The 16th century was the great period of the system of patronage in art and literature and continued until the end of the 18th century. The Oxford Companion to Shakespeare defines patronage as “the social convention by which authors […] would receive protection, support and subsidy from wealthy individuals, families, or institutions, in return for furthering their reputations…” (2001, 338)
[...]
There have been many attempts to identify the Shakespeare's patron but scholars never came to an undisputable solution. They orientated on the written dedication in the 1609 quarto entitled Shakespeare’s sonnets published by Thomas Thorpe:
Table of Contents
1. Patronage in the 16th century
2. Shakespeare’s relationship to his patron
3. The rival poet in Shakespeare’s sonnets and the consequences for the relationship to the patron
Objectives & Research Focus
This academic paper explores the dynamics of the patronage system in the 16th century and its profound influence on William Shakespeare's sonnets, specifically focusing on the poet’s emotional and economic dependency on his patron and the subsequent arrival of a "rival poet."
- The historical context and societal expectations of the 16th-century patronage system.
- Shakespeare's complex, often one-sided relationship with his unnamed patron.
- The emotional impact of perceived rivalry on the poet's sense of security and inspiration.
- Literary analysis of specific sonnets illustrating fear, jealousy, and the struggle for artistic status.
- Speculation on the historical identities of the "rival poet," such as George Chapman or Christopher Marlowe.
Excerpt from the Book
1. Patronage in the 16th century
The 16th century was the great period of the system of patronage in art and literature and continued until the end of the 18th century. The Oxford Companion to Shakespeare defines patronage as “the social convention by which authors […] would receive protection, support and subsidy from wealthy individuals, families, or institutions, in return for furthering their reputations…” (2001, 338)
During the time of the Renaissance the system of patronage was at its highest point. King Henry VII was the first king who employed an official King’s Poet. His son king Henry VIII cultivated this tradition. The aristocracy adopted this and appointed their own poets. In most cases it was a well-off nobleman the artists courted for. They aimed to find a responsible sponsor who could afford protection and livelihood. Artists wrote literature and dedicated their works to different well-known lords, noblemen and ladies in the hope of winning the support of at least one of them “either simply by associating them with their work” (The Oxford Companion to Shakespeare 2001, 338) in the hope of participating of their fame “or actively praising them in it”(ebd.) and showing their gratitude or even servility by writing about the glory and beauty of his patron. They hoped that their poesy would sell better if the name of a famous person was on the title page. Writers who want to publish works needed to find a patron.
Summary of Chapters
1. Patronage in the 16th century: This chapter establishes the historical context of the Renaissance patronage system, highlighting the poet's reliance on noble sponsors for financial survival and professional prestige.
2. Shakespeare’s relationship to his patron: This section investigates the identity of Shakespeare's mysterious patron and examines the power imbalance inherent in their relationship through a close reading of Sonnet 26.
3. The rival poet in Shakespeare’s sonnets and the consequences for the relationship to the patron: This chapter analyzes the "rival poet" cycle of sonnets, exploring how competition affected the speaker's emotional state, his writing, and his perception of the patron's favor.
Keywords
Shakespeare, Patronage, Sonnets, Renaissance, Rival Poet, Artistic Independence, Dependency, Servility, George Chapman, Christopher Marlowe, Poetry, Literary History, Triangle Relation, Emotional Distress, Economic Security
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this paper?
The paper examines how the Elizabethan system of literary patronage shaped the content and emotional trajectory of Shakespeare's sonnets, particularly during the sequence involving a rival poet.
What are the main thematic areas covered?
Key themes include the economic dependency of poets on aristocratic patrons, the psychological strain caused by artistic rivalry, and the metaphorical use of images to express devotion and fear of abandonment.
What is the central research question?
The work explores how the presence of a "rival poet" influenced the speaker's relationship with his patron and altered his self-perception and artistic output.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The author uses literary analysis and close reading of specific sonnets, supported by historical context from scholarly companions and dictionaries of literature.
What is addressed in the main body of the work?
The body covers the historical definition of patronage, an analysis of the speaker's submissive relationship with his patron in early sonnets, and the subsequent "rival poet" cycle where the poet experiences jealousy and fear.
Which keywords define this research?
The most relevant keywords include Shakespeare, patronage, rival poet, artistic dependency, and the historical figures potentially linked to the rivalry.
How does the author interpret the role of the rival poet in Sonnet 21?
The author suggests that the speaker initially downplays the threat of the rival, attempting to assert that his own "true love" and sincerity hold more worth than the rival's elaborate, flatterous poetry.
What conclusion does the author reach regarding the "rival poet" identity?
The author considers the evidence for George Chapman and Christopher Marlowe as the rival poet but ultimately concludes that these are only speculative possibilities rather than definitive facts.
How does the poet's view of his patron change throughout the sonnet sequence?
The poet moves from a stance of absolute duty and servility to feelings of inadequacy, resentment, and eventual relief once the threat of the rival passes.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Sarah Piecha (Autor:in), 2005, Rivalry and its influence on the relation between Shakespeare and his patron, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/72876
