This essay will discuss the development of subversion and containment theory and how it has been applied to texts and literary works. In addition, it will focus on the containment mode in Elizabethan England and how this concept has been criticized.
The broad meaning of "Subversion" is the attempt to undermine or change a political system, whereas "Containment" is the act of attempting to prevent the influence of an opposing ideological power or political system from spreading. Subversion and containment is a concept introduced by the American Shakespearean Stephen Greenblatt, the leading exponent of the New Historicism literary theory. Influenced by Foucault’s concept of power, new historicists have been preoccupied with how subversive identities as atheists and sexual deviants are contained by the power they seem to contest.
Table of Contents
1. Subversion and Containment Model in New Historicism
Objectives and Topics
This essay explores the development of the "subversion and containment" theory, originally introduced by Stephen Greenblatt within the framework of New Historicism. It investigates how power structures, particularly in Elizabethan England, ostensibly produce and subsequently contain subversive elements to reinforce their own legitimacy, while also examining critical responses to this model from scholars like Carolyn Porter and John Brannigan.
- Theoretical foundations of Subversion and Containment in New Historicism.
- Foucault's influence on the concept of power as a circulating force.
- Application of the model to Thomas Harriot’s "A Brief and True Report of New Found Land of Virginia".
- Analysis of power dynamics and subversion in Shakespeare's plays, specifically "Henry IV".
- Critical perspectives on the lack of historical specificity and the perceived omnipotence of power in Greenblatt’s theory.
Excerpt from the Book
Subversion and Containment Model in New Historicism
The broad meaning of ‘Subversion’ is the attempt to undermine or change a political system, whereas ‘Containment’ is the act of attempting to prevent the influence of an opposing ideological power or political system from spreading. Subversion and containment is a concept introduced by the American Shakespearean Stephen Greenblatt, the leading exponent of the New Historicism literary theory. Influenced by Foucault’s concept of power, new historicists have been preoccupied with how subversive identities as atheists and sexual deviants are contained by the power they seem to contest. In this essay, I will be discussing the development of subversion and containment theory and how it has been applied to texts and literary works. In addition, I will be focusing on the containment mode in Elizabethan England and how this concept has been criticized.
In his essay Invisible Bullets: Renaissance Authority and its Subversion, Greenblatt argues that Subversion is always possible, and power depends upon some subversive beliefs to reinforce its reality and normality; power functions as a producer and container of subversion at the same time. He claimed that the ‘apparent production of subversion is, as we have already seen, the very condition of power.’ Foucault's most significant contribution to New Historicism lies in his account of power. He believes that Power is never a single whole to be owned by a particular class, but instead as force circulates through discourse; it is more like electricity that produces special effects rather than repressing individual victims.
Chapter Summary
Subversion and Containment Model in New Historicism: This chapter introduces the core theoretical concepts of subversion and containment, details their application to Elizabethan cultural and literary texts, and presents a critical evaluation of the model's limitations and strengths.
Keywords
Subversion, Containment, New Historicism, Stephen Greenblatt, Michel Foucault, Elizabethan England, Power, Discourse, Thomas Harriot, Shakespeare, Henry IV, Machiavellian Hypothesis, Cultural Materialism, Literary Criticism, Hegemony
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this academic work?
The work focuses on the literary and historical theory of "subversion and containment" as established by Stephen Greenblatt and its implications for understanding power dynamics in Renaissance texts.
What are the central thematic fields covered in the text?
The central themes include the mechanics of state power, the relationship between subversion and authority, the influence of Foucault on New Historicism, and the intersection of colonial discourse and literature.
What is the primary research goal of this essay?
The goal is to discuss the development of subversion and containment theory, analyze its application to works like "A Brief and True Report" and "Henry IV," and address critical academic debates surrounding these concepts.
Which scientific methodology is employed?
The author employs a comparative literary analysis and a critical review of existing scholarly literature to assess the validity and utility of Greenblatt's theoretical model.
What topics are explored in the main body of the text?
The main body examines the Machiavellian Hypothesis, the role of atheism in Elizabethan authority, the critique provided by scholars such as Carolyn Porter, and the comparison between New Historicism and Cultural Materialism.
Which keywords best characterize the research?
The research is characterized by terms such as New Historicism, Subversion, Containment, Power Dynamics, Renaissance Literature, and Cultural Materialism.
How does Greenblatt interpret the role of power in colonial situations?
Greenblatt suggests that power, even in a colonial context, is not monolithic; it relies on the production and containment of potentially unsettling perspectives to maintain its stability.
What is the main criticism leveled against Greenblatt’s theory?
Critics like Carolyn Porter argue that Greenblatt’s approach lacks historical and cultural specificity and uncritically adopts a model where power is viewed as omnipotent and inescapable.
How does the concept of subversion differ in Cultural Materialism?
Unlike the New Historicist view where power contains all subversion, Cultural Materialism suggests that contradictions generated by power can lead to radical social transformation and counter-hegemonic possibilities.
- Quote paper
- Ibrahim Al Shaaban (Author), 2021, Subversion and Containment Model in New Historicism, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1192779
