The Sun King and his subjects: reciprocity in a commonplace of power.

Maber, Richard G.

Abstract

This is the second volume from the Commonplace Culture series. It analyses the use of commonplaces to bolster power, or sometimes to question it. The volume focuses on the seventeenth century. In the latter part of this period, the status and cognitive scope of the printed commonplace book declined; yet, a sthe essays in this volume demonstrate, the cognitive practices evidenced in commonplace books continued to enjoy good health. The 'commonplaces' analysed by contributors to this volume constitute cultural objects which gained persuasive potential from the exploitation of material bearing the authority of the past, yet they are not commonplaces stricto sensu. The essays in the volume examine not only written texts but also theatre, music, processions, ballets, and royal entries. In particular, the notion of the commonplace is taken into the visual domain, indicating that in the seventeenth century the visual was central to those diverse practices which sought to shore up God-given power through the pre-existing authority of commonplace material.

Citation

Maber, R. G. (2011). The Sun King and his subjects: reciprocity in a commonplace of power. In K. Banks, & P. Bossier (Eds.), Authority & Persuasion: The Role of Commonplaces in Western Europe (c1450-c1800), II: Consolidation of Godgiven Power. (Groningen Studies in Cultural Change). Peeters Publishers

• Publication Date: 2011
• Publisher: Peeters Publishers
• Series Number: 40
• Edition: Groningen Studies in Cultural Change
• Book Title: Authority & Persuasion: The Role of Commonplaces in Western Europe (c1450-c1800), II: Consolidation of Godgiven Power.
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1664268
• Publisher URL: http://www.peeters-leuven.be/boekoverz.asp?nr=8957