The Cambridge Introduction to Shakespeare's History Plays

Cambridge Introductions to Literature

by Warren Chernaik

Shakespeare's history plays, as fresh today as when they were written, are based upon the assumption that time is not simply a destroyer but a preserver, and that 'examples past' might enable us to understand the present and anticipate the future. This lively 2007 study examines the continuing tradition of Shakespeare's history plays in stage and film productions as well as giving an account of the critical debate on these plays. Following two introductory chapters giving essential background on the genre, the English history plays are discussed in turn, bringing out the distinctive characteristics of each play: the three early Henry VI plays; the perennial stage favourite Richard III; King John; Richard II; Henry IV 1 and 2, famous for the character of Falstaff; Henry V, which is treated very differently in the film versions by Olivier and Branagh; and Henry VIII. An invaluable introduction to these fascinating and complex plays.

Genres: Shakespeare

222 pages, Paperback

First published October 31, 2007

Reviews

[Richard]

Although I would substitute the words "useful" for "invaluable" and "clear" for "lively", the publisher's back-cover blurb does a good job of describing the organization, main features, and strengths of this volume. After two helpful opening chapters that set out their historical context and summarize the critical debate, Chernaik introduces each of Shakespeare's ten English history plays in a logical and even fashion, with only Henry VIII a little underserved by its placement as an "epilogue". The detailed treatments of each play are workmanlike rather than revelatory, sometimes feeling closer to a walkthrough than an analysis, but where this volume is most interesting is in its use of references to (mostly) modern performances of the plays, with comments on interpretations from actors and directors that do more to illuminate some, although not all, of the plays than any attempt to summarize or synthesize critical approaches could hope to do in such a limited space. This straightforward approach means that The Cambridge Introduction to Shakespeare's History Plays works better than the series's companion volume on the comedies (reviewed here), although not quite as well as the volume on the tragedies (here).