Micronationalist themes in early modern English literature

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Authors
Ferguson, Bennie Lee
Advisors
Connor, Francis X.
Issue Date
2023-12
Type
Thesis
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Abstract

This thesis identifies and analyzes micronationalist themes in Early Modern English The purpose of this thesis is to identify modern micronationalist themes in Early Modern English literature, primarily as evidenced by the works of William Shakespeare and John Donne. This work illustrates that, while modern concepts of micronationalism were absent in the Early Modern era, its underlying principles were familiar to these authors and expressed in their poems and plays. Analyses of Shakespeare’s As You Like It and Donne’s “A Valediction of Weeping” and “The Sunne Rising” demonstrate that both authors were familiar with and employed micronationalist themes in their writing. To illustrate this point, similarities between modern micronations and fictional depictions of such in the works of Shakespeare and Donne are emphasized. Utilizing examples of actual micronations throughout history, this research presents evidence that micronationalist themes are evident in both authors’ works, largely as a result of the emerging English nationalism of this era. It maintains that micronationalist themes in Early Modern English literature profoundly influenced the establishment of modern micronations. This is especially evident in regard to questions involving the supranational legitimacy of the Church, patriarchal doctrine, and egalitarianism, as well as the colonization of the Americas during this era.

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Thesis (M.A.)-- Wichita State University, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Dept. of English
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Wichita State University
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