This study is concerned with William Davenant's dramatization of Solyman the Magnificent as an ideal man of war and peace. The structure of the play and characters are designed to reveal Solyman's honorable characte...This study is concerned with William Davenant's dramatization of Solyman the Magnificent as an ideal man of war and peace. The structure of the play and characters are designed to reveal Solyman's honorable character. In the introduction, the author reviews the critical history of The Siege of Rhodes (1661). The section "The Siege" is concerned with the Sultan's attitude to war and his behavior towards his foes, which is marked by ambition and valor. In the section "Victory", the author traces Solyman's generosity and mercy towards the defeated Rhodians. Ianthe and Alphonso dominate the "Characters" sections, which reveal how both characters play a central role in stressing Solyman's honorable conduct in war and peace. The dramatic centre of the play, as highlighted by the author, is Solyman's honorable character. With such dramatization Davenant departs from the conventional presentation of Turks as moral and political transgressors.展开更多
文摘This study is concerned with William Davenant's dramatization of Solyman the Magnificent as an ideal man of war and peace. The structure of the play and characters are designed to reveal Solyman's honorable character. In the introduction, the author reviews the critical history of The Siege of Rhodes (1661). The section "The Siege" is concerned with the Sultan's attitude to war and his behavior towards his foes, which is marked by ambition and valor. In the section "Victory", the author traces Solyman's generosity and mercy towards the defeated Rhodians. Ianthe and Alphonso dominate the "Characters" sections, which reveal how both characters play a central role in stressing Solyman's honorable conduct in war and peace. The dramatic centre of the play, as highlighted by the author, is Solyman's honorable character. With such dramatization Davenant departs from the conventional presentation of Turks as moral and political transgressors.