Application of Antonio Gramsci’s Theory of Hegemony in Understanding Plays
Most of the plays that are political-based may be hard to comprehend, particularly if the author had a target group. However, a reader can solve the mystery through the application of various theoretical and philosophical approaches provided by various authors. Among the most applicable theories in the interpretation of works of literature is that of Antonio Gramsci. Antonio Gramsci’s theory of hegemony explains the manipulation of the value system and morals views of the community where the politicians can tune the view of their followers to retain their dominance. The comprehension of Antonio’s theory helps analyze, understanding, and application of the plays, such as Henry V by William Shakespeare.
Most of the plays are centered on a particular type of leadership. The kind of leadership can help in understanding the aim of the partakers, is it ill or positive? Through such understanding, the reader will be able to avoid inclination and be able to make a judgment that is free from biasness, instead, on the factual presentation made. Learning is made effective by a clear understanding of the content and the possible aim of the author when he or she scripted the work. For instance, to understand the motives of Henry V, Gramsci’s theory can be the primary tool of assessment. Leaders can be driven by greed or willingness to assist, dominance, or willingness to lead, an opportunistic or a visionary leader (Herrmann, 2017). In order to differentiate between the two contrasting terms of leadership, a reader should be equipped with the basic understanding through analyzing the motives, arguments, and the bases of decision-making applied by the leader. For instance, there happens to be a group of people who may have served the country or had participated in activities that proved their patriotism. Such people may require recognition; an act can serve as a threat to any unproductive leader. In such cases, the leader may find excuses for procrastinating such events (Briziarelli & Karikari, 2016). It is left for the reader to understand why leaders made a particular thing, was it appropriate or a reaction? A reader who will have a clue of Gramsci’s theory will, eventually, manage to analyze such a case effectively through assessing the utterances and arguments of the leader.
It is essential to learn when a leader is pursuing a vision or personal interest. The decisions of the leaders do not happen on an open platform; rather, the political leaders make decisions in pursuance of a particular goal. Historically, as in the case of King Henry V, leaders were considered successful due to the achievements made; however, Gramsci’s theory can help in assessing the appropriateness of particular decisions made by the leaders. Acquiring public resources or diverting the aid meant for the public for a specific group is limited to people who have political power (Herrmann, 2017). For instance, the funds for veterans are necessary for their upkeeps and compensation for the time they dedicated to the state. However, leaders may suggest that the funds be used to finance a project that will benefit the veterans and their immediate families. In such a context, the leader can be salivating at the funds or, rather, be willing to boost the assistance the veterans get by initiating investment (Briziarelli & Karikari, 2016). For a reader to differentiate between the two kinds of leaders, it is necessary to have a clear understanding of Gramsci theory. Gramsci’s theory helps one to deduce if the leaders are just abusing the office and finding ways of dominating.
Gramsci’s theory can help in understanding the inclination of the leader in relation to human rights. Some of the leaders may not portray their view in caring for the fellow human being, mainly when the views are negative. In order to understand the view of the leaders, a reader can apply Gramsci’s theory to assess whether the respective political leaders achieve their dominance through alteration of the followers’ cognitive power (Briziarelli & Karikari, 2016). For instance, in the works of literature, particularly the plays, it is evident that the political leaders penetrated to their colonial territories through tuning the view of their colonies. (Briziarelli & Karikari, 2016) For instance, the colonizers can make their colonies that they have a good motive of helping in achieving various dreams, such as industrialization. In the same manner, to understand the notions that dominated King Henry V, a reader may require a glimpse of facts from Gramsci’s theory. A reader who may not have a clue how leaders can initiate some processes as a bait of getting up the ladder will hail unnecessary praises to the leader. Contrarily, readers who have a clue of Gramsci’s theory can keenly observe the results of various decisions, the role of the leaders in various occurrences, and conclude the relationship of all the issues to check on the reliability and the transparency of the respective leader.
Since plays, unlike other forms of literature, are based on direct talks from the partakers, the reader should be keen to understand the argument of various characters. The keenness is critical due to the considerations that the plays may lack many explanations that can help a person to know why a particular character made certain utterances. Thus, in assessing the flow of the argument, a reader that understands Gramsci’s theory will be able to detect any inclination (Herrmann, 2017). It is not possible to conclude a particular character such as Captain Gower, who happens to be under the leadership of King Henry V. or any other leader. For example, leaders that establish laws that aim at shaping the view of what is right or wrong is an example of a leader who manipulates the rights of people being led (Herrmann, 2017). For instance, there are some instances where leaders to impose laws that illegalize the act of civilians questioning or countering the view or order of the leaders. In such a case, through the application of Gramsci’s theory, a reader will be able to understand that the leaders are not assuming the seat as an organizer of people but a person who wishes to achieve personal goals with fewer interruptions.
In conclusion, most of the plays have a person, group of people, who seem to determine the flow of events and occurrences in society. Analysis of a play requires an understanding of the characteristics of various characters that are presented in the play. However, there can be biases if the reader fails to assess, correctly, the traits and the possible trigger and goal of a particular trait. Some of the leaders can act as if they are in the motive of assistance, whereas they are opportunistic who wish to gain dominance through political powers. Gramsci’s theory helps one to understand the possible motive of the leaders. An effective assessment can happen by analyzing the argument and views of the leader. Among the basic fact, that can help in identifying a dominating leader is when they initiate laws and policies that either block the expression of the followers or that tunes the view of the concerned parties.
References
Briziarelli, M., & Karikari, E. (2016). Antonio Gramsci and communication studies. In Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Communication.
Herrmann, A. F. (2017). Hegemony. The International Encyclopedia of Organizational Communication, 1-6.