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Supernatural Shakespeare: Magic and Ritual in Merry Old England
Immerse yourself in Shakespeare's magical world, filled with supernatural encounters with faeries, ghosts and witches. Frolic with royalty, wander through forests, and experience love layered with enchantment. The Bard’s use of these fantastical phenomena has had a tremendous and enduring influence on authors and audiences for more than four centuries. But what are their origins? Explore the folk beliefs and literary sources that influenced Shakespeare and discover how he assembled his own masterful portraits of these phenomena, giving his plays vibrant life and his characters unforgettable personalities.
- GenresNonfiction
292 pages, Paperback
Published May 1, 2022
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30 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 7, 2022
This is a really weird book. Snodgrass appears to be a religion professor, not a Shakespearean scholar, and so his treatment of the plays and the theatre is focused on analyzing the supernatural and pagan elements. The book organizes the plays by season of the solar year and ecumenical calendar. There is a great deal of tracing various plays' plots to their medieval source works, which is great, and a fair amount of response to quotations from Paglia, Bloom, Hughes, Asmiov (who did write a book on Shax way back when), Fraser, Frye, and Graves. However, the tone of the volume is a strange mixture of academic study and casual snark. That's the part where I trip, tbh, because sarcastic commentary undermines what is otherwise a really interesting examination of the premodern seasonal and semi-pagan folkloric context of Shax, the theatre-goers, and the text of the plays themselves...when ghosts were real and queens ruled by divine right. Besides all that, there are some lovely woodcuts illustrating the seasons. I would have appreciated more notes referencing historical sources but the bibliography seems sound.
ARC
ARC
April 4, 2022
I am not sure what I expected from this book but this read like an academic paper in some ways. I enjoy Shakespeare but this was a bit deeper than I wanted to dive.
June 14, 2022
Like – I suspect – most of humanity, I’m a big fan of Shakespeare’s work, but I’m also not alone in feeling that I’ve missed a some of the depth and texture of his plays. Both language and the body of common / popular knowledge have evolved and migrated tremendously since the Elizabethan era. This makes a market for books that offer insight into the age and the role that the beliefs, norms, and daily life played in Shakespeare’s theatrical works. This book is one such work. It focuses on the role supernatural beings and various festivals play in the Shakespearean canon and why they do so.
Conceptions of the supernatural may be one of the areas in which human beliefs have changed most severely since Shakespeare’s day. The book has chapters on witches, ghosts, fairies, and enchanted forests that are interspersed among chapters that deal with various seasonal festivals of Pagan origin. I did find this leapfrogging around a bit odd, but I would speculate two possible reasons for it. First, the author may have wanted to build cyclicality into the overall organization, and thus put beings and creatures that seemed thematically related to a season near its festivals. Second, it may have seemed like a good idea to break up the festivals because that discussion could have felt tedious to a general reader if it’d been clumped together (as opposed to the “sexier” topics of witches and ghosts and the like.) This organization didn’t bother me; it just seemed a bit strange, but I could imagine it being for the best.
I learned a great deal from this book, and my newly gained knowledge wasn’t all about the supernatural elements of Shakespeare. The author dropped some fascinating facts regarding other domains as well – such as Elizabethan sexuality and lifestyles as well as biographical facts about Shakespeare. If you’re looking to expand your understanding of background information relevant to Shakespeare’s plays, this book is worth looking into.
Conceptions of the supernatural may be one of the areas in which human beliefs have changed most severely since Shakespeare’s day. The book has chapters on witches, ghosts, fairies, and enchanted forests that are interspersed among chapters that deal with various seasonal festivals of Pagan origin. I did find this leapfrogging around a bit odd, but I would speculate two possible reasons for it. First, the author may have wanted to build cyclicality into the overall organization, and thus put beings and creatures that seemed thematically related to a season near its festivals. Second, it may have seemed like a good idea to break up the festivals because that discussion could have felt tedious to a general reader if it’d been clumped together (as opposed to the “sexier” topics of witches and ghosts and the like.) This organization didn’t bother me; it just seemed a bit strange, but I could imagine it being for the best.
I learned a great deal from this book, and my newly gained knowledge wasn’t all about the supernatural elements of Shakespeare. The author dropped some fascinating facts regarding other domains as well – such as Elizabethan sexuality and lifestyles as well as biographical facts about Shakespeare. If you’re looking to expand your understanding of background information relevant to Shakespeare’s plays, this book is worth looking into.
March 8, 2023
Not for the casual reader.
With frequent references to 'bardolatry' (aka, the excessive admiration of Shakespeare) it should be no surprise that Snodgrass has committed fully to the dissection of supernatural elements in Shakesperean works. Rather than reading like a thesis, Snodgrass presents many short studies with examples for each in historical context. Surprisingly, not all supernatural elements are paranormal as I might have expected. In fact, a great number of Snodgrass' examples deal with thematic elements, especially as they relate to the English commoners who would have been the primary audience for his performances.
