Month: November 2018
“Enter RUMOUR, painted full of tongues”: Virality and the Dangers of Rhetoric
Over the last few weeks, I’ve explored the relationship between early modern fears of rhetoric and their relevance in our political climate. Thus far, I’ve focused on a specific kind of rhetoric, the anti-media rhetoric of President Trump, drawing parallels between his words and Henry II’s famous statement “will no one rid me of this
“If Thou Consider Rightly of the Matter”: Intent, Interpretation, and the Fear of Rhetoric
Last week, I looked at Julius Caesar as a case-study for understanding early modern fears concerning rhetoric during the late 16th and early 17th century. I hope to have demonstrated the degree to which Shakespeare was wary of the relationship between rhetorical provocation and the violent potential of the crowd. However, representations of rhetorical provocation
“Cry Havoc and Let Slip the Dogs of War”: Julius Caesar and the Power of Rhetoric
Last year, while writing for Broadly Textual about the political implications of staging Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar under the Trump administration, I off-handedly suggested that the play could be read as one in “which a demagogue exploits a mob of Roman citizens and preys upon their anger and resentment to compel them to destructive violence.” Later
Will No One Rid Me of This Turbulent Media?
In 1170, Henry II, King of England, is alleged to have complained to a group of knights within his household, “will no one rid me of this turbulent priest.” Speaking of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Beckett, this statement was alleged to have been interpreted as an order, and a group of knights travelled to