Richard III's Bodies from Medieval England to Modernity: Shakespeare and Disability History

Jeffrey Wilson's book explores the history of disability through various perspectives, including Shakespeare's plays, showing how Richard III has become an index for modern concerns about appearance, reality, individual will, social mobility, and discrimination.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 260 pages
Publication date: 02 October 2022
Publisher: Temple University Press,U.S.

Richard III will always hold a prominent position in the realm of English disability history, encompassing his dual identity as both a man and a myth. This remarkable figure, who was a disabled medieval king, has been transformed into a monstrous creature by the foremost artist of his nation. In his book, Richard IIIs Bodies from Medieval England to Modernity, Jeffrey Wilson delves into the captivating journey of disability across a span of 500 years. Through a meticulous exploration of various sources, including Richard's own manuscripts, early Tudor propaganda, and X-rays of sixteenth-century paintings, Wilson traces the evolving perspectives on disability. This rich tapestry includes Shakespeare's soliloquies, Samuel Johnson's editorial notes, the groundbreaking production of the first play by an African American Theater company, Freudian psychoanalysis, and the emergence of disability theater.

For Wilson, the shifting meanings of disability that emerge through Shakespeare's plays serve as a precursor to modern endeavors to comprehend Richard III's body within diverse disciplinary contexts. These include history, philosophy, sociology, and medicine. By theorizing Shakespeare's role in disability history, Wilson unveils how Richard III has become an invaluable index for addressing some of the core concerns of modernity. These concerns revolve around the interplay between appearance and reality, the clash between individual will and the external forces of nature and culture, the potential for upward social mobility, and the intricate dynamics of social interaction between individuals, including issues of discrimination, prejudice, hatred, oppression, power, and justice.

Through his meticulous analysis, Wilson sheds light on how Richard III's story continues to resonate with contemporary society. He highlights the ways in which the play explores themes of identity, power, and the human condition, offering valuable insights into the complexities of disability and its historical and cultural significance. Richard IIIs Bodies from Medieval England to Modernity is a groundbreaking work that not only deepens our understanding of Richard III but also contributes to the broader field of disability studies. It serves as a testament to the power of literature and artistic expression to shape our perceptions and understanding of the world, and it reminds us of the importance of exploring the diverse narratives and experiences of individuals who have been marginalized or excluded.

Dimension: 229 x 152 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781439922675