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comparisons and differences between Oliver Cromwell and Prince Charles in the classic literature Oliver Cromwell by Nathaneil Hawthorne

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"Olliver Cromwell" by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a work that explores the life and times of Oliver Cromwell, the English military and political leader, rather than being a direct analysis of Prince Charles, who would later become Charles II. However, drawing comparisons between Oliver Cromwell and Prince Charles (especially in the context of the English Civil War and the Restoration) can provide interesting insights, particularly in terms of their contrasting views on governance, authority, and their roles in English history.

### Comparisons:

1. **Leadership during Turmoil**: Both Cromwell and Prince Charles played significant roles during a particularly tumultuous period in English history. Cromwell emerged as a leader during the English Civil War, opposing the monarchy, while Charles was the figurehead of the royalist cause.

2. **Public Perception**: Each figure had a complex relationship with public perception. Cromwell is often seen as a protector of the Parliament and a champion of the Commonwealth, while Prince Charles was viewed both as a legitimate ruler and a symbol of royal authority. Their legacies are shaped by the public's support or opposition, both historically and in literature.

3. **Religious Influence**: Religion played a pivotal role in the decisions and motivations of both figures. Cromwell had puritanical influences which shaped his governance, while Prince Charles’s beliefs and the Anglican Church significantly influenced his rule, especially his attempts to enforce religious uniformity.

### Differences:

1. **Governance Style**: Cromwell was a military leader who favored a more republican and sometimes authoritarian style of governance, believing in rule by Parliament (albeit under military oversight). In contrast, Prince Charles represented the monarchial tradition, emphasizing the divine right of kings and the need for absolute monarchy.

2. **Outcome of Their Leadership**: Cromwell's leadership led to the temporary abolishment of the monarchy and the establishment of the Commonwealth. In contrast, Prince Charles faced the execution of his father, Charles I, and his own eventual restoration to the throne in 1660, which reinstated the monarchy and shaped the future of England.

3. **Legacy and Historical Judgment**: Cromwell is often judged in starkly different lights—seen by some as a hero of the republic and by others as a tyrant. Prince Charles, on the other hand, is often remembered more fondly in the context of the Restoration and the cultural flowering that followed his return.

### Conclusion

In the context of Hawthorne’s writing, and literature more broadly, the nuanced exploration of these two figures reveals the complexity of leadership, governance, and public sentiment in a divided England. Their legacies serve as reflections of the delicate balance between power and authority, as well as the shifting tides of political ideology during a pivotal moment in history.

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