ABSTRACT

The vexed, anomalous historical figure of a powerful, virgin queen and the haunting image of a young woman's dead body unexpectedly found lying at the bottom of a staircase generate countless retellings because the details of their lives correspond so closely with long-standing interests in gossip, power, conspiracy and illicit love. In the Robsart narrative, Elizabeth can be fitted into a number of disparate roles. The queen can be interpreted as mastermind of her rival's murder, unfortunate woman who fell in love with a married man, manipulative seducer, crafty politician or some combination of these. Stereotypically, a powerful woman such as Elizabeth is likely to be painted as an over powering nemesis for the defenseless wife of the attractive, ambitious Robert Dudley. The possibility of a famous queen participating in her romantic rival's murder offers significant fictional promise, despite its indeterminacy.