Self-Fashioning: A Rebellious Act in Renaissance English Drama
Özet
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.
