Jacobean air; How Shakespeare’s Pericles uses elementallanguage to denounce James I

This paper explores how the British people’s hopes, fears, and grievances surrounding theirnation’s transforming domestic and imperial image were reflected through elemental languageon the early modern stage. It joins the growing field of early modern elemental studies that hasdeveloped in the last few years. In particular, the paper questions how William Shakespeareused the classical elements of fire, water, earth, and air in his plays to support or challengeKing James’s ability to maintain the nation. Shakespeare’s early Jacobean plays such asMacbeth, Measure for Measure, and King Lear, are often read in light of the new monarch’sconcerns and interests. However, the Jacobean contexts of his later plays are less easilymapped. It seems as if playwrights such as Shakespeare used elemental language to mediaterelations between the monarch, Britain’s domestic and international image, and the emotionsof common people.

Keywords:

Shakespeare , Jacobean drama , Pericles , King James I