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" Historical Sources and Literary Influence in the Cromwell of Victor Hugo. "
Wren, K. P.
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Latin Dissertation
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| Record Number
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1096708
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TLets478054
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| Main Entry
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Wren, K. P.
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| Title & Author
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Historical Sources and Literary Influence in the Cromwell of Victor Hugo.\ Wren, K. P.
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| College
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Royal Holloway, University of London
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| Date
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1974
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1974
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| Degree
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Ph.D.
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| Abstract
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It is habitual for Hugo's 'sources for Cromwell to receivelittle more than a passing word in works of criticism, an attitude which has permitted the accumulation of misconceptionsabout this important piece. Sources, and a writers use of them,can be invaluable for our understanding of any work: all themore so for Cromwell, standing as it does at a turning-point inHugo's career.My purpose has been briefly to place the play in theliterary context of the Restoration, and thereafter to achieve anexegesis of the various influences perceptible in it. This inturn has necessitated an interpretative study of the play guaplay, in which I have tried to show that Royalist and legitimistideology predominates, rather than the Bonapartist and republicanviews ascribed to it by current trends in criticism. It is thedistinction, not the identity, between Napoleon and Cromwell thatmust be stressed.The study of both historical and literary sources revealstwo salient points: the restricted number of works exertingreal influence, and the proportional depth of the influence exerted.In the literary sphere, a significant discovery has beenthe extent of the influence exerted by foreign writers - Scott,Schiller, Shakespeare - which overshadows that of French ones,Vigny excepted. It is demonstrable, moreover, that Hugo'sCromwell has been affected by these influences far more deeplythan has been previously suspected.In every sense, these influences have conformed with the conclusions to be drawn from the interpretative study, underliningHugo's fundamental hostility to Cromwell. A selective useof the Bible by the poet shows this still further.It is my contention that the evidence presented justifiesa profound reappraisal of the place occupied by Cromwell in Hugo'sliterary and political evolution •
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Royal Holloway, University of London
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