As a fan of formative English works I have read many lighthearted books about Shakespeare presented through differing lenses. This, while unique, digestible, and informative did lose me on several occasions of plodding reiteration. However, if you are feeling scholarly or looking to up your Bard trivia, this would be an excellent read for you!
I am very much looking forward to the continuation of this series in fall 2023: Shakespeare's Goddess!
[Thank you to Edelweiss and New Idea Press for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.]
With frequent references to 'bardolatry' (aka, the excessive admiration of Shakespeare) it should be no surprise that Snodgrass has committed fully to the dissection of supernatural elements in Shakesperean works. Rather than reading like a thesis, Snodgrass presents many short studies with examples for each in historical context. Surprisingly, not all supernatural elements are paranormal as I might have expected. In fact, a great number of Snodgrass' examples deal with thematic elements, especially as they relate to the English commoners who would have been the primary audience for his performances.
As a fan of formative English works I have read many lighthearted books about Shakespeare presented through differing lenses. This, while unique, digestible, and informative did lose me on several occasions of plodding reiteration. However, if you are feeling scholarly or looking to up your Bard trivia, this would be an excellent read for you!
I am very much looking forward to the continuation of this series in fall 2023: Shakespeare's Goddess!
[Thank you to Edelweiss and New Idea Press for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.]
February 5, 2024
Thank you to City of Light Publishing for a digital copy of this book for a fair and honest review!
Supernatural Shakespeare is a detailed exploration on the supernatural properties and references in Shakespeare’s work, both references a modern reader would understand, like witches, and ones J. Snodgrass gives us context for, such as Lupercalia. Shakespeare’s use of magical creatures and references to old rites has always interested me, and this was a fun albeit slow read.
Like with Shakespeare’s Goddess, I admired how Snodgrass gave plenty of context and background to readers who may know next to nothing of the historical and political influences on Shakespeare’s work, which helped me appreciate the supernatural analysis all the more.
However, I feel like this text is much more dry than Goddess, and doesn’t have any witty asides or breaks from heavy analysis or history lessons. If you’re interested in the otherworldly elements of Shakespeare or want to learn more about his work in a lens outside of scholarly analysis, I do think it’s worth the read; maybe to take it section by section as you’re interested in.
Supernatural Shakespeare is a detailed exploration on the supernatural properties and references in Shakespeare’s work, both references a modern reader would understand, like witches, and ones J. Snodgrass gives us context for, such as Lupercalia. Shakespeare’s use of magical creatures and references to old rites has always interested me, and this was a fun albeit slow read.
Like with Shakespeare’s Goddess, I admired how Snodgrass gave plenty of context and background to readers who may know next to nothing of the historical and political influences on Shakespeare’s work, which helped me appreciate the supernatural analysis all the more.
However, I feel like this text is much more dry than Goddess, and doesn’t have any witty asides or breaks from heavy analysis or history lessons. If you’re interested in the otherworldly elements of Shakespeare or want to learn more about his work in a lens outside of scholarly analysis, I do think it’s worth the read; maybe to take it section by section as you’re interested in.
June 19, 2022
I really liked this book! Snodgrass brings solid scholarship and a down-to-Earth voice to the Shakespeare table and does a good job compiling research and publications about the Bard’s use of supernatural elements throughout his work. As a Shakespeare scholar and folklorist, I found the information useful, accurate, and thought-provoking. I will definitely purchase a hardback copy for my professional library!
Snodgrass organized the information well; I particularly liked the focus on holidays and their supernatural connections both in Shakespeare’s work and in the Early Modern period. Snodgrass does have a less formal voice, which is great for the purpose of connecting Shakespeare to the average reader rather than writing solely for other academics. At times, he repeats himself almost verbatim from chapter to chapter and there are a few opinions laced through the text which could have been edited out for a more scholarly take. I also would like a few more citations or notes indicating what is research and what is the author’s opinion or supposition.
Snodgrass organized the information well; I particularly liked the focus on holidays and their supernatural connections both in Shakespeare’s work and in the Early Modern period. Snodgrass does have a less formal voice, which is great for the purpose of connecting Shakespeare to the average reader rather than writing solely for other academics. At times, he repeats himself almost verbatim from chapter to chapter and there are a few opinions laced through the text which could have been edited out for a more scholarly take. I also would like a few more citations or notes indicating what is research and what is the author’s opinion or supposition.
