After hearing more about James I, It became evident that he completely used Ben Jonson to make the English people believe that the divine right of kings was true. There are multiple blatant examples that Jonson emphasized the divine right of kings for James.
The most blatant example of this comes at the very end of the play. There is a note at the end that says that James enjoyed the play and would see this play performed multiple times, but only after Jonson made some additions. Jonson obliged and created For the Honor of Wales, an additional masque. Even though we didn’t read this in class, I have a feeling that it painted the other members of the United Kingdom in a good light, including James’ home in Scotland.
One of the more subtle examples occurs around line 150, where Mercury is talking about his grandson Atlas and his relationship with a star. He says:
The most blatant example of this comes at the very end of the play. There is a note at the end that says that James enjoyed the play and would see this play performed multiple times, but only after Jonson made some additions. Jonson obliged and created For the Honor of Wales, an additional masque. Even though we didn’t read this in class, I have a feeling that it painted the other members of the United Kingdom in a good light, including James’ home in Scotland.
One of the more subtle examples occurs around line 150, where Mercury is talking about his grandson Atlas and his relationship with a star. He says:
See where he shines, Justice and Wisdom placed About his throne, and those with Honor graced, Beauty and Love! It is not with his brother Bearing the world, but ruling such another
Is his renown.
The references to royalty include a throne and saying that those with honor graced indicates that someone is privileged to be in the same vicinity of a specific person, which is a tenant of royal behavior from that time period.
As the masque continues, Mercury continues telling us about Atlas. He makes references to a mysterious map which points to royal education and the right. This definitely is a firm declaration of royal influence. Here’s more from Jonson:
As the masque continues, Mercury continues telling us about Atlas. He makes references to a mysterious map which points to royal education and the right. This definitely is a firm declaration of royal influence. Here’s more from Jonson:
See how they come and show,
That are but born to know.
Descend, Descend,
Though pleasure lead,
Fear not to follow:
They who are bred
Within the hill Of skill
May safely tread
What path they will, 180
No ground of good is hollow.
Notice his use of Lines 170-172. Those scream Divine right of kings. That isn’t even subtle. That’s basically like standing on a street corner in Manchester with a sign that reads, “JAMES I HAS THE DIVINE RIGHT OF KINGS. HE AND GOD CHAT FREQUENTLY”.