Papers by Moryam VanOpstal
Ramify, 2017
To discern the character and virtues of Henry Monmouth, the titular character of Shakespeare's He... more To discern the character and virtues of Henry Monmouth, the titular character of Shakespeare's Henry the Fifth, we must look at what he says and does. However, judging Henry's true character has proven frustratingly difficult to readers and critics because Henry possesses a singular talent for appearing other than he really is. "Never," the Bishops declare, "came reformation in a flood / With such a heady currance, scouring faults... ." Yet the man who donned the wolf's clothing so well is hard to trust in his new, seeming goodness, and thus Henry's virtue remains a difficulty. Indeed, for all of the learning, piety, nobility, and wisdom for which he has become renowned since ascending the throne, is he truly pious, truly just? This puzzle has divided critics of the play. Is Henry a paragon of Christian kings, as J.M. Walter presents the argument? Or, is he one of the craftiest of Machiavels, which is the more popular opinion of scholars such as Steven Marx and Roy Battenhouse? And yet others, such as Norman Rabkin, argue that Shakespeare wishes to encounter Henry as an enigma, forever impenetrable. The perplexity set before us in the play is no doubt appropriate, being rooted in the perplexity of Henry V himself. Shakespeare, however, deigns to leave us with some resource in discerning his own judgment of this enigmatic king. In the bones of the play itself, which is to say, in the events and themes he dramatizes, Shakespeare establishes a parallel with the first half of the Book of Joshua; in fact, the events in Jos. 4–8 in particular parallel the events in Acts III and IV of Henry V, and there are numerous other resonances between texts. As we consider the main action of the play and Henry’s reason for undertaking the invasion of France, we will
begin to see his motives and the humane ends he has in mind; yet, in
considering the Joshua parallel, we will see Shakespeare’s own comment on the compromised quality of this prudence.
Talks by Moryam VanOpstal
What can Cicero teach us about how to stabilize disordered republics? How does he shed light on p... more What can Cicero teach us about how to stabilize disordered republics? How does he shed light on perennial political teachings that we forget at our own peril? This lecture is the first public lecture I gave after defending my disserrtation on "Cicero's Philosophic Politics." In my talk I unpack the significance of Cicero and his political thought for scholars and citizens today, explaining his teaching on the "status" (Latin for "regime" or "constitution"; Grk. "politeia"), the pattern of development experienced by every republic, and importance of the statesman and the mixed regime to stabilizing republics.
There is no denying the power of economics and social forces in shaping our modern lives. Do thes... more There is no denying the power of economics and social forces in shaping our modern lives. Do these forces also determine our political destiny? Given the powerful forces that dictate so much of life and thought, it might seem that culture is a secondary phenomenon at best. In this talk, given as a part of The Cambridge School of Dallas Faculty Lyceum series, I explore the decisive role that intellectual and cultural formation played in American history. In particular, I explore the influence of Joseph Addison's play "Cato" on key moments in the American Revolution and the slow and the transformative emergence of American Progressivism in the late 19th century.
Conference Presentations by Moryam VanOpstal
It is commonly held that political society is based on an agreement about justice, especially in ... more It is commonly held that political society is based on an agreement about justice, especially in terms of a guarantee of individual rights. Cicero suggests that we need to look elsewhere for the origin and strength of the social fabric, namely, the various forms of friendship. This paper is based on a presentation at ACTC 2017.
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Papers by Moryam VanOpstal
begin to see his motives and the humane ends he has in mind; yet, in
considering the Joshua parallel, we will see Shakespeare’s own comment on the compromised quality of this prudence.
Talks by Moryam VanOpstal
Conference Presentations by Moryam VanOpstal
begin to see his motives and the humane ends he has in mind; yet, in
considering the Joshua parallel, we will see Shakespeare’s own comment on the compromised quality of this prudence.