April 18, 2022
I confess that during my time in University studying English, Shakespeare confused me totally. I even read Lamb's collection to understand the plays! However this book by J Snograss is one I wish that I had had at the time. The writing in this book is very refreshing for what would normally be an academic book, the author is light hearted with many amusing asides and I feel it is very accessible to any lay reader with an interest in learning about his plays and more importantly the context behind the writings of Shakespeare. I have read some of the reviews and was disappointed they were not more positive. However I did enjoy this publication very much and will almost certainly buy a hard copy, it will be a useful reference book to have in my very full bookcase. This is a book to 'dip into' but is just as interesting read in entirety as I did. Many congrats to the author, City of light publishing and Netgalley for an advanced copy of Supernatural Shakespeare.
March 28, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley and City of Light Publishing for the ARC. I am not a Shakespeare fanatic by any means but I have enjoyed studying his work in school and attending performances at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater. This felt like I was reading a graduate thesis from a university rather than a new exploration of the work but that is my own bias going directly from fiction to nonfiction. It was interesting to learn more about the oral traditions that Shakespeare codified and the author expressed perfectly that it does not matter who wrote Shakespeare's plays but it matters who he was writing for and who was watching it live. If you want to know more about Shakespeare, you cannot go wrong with this book.
May 17, 2022
What a complete and fascinating book this is!
Seriously, I was quite surprised by the amount of fantasy that Shakespeare managed in his works, but this book has taught me that he went further, and that in a certain way this autir was something from another world.
I love fantasy and I love the few works of Shakespeare that I have read, but after this I want to read everything.
Super recommended!
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Que libro mas completo y fascinante es este!
En serio me sorprendió bastante la cantidad de fantasía que manejaba Shakespeare en sus obras, pero este libro me ha enseñado que iba mas allá, y que en cierta manera este autor era algo de otro mundo.
Amo la fantasía y me encantan las pocas obras de Shakespeare que he leído, pero después de esto quiero leerlo todo.
Super recomendado!
Seriously, I was quite surprised by the amount of fantasy that Shakespeare managed in his works, but this book has taught me that he went further, and that in a certain way this autir was something from another world.
I love fantasy and I love the few works of Shakespeare that I have read, but after this I want to read everything.
Super recommended!
-----------
Que libro mas completo y fascinante es este!
En serio me sorprendió bastante la cantidad de fantasía que manejaba Shakespeare en sus obras, pero este libro me ha enseñado que iba mas allá, y que en cierta manera este autor era algo de otro mundo.
Amo la fantasía y me encantan las pocas obras de Shakespeare que he leído, pero después de esto quiero leerlo todo.
Super recomendado!
March 17, 2022
The book is an interesting take of the works of Shakespeare. It has categorized various of his plays, dramas and other works into different sections of Witches, Afterlife, Ghosts, Faries, Enchanted forests and more.
After my recent hetric of pretty average reads, Happy to find something with a fresh perspective and an unorthodox retelling.
The overall book pics and translates various phrases.
The book can be an great read for Shakespeare fans who would like to have a quick revist of different characters. But would I ever reread this? Probably not!
I would give this a happy 🤗🤗🤗🤗/5 hugs for reminding of all the Shakespearean memories 💖
May 3, 2022
When I requested an eARC of Supernatural Shakespeare by J. Snodgrass I was hoping for creative non-fiction about the vast mythology and culture behind Shakespeare's classic plays like A Mid Summer Night's Dream. What I got felt like a rather dry undergraduate essay that just barely scratched the surface and provided a lot of information that anyone who has studied the plays at more than a basic high school level would already know. I've seen comments from other reviewers that the author appears to be a relgious expert first, above any literary expertise, and I can certainly see that influence. I did get a feel of bias in regard to the pagan elements of Shakespeare's works and the history behind them. What I will say in praise of this book is that I had not yet read something that devoted attention to oral history traditions in the context of Shakespeare's work quite like this, so that was refreshing and interesting. I wish we could have had more of that!
September 6, 2022
This was a really enjoyable book! The author offered a fresh and unique perspective on Shakespeare's plays that made me want to reread Shakespeare myself. It made me realize that no matter how well we might know works of classic literature, there is always more to learn and new depths of understanding.
April 24, 2022
I found the part about the oral tradition quite interesting and learned something new.
On the other side I found it a bit dry and not always kept my attention.
Not my cup of tea.
Many thanks to the publisher afor this ARC, all opinions are mine
On the other side I found it a bit dry and not always kept my attention.
Not my cup of tea.
Many thanks to the publisher afor this ARC, all opinions are mine
March 1, 2025
This and its companion volume (Shakespeare's Goddess) should be required reading for budding Theatre and Lit majors. The Bard is brought to earth in a series of essays connecting the syphilitic old man to his time of social and religious upheaval, discovering unexpected connections and parallels in his range of comedies, tragedies, histories, and romances.
