The Origins of Shakespeare

by Emrys Jones

Examines Shakespeare's uses of cultural factors and trends of early Tudor England and demonstrates the involvement of Henry VI, Richard III, and King John in the life of their time

298 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1977

Reviews

[Dominic H · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. It's a model of clarity and original thinking and research. As Jones says, without Erasmus there would have been no Shakespeare. Informed by Benson's research on the Tudor school curriculum and the influence of Erasmus on that, he persuasively shows how Shakespeare's approach to a new form of drama was shaped. And that shaping wasn't just Erasmian: the demonstration that Jones gives of the importance of the mystery plays is equally illuminating. The section for example on how the downfall of Duke Humphrey in 2 Henry VI is utterly redolent of the trial of Christ in the mystery plays is a joy to read. And Jones was ahead of his time in the mid 1970s in the attention he gave to and his appreciation of the early plays, particularly the Henry VI trilogy and Titus Andronicus. Odd to say perhaps of a book of Shakespearean criticism, but I didn't want this to end.

[Sandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I read a variety of books from divergent genres, I realize I don’t often read academic type books. So it gave me a surprise how much I enjoyed this rather dense (or intense, perhaps) study of Shakespeare’s background and prolific writing.

It was very interesting to learn that during The Bard’s lifetime and the next few generations critics seemed to think he was an aberration, a sort of wunderkind. He was judged to be excessively creative without really having experienced deep education and was a sort of magpie gathering other people’s plots and art to repackage.

Emrys Jones sets out with a steady attack of this notion by reviewing Shakespeare’s youth and education and his clever, ever curious mind. While the author agrees that Shakespeare built upon the ideas and tropes of Elizabethan drama, he asserts that he was brilliant as well as an avid, growing student of his trade.

The breaking down of plotting of the plays and the cleverness of the language, stage instructions, etc. was fascinating for me.

I remain no expert on Shakespeare, but I know this intense background study will only add to my enjoyment of watching Shakespeare performed.

[Albie]

Origins of Shakespeare by Emrys Jones (1977)