Shakespeare's Binding Language

by John Kerrigan

This remarkable, innovative book explores the significance in Shakespeare's plays of oaths, vows, contracts, pledges, and the other utterances and acts by which characters commit themselves to the truth of things past, present, and to come. In early modern England, such binding language was everywhere. Oaths of office, marriage vows, legal bonds, and casual, everyday profanity gave shape and texture to life. The proper use of such language, and the extent of its power to bind, was argued over by lawyers, religious writers, and satirists, and these debates inform literature and drama.

Shakespeare's Binding Language gives a freshly researched account of these contexts, but it is focused on Shakespeare's plays. What motives should we look for when characters asseverate or promise? How far is binding language self-persuasive or deceptive? When is it allowable to break a vow? How do oaths and promises structure an audience's expectations? Across the sweep of Shakespeare's career, from the early histories to the late romances, this book opens new perspectives on key dramatic moments and illuminates language and action. Each chapter gives an account of a play or group of plays, yet the study builds to a sustained investigation of some of the most important systems, institutions, and controversies in early modern England, and of the wiring of Shakespearean dramaturgy.

Scholarly but accessible, and offering startling insights, this is a major contribution to Shakespeare studies by one of the leading figures in the field.

Genres: Shakespeare, Nonfiction

636 pages, Hardcover

Published May 10, 2016

About the author

Pseudonym for Charles Whiting

Reviews

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Make no mistake, this is a scholarly book; there’s nothing breezy or informal about it. It’s also an excellent reference book to have on hand if you work with the plays discussed herein. What Kerrigan offers is of limited but inestimable value to actors, directors, and dramaturgs. There are also real gems buried in this book—snippets of history that contextualize language with brilliance and clarity. It was a tough read, but I’m glad I made the effort. Perhaps reading it a bit at a time, when doing so would help shed light on a particular play, would be a more pleasing experience than reading it straight through.

[Katheryn Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is a lot of interesting material in Shakespeare's Binding Language, which makes it a thought-provoking book to consult if you're thinking about binding language (oaths/vows/promises, bonds, or swearing). But its ambitious range makes for a lengthy (and sometimes frustrating) read that covers too much material to make a clear argument.