‘For few mean ill in vaine’: Roxolana and the clash of passion and politics in the Ottoman Court in Fulke Greville's <i>The Tragedy of Mustapha</i> (1609) and Roger Boyle's <i>The Tragedy of Mustapha</i> (1665)

Despite the many historical references to wealth, military strength and political efficiency, Turks were generally represented as violent, lustful despotic figures in early modern cultural discourses. The stereotyped Turk soon populated London stages, thus moulding a recognisable dramatic type whose brutality sexual appetite also combined with corruption. However, this contribution seeks demonstrate, Fulke Greville's Mustapha (1609) Roger Boyle's (1665) instead discuss characters who digress from traditional Orientalist portrayals of incontinence parallels In particular, article engages intersections between gender studies Orientalism investigate how Roxolana, both plays, transgresses representations female Christian-to-Muslim convert, lust distracts Turkish ruler his duties. Both playwrights explore Roxolana's active interest affairs Ottoman Court unexpected alliance she forms Hungarian Queen Isabella when she, at Queen's request, protects Isabella's infant son crown jewels. Their friendship appears echo gift exchanges Elizabeth I Mother, Safiye Sultan, after establishment Levant Company, which are detailed various letters exchanged two monarchs 1599. light this, Greville Boyle could be commenting upon turmoil that James I's succession Stuart Restoration brought about England, given country was more stable religious sense under rule former monarch I.