Chronicle Plays by Prince Narathippraphanphong: Literary Techniques in Presenting History in the Social Context of His Majesty King Chulalongkorn’s Era

Abstract

                This research paper aims to study the literary techniques employed in the chronicle plays composed by Prince Narathippraphanphong to present historical events from the chronicles of Ayutthaya and to study the relationship between historical representation in chronicle plays and their social contexts. Altogether 13 chronicle plays have been examined. It is found that the poet uses literary techniques, namely naming techniques, subject matter, literary devices, and prosody, to portray knowledge from the chronicles in a play that is fun and entertaining, as well as to connect the events in the chronicle plays to the social contexts during the reign of King Chulalongkorn, specifically portraying political problems during the reign and promoting harmony between the monarch, the civil servants, and the people. As such, the chronicle plays are a form of historical literature that aims to raise awareness of harmony among the nation’s populace, which corresponds with the King’s royal policy and royal initiatives on governing the country at a time when Siam was faced with the perils of Western colonization.