The influence of the Medieval period on Shakespeare’s plays

THE INFLUENCE OF THE MEDIEVAL PERIOD ON SHAKESPEARE’S PLAYS

Emeritus Professor Michael FM James, Department of Anaesthesia, University of Cape Town

Monday 19–Wednesday 21 January  3.00 pm  COURSE FEES R345; Staff and students R173

The medieval period in England is regarded as the time from the collapse of Roman hegemony (c500 CE) to the last of the Plantagenets (1485) and usurpation by the Tudors. Eight of Shakespeare’s ten history plays were set in, and influenced by, the medieval period, as well as some of the tragedies, notably Macbeth. The major medieval influence in Shakespeare’s time was the relatively recent ‘Wars of the Roses’, since the outcome led to the rise of the Tudors who dominated Shakespeare’s world. The first two lectures focus on the Wars of the Roses tetralogy (Henry VI 1–3 and Richard III), finishing with an alternative view of Richard to that portrayed by the Bard. This tetralogy was among the first of his plays and established Shakespeare’s popularity. The ascension of James I/VI following the death of the last Tudor, Elizabeth I, created a new environment and a need for Shakespeare to establish his influence in the much-changed royal court. The story of Macbeth falls in the middle of the medieval period (c1005–1057) and, although the play bears no resemblance to the historical character, it has strong medieval influences.

Lecture titles

1. The Wars of the Roses and Shakespeare’s early plays
2. Was Richard III the outright villain portrayed by Shakespeare?
3. James I/VI, the Gunpowder Plot and Macbeth

Recommended reading

Bryson, B. 2007. Shakespeare: The World as a Stage. New York: HarperCollins.

Wilson, I. 1993. Shakespeare: The Evidence. United Kingdom: Headline Book Publishing.

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