Reason And The Philosopher King A Study Of Shakespeare’s Politics Of Kings

Reason, often referred to as rationality, is the antithesis of desire. As one of the major philosophical concerns since ancient times, reason has been regarded as the main principle of human. It exerts special function upon the human soul. Philosophy is described and accepted as a way of life based on reason. Plato stresses the significance of reason. In Republic, Plato favours the philosopher as the king of nation, or the king should learn philosophy. The aim of philosophy is to cultivate a perfect and rational ruler. Therefore, a grandeur king keeps a close connection with philosophy.This valuable force of reason is vividly depicted in Shakespeare’s history plays. Reason in this thesis is the guidance of Kings in ruling their nations, for ruling a city is the most difficult and most important kind of ruling. Distinguished from the individual, a king has two roles:private and public. Therefore, a king needs reason as his guidance to play two different roles successfully. A ruler must be capable and possess ruling skills to keep his nation into the best and unity; do the best in ruling and philosophy; pursue what is advantageous to the city; place the nation’s benefit in an important position; burden king’s responsibility and duty. All these principles are rational guidance for a king.The main body of the thesis is divided into three parts:The first part takes Macbeth as an example to explore the destructive forces of desire and Shakespeare’s objection to a usurper. As the antithesis of reason, desire proves to be a fatal force to a king. Driven by desire for royal power and entangled into the struggle between desire and reason, Macbeth degenerates from the defender of royal power into the tyrant. The Witches symbolize Macbeth’s inner desire, while Lady Macbeth is a helper, who accelerates Macbeth’s desire. Macbeth, who is not only controlled by desire for ruling, but lack ruling skills, is not a capable king.The second part chooses legitimate King Lear to probe what terrible consequences will be produced if a king does not follow reason and Shakespeare’s objection to a legitimate king who does not follow reason. Lear is obsessed with the absolute power and is fond of flattery. Lear banishes Cordelia, the representation of reason and truth. His plan of rashly dividing kingdom not only symbolizes renunciation of a king’s responsibility, but also destroys all authority in Britain as well. Lear mingles two roles as a king and as an individual. A king will be a good one if he possesses reason for ruling his nation. His irrationality causes not only Lear’s madness, but the nation’s chaos. The third part discusses the significance of reason. Legitimate King Henry V employs reason as his guidance and prospers where other kings have failed. After a process of philosophical education, legitimate King Henry V is knowledgeable and capable. He possesses rational ruling skills; places the Lord Chief Justice, the representative of "law" of England, in an important position and banishes his former friend Falstaff, the representative of "anarchy". It is Henry V who redeems England from the social disorder and moral bankruptcy. Wisely combining political power with philosophy and governing his nation with reason, Henry V testifies he is a capable and rational monarch.After the training of philosophy, a king is educated as a rational ruler with extraordinary gifts of leadership and noble virtues. Ruling the nation with reason echoes Plato’s political philosophy. It not only corroborates thoughts of ancient philosophers, but also foreshadows the advent of the eighteenth century, the golden age of reason. Shakespeare establishes Henry V as an example to testify the significance of reason to kings.