الفهرس 
The Concept of HonourOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
 |  | from | 35 |  |  |
| | | from | 35 | | |
Abstract
This thesis IS divided into preface, four chapters and conclusion.
Generally, the thesis deals with the consequences of the great political, social &
economic changes that
occurred in the 161
century, and the part they played in the
formation of the concepts and moral values of the age. It also studies how far these were different
from the values of the Middle Ages. This brings about the important of highlighting the two
fundamental movements that characterized the age and brought about the new social structure. These
movements were the Renaissance in culture and the Reformation in religion whose direct influence
was not only religious but political social and economic.
In this age, the theatre was one of the dynamic institutions. It was capable of highlighting the
new changes that took place in that era. Thus the theatre was the target of a great deal of
criticism because of its ability to change the relations between individuals in the society which
were based on the hierarchical system. Hence, it was necessary
before delving into a number of plays to examine how they embodied the spirit of the age, to
present the first chapter entitled Art and Morality. This first chapter is meant to make the reader
aware of the opposing views on the moral values embodied in drama and the part they play in shaping
the society. As for the ensuing three chapters, each of them tackles one of the moral values which
represent the different aspects of society implicit in drama.
The second chapter which is entitled The Concept of Honour includes the economic and social factors
which helped in forming the new vision. It highlights the contradictions and circumstances which
lead to the spreading of crime during this period. This crime emanates from the fact that the
individual was granted freedom of opportunity without being granted equality in its true essence.
The Third Chapter entitled The Concept of Justice focuses on the influence of religious
reformation on politics and the extent to which this movement supports or rejects the idea of
justice which the individual wrenches for himself when the judiciary power fails to realise it for
him. This concept is examined in two selected plays in both the private and public spheres. In the
public sphere, this re instatement of justice takes the form of rebellion against
oppresswn. In this chapter we perceive the wide gap between actions and beliefs.
As for Chapter 4 which comes under the title of Morality of Knowledge, it includes the results of
the renaissance and humanist thought as well as the line of thought adopted by the Neoplatonists.
The Neoplatonists adopted a philosophy that was the result of mingling Platonic ideas with the
Christian doctrine to prove that the human spirit can through love and reason ascend to the Divine.
Thus there were many theories about magic which were in direct opposition to Catholic thought. This
chapter also deals with the connection between experimental sciences and magic. These sciences had
not yet proved their efficacy at that time. The selected plays express these concepts and also
the clear contradictions in the spirit of the age between the quest for material prosperity and
human ambitions and the desire to explore the hidden secrets of the universe and Medieval thought
which always highlighted the triviality of man in the face of the challenges he faces.
Finally, the conclusion includes the most important findings made in the course of the research. It
also throws light on the aim of drama to instruct and delight.