The Cambridge Introduction to Shakespeare's

Shakespeares history plays, as fresh today as when they were written, are based upon the assumption that time is not simply a destroyer but a preserver, and that examples past might enable us to understand the present and anticipate the future. This lively study examines the continuing tradition of Shakespeares history plays in stage and film productions as well as giving an account of the critical debate on these plays. Following two introductory chapters giving essential background on the genre, the English history plays are discussed in turn, bringing out the distinctive characteristics of each play: the three early Henry VI plays; the perennial stage favourite Richard III; King John; Richard II; Henry IV 1 and 2, famous for the character of Falstaff; Henry V, which is treated very differently in the film versions by Olivier and Branagh; and Henry VIII. An invaluable introduction to these fascinating and complex plays.

List of illustrations	p. viii
Acknowledgements	p. ix
The uses of history	p. 1
Renaissance ideas of history	p. 1
Shakespeare's history plays	p. 7
The genre and its conventions	p. 11
The wars of the critics	p. 15
Hall, Holinshed, and Tillyard	p. 15
Shakespearean ambivalence: liberals and sceptics	p. 17
New Historicism and ideology	p. 18
The paper crown: 1, 2, and 3 Henry VI	p. 23
Henry VI and the critics	p. 23
Stage history, 1963-2006	p. 25
1 Henry VI: brave Talbot and his adversaries	p. 28
2 Henry VI: 'Thou art not king'	p. 31
3 Henry VI: Tiger's heart	p. 37
Determined to prove a villain: Richard III	p. 45
Stage and screen	p. 45
Shakespeare and More	p. 49
Tyrant, seducer, and clown	p. 51
Deformity	p. 59
Nemesis	p. 61
Gain, be my lord: King John	p. 70
The uncertainties of King John	p. 70
Mad world, mad kings	p. 73
Machiavels and victims	p. 78
The Bastard's progress	p. 84
The death of kings: Richard II	p. 91
'I am Richard II. Know ye not that?'	p. 91
Rival monarchs	p. 97
The wasteful king	p. 100
The name of king	p. 103
'Down, down, I come like glistering Phaeton'	p. 107
The lamentable tale of me	p. 111
Lord of Misrule: 1 and 2 Henry IV	p. 117
Kings and clowns	p. 117
'When thou art king'	p. 120
'The immortal Falstaff'	p. 125
'This chair shall be my state'	p. 129
Honour	p. 135
Part 2: old age, disease, and death	p. 139
Band of brothers: Henry V	p. 144
The reformed Prince	p. 144
War and politics	p. 148
The death of Bardolph: rewriting Henry V	p. 153
Imaginary forces	p. 160
Brotherhood and hierarchy	p. 164
Epilogue: Henry VIII	p. 168
Pomp and glory	p. 168
Farewell to greatness	p. 170
Kings as gods	p. 174
Notes	p. 179
Bibliography	p. 194
Index	p. 203
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.

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The Cambridge Introduction to Shakespeare's History Plays

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