This first volume surveys the elements of folklore and folk ritual that underlie Shakespeare's works. The quirkiness of Snodgrass' prose brought to mind Isaac Asimov's early-1970s treatment of Shakespeare, so it was hardly a surprise when a reference to those works appeared early in the endnotes. (The notes themselves are worth the price of admission.) Another verboten reference is Robert Graves and his follower Ted Hughes (and probably a few more in the substantial bibliography). So, no heavyweight scholar of Shakespeare will cite these books due to their unfashionable parentage but, paraphrasing Graves, neither can they disprove these insights.
The essays themselves are blessedly free of post-whatever bafflegab. Agree or disagree, Snodgrass sets forth a starting place for discussion and follows through. The big names of the Shakespearean canon are here in abundance, as well as lesser-known works such as The Two Noble Kinsman, Corialanus, Loves Labours Lost (which I have always considered The Play Without A Plot), Pericles, Troilus and Cressida, the histories, et cetera, as well as the the generally overlooked Venus and Adonis. They all fit without hammering them into a preconceived mould of what they should be. There is very little concern with quartos and folios and quibbling over variant interpretations.
This is a great book for dipping into in odd moments. If bulldozing through volumes is your usual process, you will indeed find some repetition. If you like to smile at unexpected connections and surprising insights, and learn about the world in which these works first appeared (with the occasional bit of snark), this is Shakespeare for you.
This first volume surveys the elements of folklore and folk ritual that underlie Shakespeare's works. The quirkiness of Snodgrass' prose brought to mind Isaac Asimov's early-1970s treatment of Shakespeare, so it was hardly a surprise when a reference to those works appeared early in the endnotes. (The notes themselves are worth the price of admission.) Another verboten reference is Robert Graves and his follower Ted Hughes (and probably a few more in the substantial bibliography). So, no heavyweight scholar of Shakespeare will cite these books due to their unfashionable parentage but, paraphrasing Graves, neither can they disprove these insights.
The essays themselves are blessedly free of post-whatever bafflegab. Agree or disagree, Snodgrass sets forth a starting place for discussion and follows through. The big names of the Shakespearean canon are here in abundance, as well as lesser-known works such as The Two Noble Kinsman, Corialanus, Loves Labours Lost (which I have always considered The Play Without A Plot), Pericles, Troilus and Cressida, the histories, et cetera, as well as the the generally overlooked Venus and Adonis. They all fit without hammering them into a preconceived mould of what they should be. There is very little concern with quartos and folios and quibbling over variant interpretations.
This is a great book for dipping into in odd moments. If bulldozing through volumes is your usual process, you will indeed find some repetition. If you like to smile at unexpected connections and surprising insights, and learn about the world in which these works first appeared (with the occasional bit of snark), this is Shakespeare for you.
February 2, 2023
Supernatural Shakespeare is a non-fiction book about (surprise!) the supernatural elements in Shakespeare and further cultural context surrounding the use of the supernatural in the plays. I am a fan of Shakespeare and folk beliefs, especially from the Early Modern period, so I was excited to give this book a read!
I definitely learned more about what people believed during Shakespeare's time. It was interesting to see how the fantastical elements differ from more modern beliefs surrounding ghosts, fairies, etc. I loved reading about things that are not present in our folk beliefs today, such as Queen Mab, and why she was portrayed the way she was in the plays. I feel like I got more context and like that I have a different lens in which to view the stories.
However, this book felt much more like academic reading than it felt like a standard non-fiction book. I wish that I had this book for a Shakespeare or Early Modern folk belief essay but sadly those days are far behind me. I found the chapters and passages from plays to really drag and I felt like I had to hit a certain quota to fulfil my class requirement. I'm surprised that I didn't write down quotes from a force of habit.
Overall, I recommend this book for academic research or if you are a die hard Shakespeare fan. Three stars from me. Thank you to City of Light Publishing and NetGalley for the electronic advanced reader's copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
I definitely learned more about what people believed during Shakespeare's time. It was interesting to see how the fantastical elements differ from more modern beliefs surrounding ghosts, fairies, etc. I loved reading about things that are not present in our folk beliefs today, such as Queen Mab, and why she was portrayed the way she was in the plays. I feel like I got more context and like that I have a different lens in which to view the stories.
However, this book felt much more like academic reading than it felt like a standard non-fiction book. I wish that I had this book for a Shakespeare or Early Modern folk belief essay but sadly those days are far behind me. I found the chapters and passages from plays to really drag and I felt like I had to hit a certain quota to fulfil my class requirement. I'm surprised that I didn't write down quotes from a force of habit.
Overall, I recommend this book for academic research or if you are a die hard Shakespeare fan. Three stars from me. Thank you to City of Light Publishing and NetGalley for the electronic advanced reader's copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
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