國立臺灣大學政治科學論叢

Abstract / Chinese PDF Download

This  passage  intends  a  parallel  portrayal  of  Machiavelli’s  The  Prince  andWilliam  Shakespeare’s  history  plays  Henry  IV  parts  I  &  II.  Writing  almost  acentury apart, both authors emphasize some special qualities required of the prince:awareness of the reason of state, following the dictates of necessity, and possessingsense of prudence.Shakespeare uses Richard II and Henry IV(parts I & II) to depict the rise ofthe  Lancastrian  family  and  how  they  managed  to  retain  the  throne  and  to  protectthemselves from enemies. Underneath the literary veil of rhetorical eloquence andmagnificence,  it  is  argued,  secrets  of  statecrafts  and  ruler-ship  are  exploredthroughout the plays in such a way that these plays can almost serve as textbooksfor a would-be monarch. The Elizabethan playwright fully exhibits his knowledgeabout the particular nature of kingship, viz., the distinction between the public andthe private lives simultaneously imposed on one single personality.In an age of nation-state and absolute monarchy, this study tries to conclude,what  is  the  most  important  in  the  realm  of  the  political  may  well  be  the  propereducation of the person who alone manages the kingdom. To our common neglect,Shakespeare’s  history  plays  amply  show  how  profound  their  author  know subject and, also, remind us the possible impacts on their readers—including boththe  ruler  and  the  ruled—when  the  dramas  are  carrying  important  messages  ofpolitical education. the