Mary I in Writing: Letters, Literature, and Representation

This book explores the representations of Queen Mary I in writing and the process of writing her into literature and other textual sources, covering a wide chronological and geographical scope. It emphasizes words and language, rhetoric, imagery, methodology, source base, genre, narrative, and form, seeking to deepen our understanding of queenship, the early modern era, and modern popular culture.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 298 pages
Publication date: 27 April 2023
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This comprehensive book, in tandem with its companion volume, "Writing Mary I: History, Historiography, and Fiction," delves into the diverse representations of Queen Mary I across various forms of writing and the artistic process of incorporating her into literature and other textual sources. Spanning a vast chronological and geographical expanse, it encompasses the years preceding her accession to the throne in July 1553, as well as the centuries that followed her tragic death in November 1558. Queen Mary's influence extended far and wide, spanning England, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Russia, and Africa. The primary objective of this work is to foreground words and language, both written and spoken, and to explore the intricate connections between rhetoric, imagery, methodology, source base, genre, narrative, form, and other critical aspects of literary production. By presenting these two volumes together, readers are granted an exceptional opportunity to pose fresh questions and seek innovative answers that enhance our understanding of queenship, the early modern era, and modern popular culture.

Introduction:
The study of representations of Queen Mary I in writing has long been a rich and fascinating field, encompassing a wide range of genres and periods. This book, along with its companion volume, aims to explore the diverse ways in which Queen Mary has been portrayed and the artistic processes involved in incorporating her into literature and other textual sources. By examining the various representations of Queen Mary, we can gain a deeper understanding of her character, her reign, and her place in history.

Chronological and Geographical Scope:
The book spans a vast chronological and geographical expanse, covering the years prior to Queen Mary's accession in July 1553, through the centuries that followed her death in November 1558. It encompasses her reign across England, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Russia, and Africa, providing a comprehensive account of her life and legacy. This broad scope allows for a thorough exploration of the various cultural, political, and social contexts in which Queen Mary operated, and it sheds light on the ways in which her character and actions were interpreted and represented by different writers and audiences.

Focus on Words and Language:
At the heart of this book is a commitment to foregrounding words and language. Written, spoken, and acted out, words and language play a crucial role in shaping our understanding of the world and the people around us. This book seeks to draw out the matters of and conversations about rhetoric, imagery, methodology, source base, genre, narrative, form, and other critical aspects of literary production. By examining these elements, we can better understand the ways in which writers and artists have used language to convey their ideas and emotions and to create meaningful and memorable works of art.

Rhetoric, Imagery, and Methodology:
Rhetoric, imagery, and methodology are three key elements that are closely intertwined in the representation of Queen Mary I. Rhetoric refers to the art of persuasive speech and writing, while imagery refers to the use of visual and sensory elements to create a vivid and memorable impression. Methodology, on the other hand, refers to the scientific or artistic approach used by writers and artists to create their work.

In the representation of Queen Mary I, writers and artists have employed a range of rhetorical and imagery techniques to convey their messages and evoke their desired responses. For example, some writers have used powerful and emotive language to describe Queen Mary's character and actions, while others have employed vivid imagery to depict her as a powerful and ruthless ruler. Similarly, artists have used a range of techniques, such as portraiture, sculpture, and painting, to create visual representations of Queen Mary that capture her physical appearance, her personality, and her role in history.

Source Base and Genre:
The source base of the representations of Queen Mary I is diverse and wide-ranging, reflecting the various cultural, historical, and political contexts in which she operated. The book explores the use of primary sources, such as historical documents, letters, and diaries, as well as secondary sources, such as scholarly articles, books, and essays. It also considers the influence of popular culture, such as films, television shows, and video games, on the representation of Queen Mary I.

In terms of genre, the representations of Queen Mary I are varied and include historical fiction, historical drama, biographical fiction, and historical non-fiction. Historical fiction, for example, allows writers to recreate the events and circumstances of Queen Mary's life and reign, while historical drama and biographical fiction provide a more intimate and personal perspective on her character and actions. Historical non-fiction, on the other hand, offers a more objective and scholarly account of her life and legacy.

Narrative and Form:
Narrative and form are two other critical aspects of the representation of Queen Mary I. Narrative refers to the structure and organization of a work of art, while form refers to the visual and sensory elements that are used to create a work of art.

In the representation of Queen Mary I, writers and artists have employed a range of narrative and form techniques to convey their messages and evoke their desired responses. For example, some writers have used a linear narrative structure, while others have used a more fragmented or nonlinear structure to convey the complexity and ambiguity of Queen Mary's character and actions. Similarly, artists have used a range of visual and sensory elements, such as color, texture, and composition, to create works of art that capture the essence of Queen Mary's character and reign.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, this book, in tandem with its companion volume, provides a comprehensive and interdisciplinary exploration of the representations of Queen Mary I in writing. It highlights the diverse ways in which Queen Mary has been portrayed and the artistic processes involved in incorporating her into literature and other textual sources. By foregrounding words and language, rhetoric, imagery, methodology, source base, genre, narrative, form, and other critical aspects of literary production, this book seeks to deepen our understanding of queenship, the early modern era, and modern popular culture. As readers engage with these two volumes, they are invited to pose new questions and seek innovative answers that will enrich our collective knowledge and appreciation of Queen Mary I and her remarkable legacy.

Weight: 419g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030951306
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022