Robert Greene's Literary Vision

Robert Greene's body of work reflects his keen interest in character portrayal, social critique, and moral exploration. As a writer, he sought to enrich his readers' understanding of language and personality, showcasing heroines and heroes who embody loyalty, patriotism, and humility. Through his romances and essays, Greene invites readers to ponder the complexities of human nature and societal dynamics.

Thematic and Narrative Techniques in Greene's Romances

In Greene’s universe, both individuals and their communities face turmoil due to vices like greed, lust, and arrogance. However, these trials offer a path to humility and a renewed sense of charity. The typical plot of a Greene romance progresses from discord to harmony, emphasizing the restoration of unity and community. Through this journey, characters transition from perversion to regeneration rather than being strictly defined as villains or heroes. Greene's famous work, Pandosto, despite ending tragically, is not fully representative of his broader narrative style, which generally favors reconciliation and redemption.

Exploring "Menaphon"

Greene's Menaphon vividly illustrates his narrative pattern, unfolding a tale where King Democles of Arcadia, driven by insecurity and prophecy, becomes embroiled in family strife. Upon discovering his daughter Sephestia's marriage to Maximius, Democles's wrath leads to a series of mistaken identities and fragmented lives. Disguised identities abound, including Sephestia posing as a shepherdess named Samela, pursued by the persistent Menaphon.

The narrative shifts as time progresses, with Pleusidippus growing into an unruly prince in Thessaly, eventually drawn back to Arcadia by tales of beauty. Greene’s storyline culminates in a dramatic revelation of truths, where hidden identities are unveiled, leading to a reconciliation and the restoration of order. Greene’s characters, through their soliloquies, reveal logical yet flawed thought processes, fostering reader sympathy even for the tyrannical Democles.

Sympathy for Rogues in "A Notable Discovery of Cozenage"

In the conny-catching pamphlets, Greene undertakes the complex task of portraying criminals in a sympathetic light to a puritanical audience. Introducing himself as a critic of deceit, Greene gradually shifts focus to distinguish minor street crimes from more significant societal corruption, like judicial bribery and merchant fraud. His rogues, while defending themselves, often expose the failings of their more "respectable" victims, turning societal norms on their head. Through lively monologues, these characters gain humanity and depth, encouraging readers to question societal values.

Debating Morality in "A Disputation Between a Hee Conny-Catcher and a Shee Conny-Catcher"

The fifth pamphlet in the series, A Disputation Between a Hee Conny-Catcher and a Shee Conny-Catcher, invites readers into a vibrant debate between two criminals, Laurence and Nan. Their conversation, filled with slang and humor, critiques the societal structures that foster crime. While initially seeming to condemn the underworld, Greene subtly implicates broader societal greed and hypocrisy, paralleling the moral decay seen in his romances.

Transformation in "The Conversion of an English Courtezan"

"The Conversion of an English Courtezan" offers a narrative of redemption, mirroring the transformations in Greene’s romances. Here, Greene suggests that societal reform requires collective acknowledgment of shared culpability. This tale of a courtesan’s transformation through genuine love and respect highlights Greene’s belief in the potential for societal harmony, once individual and collective repentance is achieved.

Greene's Poetic Craft Across Genres

To appreciate Robert Greene’s poetry, one must recognize the diversity in his verse, which spans incidental poems within romances, his memorial work A Maiden’s Dream, and his verse comedies. These poems, while primarily centered on romantic love, showcase Greene’s ability to craft varied poetic forms and voices, from ballads to Petrarchan sonnets.

Incidental Poems in Romances

Greene’s incidental poems are characterized by their thematic focus on romantic love and...