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Henry VI Part I (1591–1592)
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message 51:
by
Marlin
(last edited Dec 30, 2023 03:00PM)
(new)
Dec 30, 2023 02:55PM
I must say that watching the "Hollow Crown" (Season Two, 2016) version of Henry VI Part 1 is far less daunting after having studied the play a bit with you two. So far it seems a fairly truncated version but at least I can sit back and enjoy it without the slightest problem with "the history". Happy New Year to you!
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I was immediately struck by yet again...a story opening with cosmos references. The kings death (and therefore life) is connected the cosmos and celestial activity. As well as his reign is causal of the health of the country and his death suggests the fall of the country. All within a couple of verse. It may not be the most visually appealing poetry but it is excellent for themes and meanings.
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Marlin...message 14..."Shakespeare may have deliberately avoided religious controversy (unlike some playwrights of his day, like Marlowe) but he cleverly replaces (subverts?) the very heated religious antagonism of the day with the godly and ungodly. In terms of English history I suppose Shakespeare wanted to leave it to the Elizabethan audience to decide which way true godliness descended among their countrymen. :D When the French are featured amongst themselves, particularly with regard to Joan, their language is peppered with allusions to God. But the English aren't having it. So, the issue of what might be considered true religion, though skirted in terms of specific contemporary references is nonetheless brought up in a historical framework. It's probably the furthest Shakespeare could safely venture. "
Gabriel...message 15..."The English comments on French witchcraft and sorcery seem to me to have a bit of a boomerang effect on those who pronounce them - they can't face the fact that the French sometimes beat the English so they have to explain it as 'unfair' recourse to witchcraft. The French of course are also satirised. Immediately after saying; 'Him I forgive my death that killeth me/ when he sees me go back one foot or fly' the Dauphin retreats and blames his fellows: 'What men have I? /dogs, cowards, dastards! I would ne'er have fled / but that they left me midst my enemies.' (I:ii). I think in this early period Shakespeare was happy to just regurgitate anti-French assumptions which he will later transcend, notably in All's Well."
