Helicanus as 'a figure of truth, faith and loyalty' in Shakespeare's Pericles

Pericles has been the focus of most Shakespearean scholars, discussing issues ranging from the play’s narrative sources to the protagonist’s leadership qualities. But the present paper will center its arguments on Helicanus, the neglected servant character of the play. Although loyalty is assumed in...

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Main Authors: Ali Termizi, Arbaayah, Toh, Florence Haw Ching
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Center for Promoting Ideas 2012
Online Access:http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/22685/1/Helicanus%20as%20%27a%20figure%20of%20truth%2C%20faith%20and%20loyalty%27%20in%20Shakespeare%27s%20Pericles.pdf
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author Ali Termizi, Arbaayah
Toh, Florence Haw Ching
author_facet Ali Termizi, Arbaayah
Toh, Florence Haw Ching
author_sort Ali Termizi, Arbaayah
collection UPM
description Pericles has been the focus of most Shakespearean scholars, discussing issues ranging from the play’s narrative sources to the protagonist’s leadership qualities. But the present paper will center its arguments on Helicanus, the neglected servant character of the play. Although loyalty is assumed in master-servant relationships during the Renaissance, the paper provides evidence that corrupted practices within the Elizabethan ruling class and its subordinates overcomes the need to be loyal. Despite being surrounded by the prevailing temptation for power, Helicanus remained as an epitome of loyalty in his service towards his master, Pericles. The paper extracts examples from relevant scenes in the play depicting portrayals of loyalty displayed by this servant character towards Pericles. In short Helicanus’ loyalty becomes the fundamental drive which elevates Pericles’ status in the play. Therefore, the study aims to heighten the appreciation of Shakespeare’s Pericles through the understanding and emphasis of the significance of its dramatic servant characters.
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spelling upm.eprints-226852020-03-05T06:36:11Z http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/22685/ Helicanus as 'a figure of truth, faith and loyalty' in Shakespeare's Pericles Ali Termizi, Arbaayah Toh, Florence Haw Ching Pericles has been the focus of most Shakespearean scholars, discussing issues ranging from the play’s narrative sources to the protagonist’s leadership qualities. But the present paper will center its arguments on Helicanus, the neglected servant character of the play. Although loyalty is assumed in master-servant relationships during the Renaissance, the paper provides evidence that corrupted practices within the Elizabethan ruling class and its subordinates overcomes the need to be loyal. Despite being surrounded by the prevailing temptation for power, Helicanus remained as an epitome of loyalty in his service towards his master, Pericles. The paper extracts examples from relevant scenes in the play depicting portrayals of loyalty displayed by this servant character towards Pericles. In short Helicanus’ loyalty becomes the fundamental drive which elevates Pericles’ status in the play. Therefore, the study aims to heighten the appreciation of Shakespeare’s Pericles through the understanding and emphasis of the significance of its dramatic servant characters. Center for Promoting Ideas 2012 Article PeerReviewed text en http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/22685/1/Helicanus%20as%20%27a%20figure%20of%20truth%2C%20faith%20and%20loyalty%27%20in%20Shakespeare%27s%20Pericles.pdf Ali Termizi, Arbaayah and Toh, Florence Haw Ching (2012) Helicanus as 'a figure of truth, faith and loyalty' in Shakespeare's Pericles. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 2 (5). pp. 246-254. ISSN 2220-8488; ESSN: 2221-0989 https://www.ijhssnet.com/journal/index/889
spellingShingle Ali Termizi, Arbaayah
Toh, Florence Haw Ching
Helicanus as 'a figure of truth, faith and loyalty' in Shakespeare's Pericles
title Helicanus as 'a figure of truth, faith and loyalty' in Shakespeare's Pericles
title_full Helicanus as 'a figure of truth, faith and loyalty' in Shakespeare's Pericles
title_fullStr Helicanus as 'a figure of truth, faith and loyalty' in Shakespeare's Pericles
title_full_unstemmed Helicanus as 'a figure of truth, faith and loyalty' in Shakespeare's Pericles
title_short Helicanus as 'a figure of truth, faith and loyalty' in Shakespeare's Pericles
title_sort helicanus as a figure of truth faith and loyalty in shakespeare s pericles
url http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/22685/1/Helicanus%20as%20%27a%20figure%20of%20truth%2C%20faith%20and%20loyalty%27%20in%20Shakespeare%27s%20Pericles.pdf
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