Shakespeare’in, ortaçağ
İngiliz tarihini ve politikasını, Elizabeth döneminde kusursuz hükümdar
düşüncesine atıfta bulunmak için kullandığı ortaya konacaktır. Shakespeare,
Kraliçe 1. Elizabeth’in gözdelerine yetki vermesine ve halkı kötü mali
uygulamalarla ezerek gücünü kötüye kullanmasına gönderme yapar. 

Keywords

William Shakespeare, kusursuz hükümdar, güç, Elizabeth dönemi

“[Bolingbroke] weighs [Richard] down” : The Idea of Perfect Monarch in Richard II

Abstract

In his history plays Shakespeare presents the idea of
perfect monarch who achieves to unite the nation regardless of class
distinctions, and demonstrates that if a sovereign violates the laws and
disregards common consent, s/he fails to exercise justice, and consequently establishes
despotic rule. Hence, the aim of this article is to argue that in Richard II Shakespeare puts forth the
distinction between a perfect monarch and a tyrant through the comparison of
Richard II, the legitimate king, and Bolingbroke, who ascends the throne as
King Henry IV after he usurps the throne. Richard is presented as an unjust
king who violates the laws and customs; suppresses his people through illegal
monetary practices; empowers insufficient counsellors, and loses the love and
support of the noblemen and the common men; whereas, Bolingbroke is portrayed
as an effective sovereign as he respects the laws and customs; fights injustice
and gains the admiration of the nobility and the commoners. Therefore, it will
be argued that as Shakespeare presents, being law-abiding and protecting the
rights of the people are the qualities of an ideal ruler while flouting the
laws and dispossessing the people are the features of an ineffective and a despotic
monarch. Accordingly, it will also be demonstrated that through the medieval
English history and politics Shakespeare refers to the idea of perfect monarch
in the Elizabethan era. He refers to
Elizabeth I’s abuse of her sovereign authority to entrust her favourites with
authority and to suppress her people by corrupt financial practices.

Keywords

William Shakespeare, perfect monarch, power, the Elizabethan era

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