Shakespeare and Happiness

Abstract

This article addresses the idea of happiness in Shakespeare in light of new developments in psychology and moral philosophy. Shakespeare scholarship has been well served by these two critical discourses, both of which are instrumentally concerned with the subject of happiness. The recent spate of research on happiness within and across the two fields, as evidenced by the revival of classical virtue ethics and by the advent of new fields such as positive psychology, attests to the enduring relevance of the topic. Moreover, it provides a grand opportunity for scholars to reconsider what happiness means for Shakespeare, both as a psychological condition and as a philosophical ideal. This article suggests direction for further inquiry into the subject of Shakespeare and happiness by examining two plays: Richard III and Troilus and Cressida. Together, the plays showcase not only the depth of Shakespeare’s concern with happiness, but also the tragic potential that underlies a world where diverse notions of happiness compete for our interest.