English Language and Literature ETDs

Publication Date

6-30-1971

Abstract

Of Shirley's almost forty extant plays, five are tragedies. They can be examined fruitfully as windows to their time, as documents in the history of ideas and as literary works of art. The tragedies reveal Shirley's continuing interest in the theme of enforced marriage. That Shirley views parental and royal control of women in courtship and marriage as tragic can perhaps be explained by the unique circumstances of the Caroline years. When Shirley wrote, two puritan doctrines, election for love in marriage, and the social contract in politics, were eclipsing the medieval and Tudor notions that marriage was merely a political and financial transaction to be arranged by parents, and kings ruled by divine providence against which mere subjects could not move no matter how tyrannical the sovereign. Men and especially women demanded a voice in the choice of their spouses, and subjects demanded a voice against oppressive monarchy.

Degree Name

English

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Department Name

English

First Committee Member (Chair)

Franklin Miller Dickey

Second Committee Member

Mary Bess Whidden

Third Committee Member

Joseph Benedict Zavadil

Language

English

Document Type

Dissertation

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