James I: The Life of the Shakespearean Patron Essay -- England

On June 19, 1566 in Edinburgh, Scotland, King James Stuart I was born. At the tender age of only thirteen months, young James was crowned king of Scotland. As a descendant of King Henry VII’s Tudor dynasty, and the offspring of Queen Mary of Scots and her second husband, Lord Darnley of England, James I inherited great power and responsibility. Through an impeccable education, James I attempted to resolve personal both personal and governmental issues, as he became a respected and acknowledged patron of the arts. Although he ended England’s war with Spain, strengthened the Church of Scotland, and rehabilitated relations with England, King James I’s flaws were constantly targeted. His inability to handle finances and his obvious homosexuality were also often found offensive. But the king’s love for theatre sparked the most controversy, as it was believed to be James’s biggest weakness. In fact, James I was a king of many inconsistencies. Despite his history of capable rule, he was constantly haunted by the fear of not being affectionate enough to those close to him. As a vigorous hunter, James showcased courage bordering on stupidity as a horseman, but had an overwhelming fear of knives and other drawn weapons. Other than the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, there had never been a legitimate threat to his life or wellbeing. Never the less, James wore unreasonably heavy clothing to protect himself against potential knife attacks. But James’ paranoia and twenty-nine year reign of Scotland did little to prepare himself for the English monarch. England and Scotland, rivals for years, virtually hated each other. This deep-rooted mistrust, along with clashing religious views, severely limited James’ chance of a successful reign. King James ... ...n honor of King James I. Even after being ridiculed for his sexuality and called an incompetent leader, King James I became a respected patron of the arts as he grew intellectual and wise through his reign. King James I was not entirely unsuccessful, but his Scottish background failed to gain him the respect of the English society. Works Cited Andrews, John F. â€Å"James I.† Shakespeare’s World and Work. Vol. 3. Print. Brown, Henry. â€Å"King James I: Shakespeare’s Patron.† Shakespeare-online. J. M. Dent & Sons, 20 Aug. 2009. Web. 1 Aug. 2012. . Butler, John. â€Å"James I of England.† Luminarium. N.p., 30 Oct. 2006. Web. 3 Apr. 2012. . Dewar, David. â€Å"James I.† Facts on File. N.p., 2012. Web. 1 Apr. 2012. . Shostak, Elizabeth. â€Å"James I.† Elizabethan World-Biographies. 129. Print.