So THIS is How History Ties In?!
From "Shakespeare and the Idea of Obedience: Gonzalo in The Tempest" by Paul Yachnin in Contexts for Criticism by Keesey:
"Once we realise that Gonzalo is guilty of complicity in Prospero's overthrow, that he obeyed Alonso's command to cast Prospero and Miranda adrift...From Prospero's viewpoint, Gonzalo's obedience to his master (even thoug it has entailed Prospero's suffering and near-death) is praiseworthy because political obedience guarantees the stability of government. Prospero's own experience with disobedient and treacherous subjects (Antonio and Caliban) underlies his praise of Gonzalo..." (42)
Seen in the historical context of Shakespeare's time period (with the problems in the church and loyalties being important with people trying to kill the Queen of England) loyalty would have been a giant issue. People probably knew of the issues and when they went to see The Tempest, they would have probably picked up on the admiration of Prospero for Gonzalo. Gonzalo was indeed loyal to his master's request, even though he probably knew it wasn't right, but he did it anyhow. Prospero was probably thinking, "Why can't I get servants like this?" This obedience that Gonzalo had by following Alonso's orders reflects the kind of "political obedience" that would be admired in the time of William Shakespeare.
I guess that my verdict on using history to criticize is that I think it seems to have its place. Yachnin found a great example of how to apply the text to history. I just hope that when it's my turn, I'll be able to find something as relevant.
Course webpage, please!
I think looking at things from the historical perspective makes sense, perhaps the most so far. When we write, we often write with a voice refelctive of what we are doing now and what's going on in our world now. I doubt Shakespeare was much different.