New historicism

Definition

New historicism is a critical approach that emphasizes the importance of historical context in interpreting literary texts, focusing on how literature reflects and influences the culture and power structures of its time. It argues that texts should be analyzed alongside historical documents and events to understand the complex interplay between literature and history, allowing for a deeper insight into societal norms, values, and ideologies.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. New historicism emerged in the 1980s as a response to traditional literary criticism, which often focused solely on the text itself without considering its historical background.
2. This approach encourages the examination of primary historical documents alongside literary works, such as letters, diaries, and official records, to provide context for understanding the text.
3. New historicists argue that power dynamics within society greatly influence both literature and history, reflecting how authors respond to or challenge cultural norms.
4. Key figures in new historicism include Stephen Greenblatt, who coined the term and applied it to works like 'Hamlet' to showcase the relationship between the play and the Elizabethan era.
5. This method has broadened the scope of literary analysis by incorporating perspectives from sociology, anthropology, and history, thus enriching interpretations of Shakespeare's works.

Review Questions

• How does new historicism change our understanding of Shakespeare's works when we consider their historical context?
  • New historicism shifts our understanding of Shakespeare by highlighting how his plays are not just artistic creations but also reflections of the historical and cultural circumstances of his time. For example, examining 'Macbeth' alongside the political climate of early 17th-century England reveals insights into themes of ambition and power that resonate with contemporary issues. By integrating historical documents and events into literary analysis, we gain a fuller appreciation of how Shakespeare’s works comment on societal norms and expectations.
• Discuss how new historicism can be applied to analyze the theme of fate versus free will in 'Romeo and Juliet'.
  • Applying new historicism to 'Romeo and Juliet' involves analyzing the play within the context of Elizabethan beliefs about fate and individual agency. By examining historical attitudes towards astrology and destiny prevalent during Shakespeare’s time, we can see how these views shape characters’ actions and perceptions. The tragic ending serves as a critique of societal constraints that limit personal choice, demonstrating how both fate and free will operate in tandem against a backdrop of family loyalty and social expectations.
• Evaluate the impact of new historicism on contemporary interpretations of Shakespeare’s language and literary devices.
  • New historicism significantly impacts contemporary interpretations by encouraging critics to view Shakespeare's language as a product influenced by the socio-political landscape of his era. This perspective enables us to analyze Shakespeare’s use of metaphors, symbols, and wordplay in relation to prevailing cultural ideologies. For instance, understanding how notions of class and gender affected language can deepen our insight into character interactions in plays like 'Twelfth Night', thus allowing us to appreciate Shakespeare not just as a writer but as a commentator on his time.

Related terms

Cultural Materialism: A critical theory that examines cultural artifacts in relation to their social and economic contexts, emphasizing how material conditions shape cultural expressions.

Intertextuality: The relationship between texts, highlighting how they reference or influence one another within specific historical and cultural contexts.

Historical Context: The circumstances, attitudes, and events surrounding the creation of a literary work, which inform its themes, characters, and overall significance.