Powerplay: an introduction

In this elective there a number of questions you need to ask as you study your text:

 You need to ask yourself some questions when you study this elective and specifically in relation to your text and your related material of your own choosing:

• What does Powerplay mean?        

Note: This is a composite word made from power and play. Think of the words separately and then together.

• What kinds of power are there in the text?   How are these kinds of power represented in your text?

• Who has the power in the text? How are they represented?

• Who are ‘the people’ in the text?   How are they represented?

• What kinds of powerplay are there in the text?

• Who practices powerplay?

• To what extent does power reside with the people in the text?   How is this represented in your text?

• What insights have you gained into the nature of politics?

 In addition to these considerations, you can also think about whether:

• a study of powerplay also involves the loss of power?

• a study of powerplay also involves the idea of a loss of faith?

• Where does disloyalty or treason fit in?