Title: Monarchal Images and the Concept of Monarchial Power in German Baroque Dramatist Gryphius’Carolus Stuardus

Abstract: The trial and execution of the king of England, Charles I, by the Independents led by Oliver Cromwell, is considered to be one of the most stunning events in the European history of the 17th century. The German dramatist Andreas Gryphius wrote the tragedyCarolus Stuardus, based on this regicidal event. In this tragedy, Charles was shaped as Christ-like figure, which made an analogy between Charles’s martyrdom and Jesus’ crucifixion. Moreover, Gryphius created Charles as a virtures monarch and Cromwell as morally despicable tyrant in this martyr drama. As matter of fact, Gryphius’ concept of monarchial power was fully demonstrated in his depiction of the monarch.

Keywords: Baroque Drama, Gryphius,Carolus Stuardus, monarchal images, concept of monarchial power

Author: Jue Wang, Ph.D. Candidate, School of Foreign Languages, Peking University, Beijing, China.