The Scottish literary renaissance reborn: a re-evaluation of the cultural directives of King James VI, as defined in his 'Essayes of a Prentise in the Divine Art of Poesie' (1584)

摘要: In her pioneering summation of the abundance literary discourse predicated upon literature Scottish Jacobean period, Bawcutt (2002) calls particular attention to ubiquity and continued misapplication concept ‘Castalian Band’. Helena Mennie Shire’s contention (1969), through which appraisal physical coterie dynamics is valued above evaluation demonstrable thematic aesthetic concerns each distinct author, provides modern criticism with a nuanced, yet ultimately misleading, critical lexicon analyse James VI’s cultural revival. condemns imprudent scholarly acceptance, ensuing promulgation, Band’ theoretic as nothing more than fabrication fiction culminates in widespread fundamental misunderstanding pre-occupations age. conclusion article, attempts instigate renaissance, setting up avenues literary-critical enquiry. This thesis seeks evolve recent re-evaluations Renaissance takes its logical starting point re-reading King Essayes Prentise, document has previously been considered important primarily because accommodation poetic ‘rule book’. publications, critics have keen re-address myth’ (as defines it), no one critic Prentise complete ‘collection’, highlighted clear consistency threads works together. Within present thesis, just such will be undertaken, foregrounding much merely simplistic rule book for members adhere composition verse. Rather, close reading collection shows it complex weave, carefully contrived gathering texts under an explicit pretence modesty, explores thoroughly concepts authority authorship, both from political perspective. sets out Christian-humanist paradigms his audience aspiring poets embrace, heightened importance residing within James’ translation Du Bartas’ L’Uranie. order give credence this claim, Thomas Hudson’s History Judith also critically examined comparative reading. text, published same year regarded study ‘sister’ text Essayes, evidencing first most embodiment monarch’s religio-political directives.