Is conscience "but a word that cowards use"? An analysis of conscience in William Shakespeare's "Richard III" and "Hamlet"

Table of Contents

Introduction

1.What is Conscience?

1.1 The Elizabethan Concept of Moral Responsibility

1.1.1. The Doctrine of the Three Souls

1.1.2. The Passions

1.2 Discourse of Conscience

1.3 Conscience in Theater

2. Conscience as a Phenomenon

2.1 Conscience in Richard III.

2.1.1. Richard‘s Character

2.1.2. A Material Intruder to the Body

2.1.3. Rejecting Conscience and Richard‘s Trial

2.1.4. Clarence‘s Trial

2.2 Conscience in Hamlet

2.2.1. Claudius

2.2.2. Hamlet‘s Internal Conscience

2.2.3. Moral Ambiguities

2.2.4. Stricken by Melancholy and Conscience

2.2.5. Stained Conscience to Perfect Conscience

2.3 Conscience and Cowardice

3. Conclusion

Research Objectives and Thematic Focus

The primary objective of this thesis is to examine the multifaceted understanding of conscience in the Elizabethan era as portrayed in William Shakespeare's plays "Richard III." and "Hamlet." The work explores how the concept of conscience evolves from an external, personified moral instance in earlier works to an internalized, psychological struggle, ultimately addressing the tension between the philosophical discourse of the time and the dramatic representation of moral values.

• The Elizabethan concept of moral responsibility and the doctrine of the three souls.
• Comparative analysis of conscience in "Richard III." and "Hamlet".
• The theatrical tradition of the morality play and its influence on villain characterization.
• The psychological and moral complexities of "conscience-based melancholy."
• The relationship between conscience, cowardice, and the morality of revenge.

Excerpt from the Book

Summary of Chapters

Introduction: This section establishes the research question by contrasting the differing perspectives on conscience in "Richard III." and "Hamlet" and defines the investigative framework based on Elizabethan moral values.

1.What is Conscience?: This chapter outlines the historical and philosophical foundations of Elizabethan moral philosophy, focusing on the doctrine of the three souls and the role of passions in moral judgment.

2. Conscience as a Phenomenon: This core chapter applies the established theoretical framework to the specific characters and dramatic conflicts in "Richard III." and "Hamlet," analyzing the transition from external moral representation to internal psychological conflict.

3. Conclusion: The final chapter synthesizes the findings, noting that while the two plays differ in their portrayal of conscience, both demonstrate the profound relevance of this moral concept in Shakespeare's character development and narrative structure.

Keywords

Conscience, William Shakespeare, Richard III., Hamlet, Elizabethan Age, Moral Philosophy, Three Souls, Passions, Melancholy, Revenge, Morality Plays, Vice Character, Machiavellian Villain, Divine Providence, Ethics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the core focus of this academic work?

This thesis investigates the multifaceted concept of conscience in the Elizabethan age and how William Shakespeare translates this philosophical term into the dramatic actions and internal conflicts of his protagonists in "Richard III." and "Hamlet."

What are the primary thematic areas covered?

The work covers Elizabethan psychological theories, the shift from morality play traditions to complex character realism, the theological discourse of conscience, and the binary perception of conscience as either an external force or an internal voice.

What is the central research question?

The study explores whether conscience is merely a word used by cowards, as the character Richard III. claims, or if it acts as a genuine constraint on action that influences the moral outcomes of the plays.

Which scientific methods are employed?

The author employs a comparative literary analysis, grounding the study in contemporary Elizabethan treatises (such as those by William Perkins and Robert Burton) to interpret the moral and psychological frameworks present in Shakespeare's text.

What does the main body of the work address?

The main part of the work provides a detailed analysis of "Richard III." as a play featuring an external, near-personified conscience, and "Hamlet" as a play focusing on an internalized, tormenting conscience, followed by a discussion on the link between conscience and cowardice.

Which keywords characterize the work?

The most relevant keywords include Conscience, Shakespeare, Richard III., Hamlet, Moral Philosophy, Elizabethan Age, Melancholy, Revenge, and Ethics.

How does Richard III. relate to the "Vice" character tradition?

Richard III. is analyzed as a character who embodies the "formal Vice" of traditional morality plays, using a playful, conspiratorial relationship with the audience to mask his evil deeds, before eventually being confronted by his own conscience.

What role does "melancholy" play in the case of Hamlet?

The work interprets Hamlet's behavior through the lens of Elizabethan psychology, debating whether his condition is a result of a physical ailment like melancholy or an affliction of the soul stemming from a burdened, active conscience.