Shakespeare - The history plays

It is part of Shakespeares extraordinary contribution to our culture that, through his dramas based on English history, he played a unique part in forming our view of ourselves and our nationhood. From King John, in which through Magna Carta the kings absolute power was first limited and the peoples freedoms assured, to--almost in his own lifetime--Henry VIII, Shakespeare wrote a series of ten plays portraying the course of history. It represents almost one third of his entire dramatic output. The overarching theme of these plays is the vital importance of the sovereigns legitimacy if the nation is to be stable. They cover revolutionary times and events--the deposition and murder of Richard II, the Wars of the Roses, the usurping of the throne by Richard III--but they always affirm the principle that a legitimate king, circumscribed by an agreed constituion, is the only proper guarantee of the nations liberties. There are many other ways in which Shakespeares patriotism has become definitive. In Henry Vs St. Crispins Day speech to the troops before Agincourt, for example, or John of gaunts scepterd isle speech, a sense of Englishness is expressed which still lives in English minds today. The E;izabethans pride in nationhood was perfectly embodied by Shakespeare, but the poetry of it transcends its own time. In this edition the history plays are brought together with a large group of illustrations which echo and amplify their themes. Gloriously vivid images of Englands story are presented here, putting the great plays in a magnificent setting. Read more...
Abstract: It is part of Shakespeares extraordinary contribution to our culture that, through his dramas based on English history, he played a unique part in forming our view of ourselves and our nationhood. From King John, in which through Magna Carta the kings absolute power was first limited and the peoples freedoms assured, to--almost in his own lifetime--Henry VIII, Shakespeare wrote a series of ten plays portraying the course of history. It represents almost one third of his entire dramatic output. The overarching theme of these plays is the vital importance of the sovereigns legitimacy if the nation is to be stable. They cover revolutionary times and events--the deposition and murder of Richard II, the Wars of the Roses, the usurping of the throne by Richard III--but they always affirm the principle that a legitimate king, circumscribed by an agreed constituion, is the only proper guarantee of the nations liberties. There are many other ways in which Shakespeares patriotism has become definitive. In Henry Vs St. Crispins Day speech to the troops before Agincourt, for example, or John of gaunts scepterd isle speech, a sense of Englishness is expressed which still lives in English minds today. The E;izabethans pride in nationhood was perfectly embodied by Shakespeare, but the poetry of it transcends its own time. In this edition the history plays are brought together with a large group of illustrations which echo and amplify their themes. Gloriously vivid images of Englands story are presented here, putting the great plays in a magnificent setting