Self-Fashioning: A Rebellious Act in Renaissance English Drama

Abstract

Under the influence of Renaissance Humanism, the concept of the “ideal-self” was shaped in the light of the classics, and individual glory took on a new meaning among both the literati and the readers/ playgoers of the time. As the Renaissance signifies a period of change from dogmatic to secular knowledge, from women’s social role to domestic spheres and patriarchal society, from feudalism to proto-capitalist society, the change in relation to cultural upheavals observed in the age influenced playwrights. Literary characters who are the representatives of that change self-confidently express themselves. This dissertation explores the concept of self-fashioned overreachers in Renaissance drama, particularly focusing on William Shakespeare’s Richard III (1597), Christopher Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus (1616) and John Webster’s The Duchess of Malfi (1623). Drawing upon Stephen Greenblatt’s theory of self-fashioning, this study examines how these protagonists actively construct their identities and destinies inevitably transgressing societal and moral boundaries. Richard III’s approach to self-fashioning driven by his political ambitions, involves manipulation and strategically employs cunning and deceit as a means to seize the English throne. In contrast, Doctor Faustus stands out as an intellectual overreacher with his relentless quest for supernatural power and knowledge by using his scholarly prowess to challenge the limits of human capability and divine order. On the other hand, the Duchess represents a personal and emotional dimension of self-fashioning. Her defiance against patriarchal constraints and pursuit of personal autonomy challenge the gender norms of her time. Each character’s distinctive strategy of self-fashioning not only underscores their individual agency but also reflects the broader cultural and existential anxieties of the Renaissance era. This dissertation argues that through these characters, Renaissance drama offers a profound exploration of the human desire for power, knowledge and autonomy along with the ethical complexities involved in the process of self-fashioning.