- ホーム
- > 洋書
- > 英文書
- > Literary Criticism
Full Description
During Shakespeare's life, the History Plays were more than a collection of history lessons. They were cause to compare and contrast with the current monarchy and perhaps draw out some allegories and allusions. They were political and therefore dangerous. Yet William Shakespeare from Stratford-on-Avon never spent time in prison, unlike his fellow playwrights, Marlowe, Kyd and Jonson. The identification of authorship candidate, Henry Neville, by James and Rubinstein (2005), has opened the door to reinterpret the canon, particularly the History Plays. With this key, we review these plays. Neville had intimate access to a major history source, the Holinshed Chronicles (1587), had been ambassador to France and spoke French (Henry V), knew the descendents of Jack Cade (Henry VI), knew Crosby Place (Richard III) and lived in Blackfriars (Henry VIII). When Neville became a political prisoner, 'Shakespeare' stopped writing History Plays.
We have accessed Neville's library containing annotated books, suggesting they are source material for the plays. By reference to the Holinshed Chronicles, in particular, we have identified numerous anomalies in the plays that indicate a consistent bias that portrays his ancestors in a positive light, reveals Neville's politics, and his self-portrait.
Contents
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Foreword: Sir Henry Neville and the Shakespeare Authorship Question (by William D. Rubinstein)
Preface
Introduction
1. King John (1199-1216)
2. Edward III (1327-1377)
3. Richard II (1377-1399)
4. Henry IV (1399-1413)
5. Henry V (1413-1422)
6. Henry VI (1422-1461; 1470-1471)
7. Richard III (1483-1485)
8. Henry VIII (1509-1547)
9. The Other History Plays: A Hidden Neville Leitmotif
10. Neville's Trial Statement and Hamlet
11. Poets, Politicians, Vicars and History in 1603
12. The Writer Revealed: Henry Neville in His Political Context
Appendices:
A. The Earl of Southampton, Richard III, Shakespeare and Henry Neville
B. What's a Pelican Doing in Edward III? A Tudor Interpretation of a Plantagenet History Play
Chapter Notes
References
Index
