The Tower of London in English Renaissance Drama

The Tower of London's dual symbolism—both as a symbol of royal authority and as an emblem of opposition to the crown—was prominently explored in English Renaissance drama. This study reveals that while Elizabeth I, James I, and Charles I portrayed the Tower as a site of royal magnificence, playwrights like Shakespeare and Marlowe depicted it instead as a space representing non-royal English identity, challenging the monarchy's narrative. Analyzing 24 history plays from 1579 to c. 1634, the research historicizes the Tower's shifting cultural significance, uncovering its complex role in Renaissance discourse.

Deiter, K. (2011). The Tower of London in English Renaissance Drama. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203895665