Content Category
Literary Criticism
Abstract/Description
In this paper, I will propose that there are three bodies of power present in Shakespeare’s Richard II. The first two bodies present, the body politic and the body natural, were introduced by Ernst Kantorowicz in opposition to Carl Schmitt’s Political Theology. The third body introduced is the pseudo body, which is a temporary body used by the body politic to depose the body natural. I will argue that Richard’s actions allow Bolingbroke to become the pseudo body through the backing of the body politic. And that Bolingbroke’s role as the pseudo body enables him to become the king.
Copyright and Licensing of My Content
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Origin of Submission
as part of a class
Faculty Involvement
Dr. Jason Kerr
Falling into Kingship: Bolingbroke's Slide into Power in Richard II
In this paper, I will propose that there are three bodies of power present in Shakespeare’s Richard II. The first two bodies present, the body politic and the body natural, were introduced by Ernst Kantorowicz in opposition to Carl Schmitt’s Political Theology. The third body introduced is the pseudo body, which is a temporary body used by the body politic to depose the body natural. I will argue that Richard’s actions allow Bolingbroke to become the pseudo body through the backing of the body politic. And that Bolingbroke’s role as the pseudo body enables him to become the king.